She gaped at the horse.No one has seen anything like him. Sebastian thought proudly. Understanding her fascination.Her brows drew together as she felt his breath in her hair. His arms tightened around her reflexively as she trembled.“Cold?” He questioned.She shook her head vehemently.“Liar.” He brushed the back of his hand down the back of her upper arm. Feeling the bumps rising there.Hissing, she tossed a withering look over her shoulder.At first, he was taken aback to see her crimson eyes so close, he gathered his composure and wiped his expression.It’s blood filling them in her rage.She was considering killing my horse. He reminded himself.“Can you not but once, tell me the truth, Little Harpie?” His tone was flat as he realized she’d likely been considering attacking Sivikon. “You should know I may kill you if you harm him. He’s my oldest friend.”She cracked her neck in an action that caused other creatures to give her space. “I’m surprised you have any at all.”“Touché
Elsabet’s eyes were huge. Aghast at his comment. Her jaw tightened but she said nothing.Oh, please. He thought. Accuse me of bluffing… He hoped.Because I’m not. And he’d be willing to prove that she was in the early stages of arousal already. Despite her hatred of men, her body was reacting to her nearness.“How about this then, My Girl. I’ll have you bound in that chamber and make damn certain it’s my hand that feeds you, you’re every meal. And my hands that tend your needs. Until your duly tamed.” His words a soft vow, he took a step toward her.And that’s no bluff.She backed up to keep the distance he was trying to close.But he descended on her just the same. Backing her against the castle wall.Where to now, Lovely? He watched her face. Waiting for her to react. His arms at his side and his head cocking with interest as though she were some fascinating new species.In truth, she is. I’ve never heard of her kind afore.He watched her gaze flick across the ground, to the horse a
In Elsabet’s mad flight down the corridor, trying to get away from Sebastian in the courtyard, she spotted a suit of armor. It was under a skylight displayed on her right.Chavias’ old armor. Sebastian caught her eyeballing it from the other end of the hall. He recalled displaying it to honor Chavias’ many victories in battle against the demon force.Elsabet sidestepped over to it, making her decision.What in Ardae is she going to do with that?There was zero chance of the massive armor fitting her. But it made sense as he saw her unbuckling the dagger and sword sheaths.She slipped them over her shoulders and cinched the dagger around her waist. Eased by the familiar feel of a blade at her back.Sebastian rounded the corner as she put them in place, chuckling. HeComforted by tiny blades. It was amusing.If she only knew I could bite right through them in my Primary shape.He reached for her, but she took a long step, sliding from his reach. His laughter intensified. “You think now
Even Rhyers took a cautious step back at the ferocious sight of Sebastian fighting turning into a dragon. “You best soothe your ire, Friend, before…”I change.Yes, I’m quite aware. His mouth whitened.We both know what’ll happen if I change here, in the castle. He gave Rhyers a quick look that had the tracker backing up further. Giving him space.The castle was constructed and balanced by magic. That kind of explosion of it, could rend it asunder. Not to mention in his full form he would tear out the staircase above him, spread walls in the hall and break walls.Before I’d ever be able to change back.Taking a moment to calm his indignation and shock, Bast wrenched the damp tunic apart. Tearing it loudly and jerking it free from his breeches to toss it to the floor. In a wrinkled clump.“You tried to kill me?” His brows lifted.She hissed through her teeth. Red eyes unblinking as she stared at him, trying to assess what was happening.And how much threat she’s under.“A little excess
“Do you challenge me, My Lady?” His voice was quiet.“Remove yourself from my person, Lord.” She offered his title with equal derision.“I’m not in your person.” The mocking note in his voice incited her further.Yet.“Back up.”“And if I shan’t?”She was livid.Something scraping along the floor drew her attention. She barely caught the movement of something small and dark slipping from shadow to shadow behind the gold lord. Looking for all the world like a miniature version of the gold creature Sebastian became.“My name is Sebastian.” He grated through gritted teeth. Averting her attention from the creature creeping behind him.Shaking her head dismissively she lifted her gaze to meet his squarely.Let her think she imagined it.“What is it you want?” She demanded.Relaxing, he smiled arrogantly. Opening his mouth to answer, he was cut off.“You shan’t have that.” She gave him her back in a flash of white tunic and tan breeches. Several glances over her shoulder revealed her fear h
Sebastian returned to his library but found Rhyers absent. Likely in his room. Each knight had their own chamber upstairs for their constant visits. The castle helps us heal. Bast was thankful for that. He ran a palm over his shoulder and chest, feeling the swell of the scars she’d left. She nearly gutted me. And it was the first time he consciously appreciated his ability to heal nearly as fast as he was injured. He wondered at her strange defensive reaction. There’s something about her. Something happened to her… Someone hurt her. He flopped backward in his red and gold chair. Watching the dancing of the fire. His book limp in his hand resting on the table. What to do with her? He relaxed as much as he was able. Closing his eyes, he felt the tether he had lashed her with. She was pacing her chamber. Still enraged at her foiled attempt at escape. And confuse
SEBASTIAN “Could you do it?” Lucien Sabias asked Sebastian out of Deragan’s hearing range. Absolutely not. It’d be too painful. “If I found a mate. I’d never let her go.” Bast shook his head. “It’s a fact that he spends more time without her then he gets with her.” “By the time he finds her again, charms her, and weds her, Radix is already on his heels.” Lucien concurred. They shared a solemn silence. “But on their wedding night?” Lucien said bitterly. “That’s callous even for Radix Malorum.” Nothing is beyond his evil. That much Sebastian had learned over the years. “Not even one night together.” Bast shook his head sadly. Feeling the pain of the night seeping in like bitter sap. “His Honeymoon and he’s burying his wife.” Chavias Derenoe joined the conversation. “It’s no wonder we go to battle.” “It’s a wonder he hasn’t lost his mind...” Mardichi’s dry
I’ll rip out the demon’s throat. That fantasy calmed him. He needs to know agony. As he’s shown me time and again. He felt the echo of hunger for violence in his warriors as their eyes flashed through fog. Next to Deragan, Bast’s gaze was fixed on the Cimmerii demon. Radix’s lip curled above his gray beard at the knights’ refusal to show fear as they all stared him down. He was surrounded by Cimmerii rodents, toad like things haunting his steps. Making it look like he crossed a shimmering black pool. There are more concealed in the trees. Deragan knew. Radix would never so readily bait himself without being certain he could survive it. Coasting overhead Deragan scanned the dense coverage of trees. But saw nothing beyond the green canopy. He’s far underestimated us. His dragons began raining from the sky. *** Branches shattered behind Deragan and saw a battali
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