Oh, I may. He eyed her consideringly.“I’m debating it. The only thing stopping me is that I fear, reciprocated attraction or nay, you’d fight me like a wild animal were I to wrap you in my arms.”Her cheeks sucked in. And eyes lit with challenge.Confirming his suspicions.“With that said…” He tossed the apple in the air and by the time he caught it, he’d risen to his feet in a smooth motion. He crossed the fur rug in a long, graceful stride heading for her.“What are you doing?” She hissed. Backing up until she hit a wall. Leaning forward threateningly. Her eyes rolling to blood red as she prepared to defend herself.“The big, dangerous animal is coming to get you, Little Harpie.” He put a hand to the wall near her shoulder. His fist still clutching the apple as he hovered his body before hers. His lips nearly brushing her ear as he spoke.She watched him through narrowed eyes.He caught her chin and lifted it with a knuckle.Her lip was twitching in fury told Sebastian knew he was
She plotted to discover his weaknesses and leave this wretched castle with the amulet she’d seen still hanging about his chorded neck.A beacon of her purpose, I suppose. He grinned. Shifting happily in his red chair. Slinging an arm over the back as he put a leg over one armrest and kicked thoughtfully.He grunted. Staring at the ceiling above him thoughtfully. “Aren’t we frustrated, Little One?”He felt little remorse for taking her captive for trying to steal from him. Especially for this Prince of Air and Darkness.A creature of Radix’s? He wondered. Some dark Cimmerii?***Bast toyed with the flame of a candle on the table next to him. Pinching the wick and then releasing with dancing fingertips before leisurely scooped handful of exotic nuts from the bowl next to him. Firelight dancing over his features as he chewed.Riding along with her memories of coming to LandingTown with the other woman, watching Sebastian, sighting him as a target and studying his habits.Learning with th
Why that name? The valkyrie wondered but refused to think about it further.Elsabet headed down the corridor and Wrenny fell in line beside her.“Elsabet?” Wrenny asked catching the end of the conversation from the hall.“I know.”“I thought you were done with that name?”“As did I.” Elsabet said sharply.“No one has called you that since…”“Yes.” Elsabet cut the other girl off and bit down the memories it invoked.***Sebastian in his lair, was sorely disappointed she refused to indulge in them. I’d be curious to know why that name has such significance. And how the maid knew it.Bast’s leg swung over the armrest as he enjoyed the memories she rehashed. He reached to pull a book off the round table between the chairs, rolling it in his palms to keep his hands busy and his focus sharp. Anticipation heightening.Blonde hair hung loose over his shoulders. Brushing a beautifully cut overcoat which swathed over a loosely laced white shirt. Leaving his collarbone and the defined lines of h
Afraid is not the word.“She does not favor me.”“Then she is certainly not human!”Bast shook his head. “She most definitely is not.”If she were, she’d already be in my bed.Only now did Bast’s hand fall from Chavias’ chest.“So…What does she eat?” Chavias asked thoughtfully.“I’ve no idea.” Bast stiffened.“You may want to find out. Can you ask her?”Bast gestured to the upper level. “Did she look in a mood to chat?”Chavias grimaced, lifting his hands in surrender. “I was directed to back off, so I guess it’s not my dilemma to discern.”“You’re a terrible friend.”“Or” Chavias lifted a finger. “An exceptional one.”Bast glowered. “Have I mentioned there are days I could throttle you myself?”“You mean days you wish you could?”Bast eyed his dark friend. It’d be a great battle. His brow lifted.He noted the scars crossing Chavias’ cheeks and the particularly deep one rolling over his collarbone.Nearly a death blow.He’s been in more battles than most men have heard of.Sebastian w
Gasping, she lay there. Eyes the stormy blue of a rainy day glaring up at him.The kind of eyes that draw a man from across a crowded room.He had pitched her out of his mind like dirty clothing. “Best learn to heed me, woman.”He stared down at her. No shred of empathy on his face.Tongue to teeth she hissed again. Looking at him scathingly as she fumbled for a broken piece of ceramic still littering the floor. She hurled it at him weakly.His eyes roamed over her restlessly. Contemplating all the things he intended to do to her while she was captive. And what I may have her do to me.Feeling his animal beginning to respond to his sordid thoughts, he knelt next to her and moved a bit of hair off her face.“I don’t have to be cruel, Little Harpie. Stop making me.”She glowered unwaveringly.“I can do this as well.” He blew his lips and made a low whistling sound.Watching as her body tightened.She gasped at the sensations of his magic moving through her.Looking in her pretty blue ey
Elsabet was furious at being a captive. Frantic in her desperation to cling to her defiance and looking for a way out.And even more upset that I had her melting with wanting for me with a single, simple dream.The vision he’d injected into her of things he wished to do to her beautiful body. In response she’d shouted threats of her escape.She still doesn’t realize what she’s dealing with.“Get comfortable.” His breath sighed through the empty corridors like an eerie echo. “You’ll be here as long as I desire it…”“No.” Eyes shooting through the darkness, she found him gone, yet somehow still here. Filling these walls. She was beginning to realize that in one way or another Sebastian was everywhere here.***Hours crept by, as Elsabet clawed for a way out.Sebastian watched from the next room, feeling her movements through the wall.Nothing had been built before that could hold her. It amused him.She was beginning to look like a pet railing against domestication.“Why am I here?” She
“I’m sensing her.”Feeling her walking around and stewing in her fury. Sebastian was partially linked to her nearly constantly to monitor what she did, where she went and that she wasn’t trying to escape.“There a difference?” Mardichi queried, looking bored.“I’m only seeing her in my mind.”Not watching her.“And keepin’ track of ever’thing she does.” Mardichi shifted in the seat. “Gad, blessedly women canna do tha’ ta us. That’d be dreadful. They’d know wha’ foul creatures we are in truth.” His burr thickened as he grumbled.Bast had always noticed that it varied with Mardichi’s mood and how relaxed he was. And who he’s around.“You are.” Bast corrected.I have some honor.Earning him a black look from Mardichi. Bast added. “Do you truly think they don’t already know?”“Nay. They’re smart creatures.” Mardichi grudgingly admitted. Speaking awhile longer before growing certain Bast paid him no heed. Leading him to mutter about the deviled troubles with women as he rose and eventually
The next evening dragged on. A breeze coasted through Elsabet’s room. Rejuvenating the gold flakes pouring horizontally across the walls.Too weak to do much, she turned her head to trace their movements. Even that small action made her groan, putting a hand to her forehead. Blinking heavily, she fought off unconsciousness. Levelling her gaze on Lord Bodane who appeared in the doorway. Wearing a teal tunic, the same color as the penetrating gaze searing through her.“What do you want now?” Head heavy, she slumped further into the pillows. Eyeing him passively.It’s the first time she’s looked at me without distaste twisting her face.She’s too tired. She won’t last long if she doesn’t eat.Seeing how deathly pale she was, he suffered a pang of remorse. She was surrounded by dead curling feathers. Molting.He’d thought being a creature rather than a mortal she’d have more endurance, but he was finding her surprisingly fragile.Chavias said food was important. But I didn’t realize…He’d
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