“A hell of a skill.” Acharius muttered dryly at Sebastian’s self-deprecating statement. Acharius ran a large hand through long dishwater blonde hair.
“My unfailing logic is what allows me be unendingly selfish whilst telling myself I’m a reasonably good man.” Bast grinned.
“You’re the best sort of man.” Acharius corrected, grudgingly before tipping his head to nudge his flat forehead against Sebastian’s in farewell.
He turned and strode in the direction of the Netherlands. Pushing trees apart and stepping over a low shrub to begin making his way.
To relieve Rhyers.
Acharius never left his den unguarded.
Or the things in it.
Sebastian heard a couple running steps and a hop and knew it would be Acharius turning into a wolf.
He caught a glimpse of a furred silver tail vanishing into the leaves.
“As are you, old friend.” Sebastian murmured.
Glancing around the side of the carriage, Nora s
It’ll take it less time to reach the humans and rake them open than it’ll take me to get to them.Stopping his loping toward the group, he began swaying side to side, electing to keep the Nonis focus on him. That’s right. Eyes on me, little devils. It’ll be me that tears you to pieces…In his peripheral, he saw the Cimmerii Guardsman with his sword pointed at the twin men. But he couldn’t look away from the Cimmerii now. If he broke contact with their gaze, they’d attack those that were closer. Less threatening. Wincing, he kept his focus on the Nonis.Taking a barely perceptible step at a time. His paws barely lifting, as he inched forward. Willing the Guardsman. Don’t slice anyone, you stupid little man. Something underfoot cracked and the Guardsman’s gaze flew to Sebastian. A feral sleek-furred creature, as pitch as the night. With only the moon’s glow behind him to outline his pre
The awful sound was such a cry of pain and suffering, that it would’ve likely woken every Forever Knight in the country. Bast felt the pain of the confused animal, tearing through his mind. Ripping his heart asunder. He’d heard that kind of agony before.Usually from The Alpha. Once from Calisto Merlinus when she’d lost her mate. But never from...Mardichi? And he was certain that was who he’d heard mournfully howling tonight. Bast ran out into the hall where Elsabet intercepted him, fumbling for a grip on his clothes in an attempt to stop him. She heard it. She felt it. “Whatever it is, don’t go!” She grasped for his sleeve, but he danced from her reach and ran past her. Catching the banister, he swung himself around and jumped the railing to land in the foyer below. “It’s something horrible. Pain has happened. Don’t go!” She screamed. Her voice shrill and terrified.
Realizing what Mardichi needed, Sebastian tugged his tunic from his shoulders and tossed it in the corner. Dropping to the floor, he forced his body into a meditative state despite the pain he knew would arise. Ready to take it on. Give me strength.He willed, as he always did when he did this. Drawing a long breath, he let the marks winding his torso move to his shoulders and back. Adjusting as tiny claws erupted, digging through his skin to let shining gold creatures spill from his back, sides and chest. Thumping to the floor and scrambling outside to pour across the meadow embracing the house. He muttered a prayer under his breath and forced his body still. Swaying under the rending and jerking of the dragons separating from his flesh. As soon as one tore free, his body would attempt to seal the skin in a great effort to heal. But another would tear through that new flesh and raw nerves. It too would drop out and scurry away.
Mardichi understood the pain Bast suffered when doing this. He knew Bast was making a great sacrifice in order to help him, but Mardichi’s rage was too powerful to offer his friend the proper thanks, right now. Finally, Bast materialized in the doorway, weak, white, and sweating. He’d thrown his tunic back over his shoulders, but blood soaked through in several spots. “Will you soon be ready to return to the stronghold?” Mardichi queried. Observing his brethren’s wan state, a bit worriedly. Bast nodded and blew a long breath. “Are you?” Mardichi nodded, teeth gritted. “Where will we bury your son?” Bast winced as he uttered the words. Knowing they had to be hard for Mardichi to hear. Bast ached for his friend. He was going to help him bury his baby before they went anywhere. Mardichi won’t leave otherwise. And neither would Bast. He couldn’t even fathom that level of agony. He imagined how he’d feel
Still glaring up at him and chin jutting, her hands shot out. It was a movement so fast, he jerked. His skin glittered in the firelight as iridescent gold scales migrated below a thin layer. Ready to emerge as he fought to control his reaction to her sudden attack. Don’t change. You’ll hurt her.He told himself. Or perhaps myself. He thought ruefully. Considering how weak I am. She fisted the shoulders of his shirt and wrenched it apart with surprising strength. Fabric tore from him. Billowing down to rest along his hips, still tucked at his waist. Now, she’s taking my clothes off?He thought forlornly. Of all the times I longed for her to do that! His head reared back as he swayed from the aggressive movement. His gaze narrowed on her, as he considered what she was about. He fought the urge to retreat from the ferocity on her beautiful face. What is s
