I hate being behind schedule. Sebastian watched the FireStar draw port in LandingTown.
Behind schedule. He noted. Again.
The one thing that kept the chaos in Sebastian’s life carefully reined in was his meticulous devotion to being on schedule in all things he could control.
Like my ship. His first mate was trusted to go on the regular runs to the Isle in his place. Under the condition that he is on time when he returns!
As it drew port and the gangway was slapped down, Bast’s boots clicked sharply along the wood. “Boy!”
What the hell was the delay?
“No’ a boy!” A short man rippling with muscle met him on the deck. Glowering beneath a riot of black curls.
Bast spotted the familiar face.
Boy had a furious expres
“I came here to help you, you sniveling shit.” Alazareth threw over his shoulder. “Good to see your smiling face in the morning!” Bast waved at his back. Bast sighed and jogged forward to stride next to his twin. Alazareth shot him a sideways glance, his eyes narrowed in irritation. Which meant Bast was already getting under his skin today. “So happy to see you’ve healed well.” Alazareth remarked. Making Bast wince. “From which injury?” “Take your pick.” Bast eyed him on a wince. “I’d have preferred to choose none of them.” Ignoring him, Alazareth remarked. “So, I come all the way over here from Nightway, and find you snoozing the day away.” Bast heard steps and realized Boy had eased away and was now diligently cinching ropes around the main mast. Still close enough to hear, he was snickering. “Enjoy my pain, Boy.” Bast remarked. “Wait until the cart wheels are turning and your headache sets in.”
“I haven’t any idea…” Bast told the Weldons. He twisted to look at Alazareth. “Wasn’t me.” His twin shook his head. Denying that he’d delivered goods to the elderly couple. Alazareth looked equally as surprised as Sebastian did. “I wouldn’t have come all the way out here if I’d known.” That’s true. “They brought many of us supplies…” Mr. Weldon murmured, drawing Bast’s attention. “All through the country. We thought it was you…” “Sebastian?” Ms. Weldon said. “I don’t know who he was, but his men jokingly called themselves ‘The Seditious.’ Perhaps that helps?” “Yea, yea!” Mr. Weldon recalled. Pointing to Bast animatedly. “And they called him their king. We knew he wasn’t though, because no king looks that rough.” Mr. Weldon’s hand fell. “I noticed it was odd too, because it wasn’t yer highness, or anything fancy. Just ‘my king’.” “Bast!” Alazar barked from behind him. Lurched up enough to stand on the bench. He waved h
After Bast sent Alazar off with much of the exported goods, he took what he’d had unloaded in another cart and ordered his first mate back to the Isle of Wight for another load before he began the long trek back to WaterRose with the remaining cart. It had a lone mule pulling it. He didn’t need to touch the horse for it to nuzzle the back of his neck and clop along behind him. He chuckled and rubbed its neck. “You are a good lad, I see that.” The mule was one that Alazareth had loaned him for the job but during the trek, Bast was growing rather fond of the thing. Though Sebastian was happy to be taking a cartload of gifts and fine foods back to WaterRose with him, he couldn’t help but be disappointed by the time it was taking. It was nearly dark that night by the time he arrived. He found himself growing increasingly excited to return knowing she was there. If I hurry, I may make dinner with her.Another chance to see her pretty
“I’ve no idea!” He was too stunned at this unexpected onslaught to recall. “Too many to count?” She sneered perceptively. Not in the way you mean.He floundered. “I was swimming, not loving.” “Is there a difference?” She demanded, seething. Of course, there is! “Yes! I don’t swim withyou!” Wrong thing to say.He guessed from the livid expression on her face. “I am well-aware of that!” She raged. I’m losing whatever this is. He realized. Badly. “Can we just…Calm down?” He put his hands out in a staying gesture but found it hurt since her hands were still embedded in the muscles near his shoulders. “No!” She said firmly. Forcefully shoving him back. His hips caught on the edge of her bed, and he tipped back until falling roughly. Gasping in surprise.When did I get here? How’d she… “Elsabet…I’ll ask
The source of Elsabet’s recent mood changes would soon be made clear to Sebastion. It began this morning. Peaceful as it was. It started with him watching Elsabet warily from across the table at luncheon. Grimacing at the sounds she was making as she quenched her ravaging hunger. She sounded as though she was starving to death. He wondered how much she’d been eating while he was gone. Does she not eat while I’m away. That had unlocked a whole passel of new fears. He sat across the width of the table from her, and twice already had been splashed with mashed potatoes launched off her trencher as she forced the food into her mouth in handfuls. She rummaged through the platter of chicken. Plucking at the browned skin of the legs until finding the pinkest one, which she tilted her head up to devour nearly whole. He cringed again. “Hungry sweetheart?” She paused, blue eyes lifting to look at him. So beautiful it
Sebastian was happy to be home, he realized that evening. As he lay next to Elsabet in his bed.Happier to be in her arms.Her slim frame was tucked against his side. Cheek resting on his chest.He stroked her long silver blonde hair. Watching the shining strands course through his fingers, thoughtfully.“What are you thinking?” She murmured against his chest. Warming the skin she breathed against.“I’m thinking of your warm belly on my hip.”Partially. And the warm mound of it. Wondering how to discuss it without scaring you away.“And?”“Do you wish me to simply blurt what I know not how to say?” He queried softly. Knowing if he tried it would come out in a way that only made her angrier.“Will it hurt me?” He felt her body tense in fear.No. It’ll make you want to fight.And I’m very much enjoying this moment. He frowned. He wasn’t ready for it to end. Not just yet
“Elsabet?” He murmured during dinner later in the day. Hoping to prompt some conversation from her.She’d been painfully quiet since yesterday.Please talk to me. He willed her. Missing her zest for the meal from yesterday.She looked up from her trencher of food.He’d been joining her at one corner of the long table. But tonight, he sensed he was unwelcome since he’d told her he wouldn’t release her. She hadn’t said a word to him in months and it was making him ache inside.How much longer will this go on?She no longer crept into his room to warm his lonely nights.He spent them instead listening to her up in her chamber, from his chamber in the servant’s quarters. Soothed by the sounds of her slumber but torn asunder, nonetheless.What’ve I done?The absence of her affections was agonizing. And he wondered constantly about the impending introduction to his child.Will I get to meet her?
“A girl?” Elsabet said softly. Echoing it as if in disbelief.“Yes.”He could feel her, her energy tightening. A swirl of fear and heart ache and so many emotions. As always, Elsabet was contained emotion. Boiling with it.“What will you name her?” He whispered. He wanted to ask her let him help pick one. He yearned to sit with her in their chambers discussing it. Watching the orange glow of a waning fire with her body warming his.When I can never feel heat any other time.The curve of her stomach and slight rounding of her hips was apparent to him now. He wanted to trace them and learn her new shape in the ways that only a lover could.“Please…Elsabet please talk with me.” He knew bone deep, that she was going to leave without a word more. But when she did it still felt like he was a rock sinking alone to the bottom of a pond.Once she’d gone, he collapsed limply back into the chair. Dropping his face to his hands. Sh