Chapter 13: Goodnight, My Wolf

“I had frostbite. And was weak as a babe.”

“That would’ve been a jolly sight!” Mardichi jested. Slapping Bast’s back, softening his approach when he saw the blonde man wince again. “Ye truly aren’t well, are ye?”

“I miss Merlinus.”

“I will find him.” Tev emphasized. “I’ll take Rhyers if needed.”

“You are rejoining us then?” Bast brightened slightly.

“If you’ll have me?”

“Of course, they will.” Serdephe murmured contentedly leaning further into him. “As long as you don’t leave me.”

“I think she means that.” Mardichi pointed to the sleepy woman.

“She does.” Tev affirmed.

“I’ll kill you if you try to disappear again.”

“Again?” Bast asked, intrigued.

“Tis a long story.”

“I have time.” Bast settled his elbows atop the table and tucked his chin into his palms with the cheery grin of a child awaiting a grand tale.

“Ye’re avoiding returning ta see if yer valkyrie is enraged at ye.” Mardichi said.

Bast shot him a black look. Receiving a momentary reprieve when the innkeeper rushed to the table with a missive in hand. Bast grunted and lifted a staying palm.

“He insists me give it ta ye, Me Lord. I’ve told ’im yer answer willna change.”

Mardichi frowned and eyed the bit of folded parchment the man had set before Bast. Seeing it was marked with a familiar twining ‘SJ’, Mardichi palmed it and gave it a quick look over before dismissing it. Standing he urged. “Come Friend. Let’s leave Little Brother ta tuck in his unladylike li’l lass and ye and I shall return ta WaterRose together ta see if she’ll emerge. I’d give ’er methanks.”

Bast gave him a long look. Touched at the barbarian’s moment of sympathy. “Thank you.”

“I know what ’tis ta wonder where me woman has gone.” Mardichi slapped Bast’s shoulder, crumpling the parchment he held.

Teverius walked the purple haired woman back to her cottage. Constantly slapping her hands off of him as she wove them under his shirt to rise up his back or caress along his defined chest.

Despite all her fondling touches and roaming hands, he’d managed to escort her to the cottage and kiss her hand soundly to bid her farewell. “Goodnight Serdephe.”

In return, she’d risen on tiptoes and pressed her lips to his in a quick peck.

“Ser!” He objected.

She smiled in pleasure at his use of the nickname. Shushing him as she drunkenly palmed his face. Sliding her hand down in a gesture he was sure she intended as seductive. It caught his bottom lip and drug it midway down his chin.

But it’s bordering on painful.

“Go. Leave so you may return to me.” She whispered.

When he turned to comply, she laughingly swatted his backside.

He whipped around to chastise her.

“Goodnight, My Wolf!” She laughingly closed the door on his grumbling.

He stared at the wooden plank, stunned. Before shaking his head in bemusement. “Goodnight Serdephe. I don’t think in all my years I’ve seen another creature quite the like…”