“Tell them!” She ceased pacing to shout. What does she want me to tell them? That I wander to help them? That I get hurt aiding one, and still go to rescue another. No. They would stop calling for me. “No.” He frowned. “What purpose would that serve? There’s no need for them to know.” “You’re serious!” She was askance. “You think there’s no need?” Her voice was rising to a dangerous note. What am I missing? He was baffled, eyeing her warily, as she harrumphed and knelt at his feet. Forcing herself into his eyeline. He was aware of the hurt written over his face, as she hurled judgements. “I’ve never tried to upset you.” He murmured. “I hate to see your unhappiness.” “Then take me with you.” She put her hands to his knees and leaned up near his face, making her inescapable. “When?” He asked, turquoise eyes wide. Trying to buy a bit of time to think
He hardly noticed he was holding his breath. He could barely recall another instance where she had come into his arms so willingly. Her hands now worked into his sleeves, trailing her palm warmly on the sinews of his arms. She slid them down his arms to reach the cuffs. Hooking them with lifted fingers and drawing them down of his arms. Pulling it over his head and tossing it in the blue chair before clasping his forearms and pulling them around her hips as she dragged him. Walking backward out of the library and up the stairs. Blue gaze captivating him. Stripping me? Kissing me? This isn’t what it seems.He warned himself as his hand landed on the railing. His other forearm clutched in her fists. He was trying to tell himself it was a trap. His rational brain warning him of all kinds of dark scenarios she might be enacting. She’s angry with me. She’s going to do something awful. Probably try to get
She didn’t say anything back. Despite the heartrending declaration he’d just made. He wanted to ask. More than he’d ever wanted anything. But the light trailing of her tongue along the gold length of his neck up to his ear had him purring as he tipped his head to offer her more. He heard the swish of soft fabric and guessed that she was shedding that silky lavender gown that had framed the curves on her small frame like a second skin. He heard a second hush of it. Guessing those were sleeves one and two. She wiggled slightly and when she leaned over him, the graze of those breasts, was pure feminine skin along his flesh. He groaned in delightful misery. His fingers curling into the bedding. “Woman!” He objected into his pillow. “Stay.” She gave a light shove at the back of his head. She moved gold blonde hair off his neck. Letting the waves sit alongside his shoulder. Before she began kissing down the back of his neck in a way
Later that night, as Elsabet slept, Sebastian found himself sitting in the library. In his luxurious red chair next to the fire. The one he so often shared with Elsabet.He tilted forward in the seat, then leaned back. Rocking his body since the chair, on its stationary legs, could not.He slowly lulled the tiny being in his arms. Bright gold curls framed her small round face. And little hands flailed sleepily. Looking for something to hold onto.When Elsabet had curled into a ball and murmured that she needed to rest, he’d taken the baby and retreated downstairs. Sensing that Elsabet was grieving the loss of her own freedom. Resenting her own surrender.And the reasons she had to do it.
Elsabet giggled, then grunted in pain. Holding her abdomen as pain knifed deep into her center.Bast tightened in fear, but before he could question her the pain seemingly subsided. She relaxed and her hands slid away.“He is right though.” Sebastian said quietly, seeing she was alright. His words caused Elsabet to glance back at him. “She is as fair a beauty, as her mother.”Confusion crossed Elsabet’s face. She looked lost, not understanding something.“What is it?”“I’ve never heard people discussing me as though it’s fact that I’m fair to look upon.”“Fair!” Sebastian said incredulously. “You’re far more than fair. As I’ve told you on many an occasion!”Does she jest?Both men looked shocked.“I thought you said that, merely for the sake of being charming.”“Does she not know?” Alazareth blurted, staring at her astounded. Eventually he gave Sebastian a horrified look. “Clearly not.” Seba
Sebastian looked at his twin, Alazareth, to answer his question. “Her name is Sebet. After her beautiful mother.”Sebastian’s gaze returned to Elsabet and he noted her shocked expression. Her stormy blue eyes were huge, awash with emotion.“What?” He queried.“You’d name her after me?”Of course.“I name her after my greatest treasure.” His eyes returned to his new daughter, and he missed the flicker of pain flashing over her face at being referred to as something she would’ve considered property.Alazareth noticed her agony and his gaze slid to his brother who was absorbed in murmuring to the curly haired little girl. Blissfully happy to see her. Alazareth couldn’t bear the thought of stealing his brother’s moment of joy, to point it out to him.Elsabet’s gaze fell to her hands, and her expression was anguish.Sebastian would’ve noticed instantly, any other moment. But this one, all he could see was his new daughter.
Sebastian gave Elsabet’s hand a quick squeeze. Leaning over her and pressing a quick kiss to her forehead.We can’t lose our daughter. He tried to push Agatha’s warning aside. But he was afraid. Very afraid.Elsabet screamed in pain.The ground under their feet quaked as she moaned in pain. Stones cracked and corners of moldings fractured and fell away. Bits of stone fell like rain from the outside of the building, past the window slits.“I’m here.” He whispered against her forehead. Leaning over her. As he did, he exuded enough magic to steady WaterRose against her unconscious swells of it.There was suddenly the vivid smell of blood and unknown fluids, an odor that terrified Sebastian in its foreignness.Agatha began shouting excitedly while Mags soothingly coached Elsabet on what to do.Then Agatha made a sudden rapid movement and swept her other hand under the coverlet draped over Elsabet’s knees.There wa
Once he felt the energy of the stronghold steady, he felt it was safe for him to go upstairs. He needed to stay collected. If the both of them were in chaos, the stronghold could peel itself apart.Bast hurried up the steps and turned into the flat hall. Pulling himself around the banister to rush his pace. He hurried to her chamber, only to come to an abrupt halt at the chamber just before hers.The door was open and inside was Sebastian’s twin brother.Alazareth was sitting in a chair inside the room. His back to the wall so he could hear everything within the next room. Worry was on his face, and he was massaging the back of his jaw. A motion that always indicated severe tension. Alazareth was always composed.This is bad. “What is it?” Bast’s steps slowed.“Something is wrong.” Alazareth’s jaw ticked.Oh, no… Sebastian tensed. His fists working at his sides as he waited. “What?”
Dread Hideout, Dread CountrySighing, Acharius headed back toward his caves. His huge form should’ve lumbered, but he moved far lighter than he should’ve for his size. His blonde hair hung to his shoulders, a few warrior braids near his face. A fur was slung over his back with a bow and a quiver over that.He lifted the bow over his head just as he reached his chamber but paused when Alazareth’s voice summoned him back out. “Acharius!”The viking’s head whipped in the direction of the opening. Noting it was odd for Alazar to come here.Acharius ducked slightly as he emerged from the lower mouth of the cave. His massive size blocked the darkness beyond him. “Alzareth?”His eyes moved to the identical figure next to him. “Bast?” His voice dropped in concern. “What is it?”“What is it?” Acharius asked.“We need the women.” Alazar responded.“Mags and Aggie?” Acharius looke
“Elsabet?” Sebastian called, having just arrived back at WaterRose, he was frantic to check on her.To see if she’s alright. If our babe is.“Yes?” She called from upstairs.He followed the sound of her voice up to her chamber. Finding her still abed. “Are you well today? Is there anything you need?”“I’m exhausted.” She sighed wistfully.Drawing near, he saw that her ripe belly seemed to have grown overnight, straining her petite frame.“I feel weak. But better. The pain is less.” She swept hair from her forehead so she could better look at him. Blue eyes lovely.“Come.” She waved him over.He walked to her.She caught his larger hand in hers. Rubbing the back of it with a soft thumb pad.He turned his hand to link his long fingers through her small ones and let her pull him down next to her.She scooted over and he was swallowed by the warmth of where she’d lain. Feeling that rare heat he only pe
Elsabet eventually fell asleep.Sebatian was wide awake behind Elsabet. Careful not to bump her wounded back. He suspected that, like him, if she were able to change shape she could go far in the way of healing.But she can’t. Her body wouldn’t let shift while there was an infant in her womb.He stroked her hair.She made small sounds of distress that told him she was either having a nightmare or suffering the throes of her fever.“It’s okay, sweetheart.”“Why weren’t you there?” She whimpered again.She doesn’t believe I was. That made him feel like he’d let her down, even though he had been there. He laid with her for a long while.When he did finally move to go and began sliding his arm from beneath her head, she abruptly caught his forearm and wrist. “Stay.”He did. Because he could deny her so very little.It was hours before he did slip away. He made it to the door that time
“Sebastian. Sebastian…” Elsabet moaned. Throwing her head side to side.“I’m here.” He told her. Crouched next to the bed, holding her hand. His expression was rife with worry as he saw her suffering.She was so strong, seeing her this weak was painful. She was fighting against something she couldn’t see.For both her and my daughter. Sebastian’s throat felt raw, and his face was swollen from the emotions he had while sitting at her side.“Where are you?” She murmured, tossing her head. She was covered in sweat. The fever had taken hold and now wreaked its cruel havoc.“I can’t find you!”“I’m here, sweetheart.” He said brokenly.“Why won’t you come?” She whispered urgently.He realized she was dreaming, perhaps reliving that moment in the grove. Wherever she was, his voice wasn’t reaching he