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Comforting Shadows
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2024-10-29 19:42:56It was a fine art, drawing with a quill. But after so many centuries, Sebastian had mastered it.
Eventually, he tilted his head to inspect his finished work. Only when he was satisfied that it was a true depiction, did he turn to the next page. And then the words flowed.
Dipping the quill over and over. He scribbled tormented thoughts in the light of a tiny candle. Though he didn’t truly need it, it offered some comfort in the darkness.
His guilt eased in increments with each confessing page. He purged pain and longing, as best as he could. Filling the pages with his need for closeness with Elsabet. And his desire to hold her.
He articulated his dream of a day when he could reach for her and know she’d turn into his touch, rather than him risking the likelihood of rejection if he reached for her. All the complexities of this life with her was, ironically, wearing him down. Whereas she still stood fast.
Like a boulder in the tides
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Calisto offered a fond smile and tilted her head. “And then you fell in love.” Calisto shrugged playfully as she gazed at Elsabet. “You couldn’t have helped it. And why not, for that matter?” “But it’s with the most impossible man!” She slammed her fist to her thigh in frustration. “I know.” Calisto said, softening her voice. She was faintly surprised that Elsabet didn’t bother arguing the point. Sensing that saying anything further would just fuel the aggravation Elsabet tried to assimilate against Bast. Calisto would be no part of that. After a long silence Elsabet asked the oddest question. “Did he win?” “Win?” “Bast. The swim races?” “He sometimes won.” Calisto frowned. She remembered propelling herself through the water like an engine. Often cheating and using her magic to make the water carry her along. Still Bast, ever a strong swimmer, often reached the island first. “I don’t know how…” She confided. “He
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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?”
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Elsabet’s hair lifted along the back of her head, darkening to brown. Her eyes burned red and long black claws jutted from her nails.She’s feeling what I do. Everything in this clearing suddenly felt wrong.Her reaction only alarmed Sebastian more. It meant she intended to fight instead of run.No, Elsabet. Sebastian ran from the bank and stepped into the knee-deep water, backing next to Elsabet as he scanned the ground and the trees above them. He knew that the nonis were nothing compared to the Sarabi that could descend from the sky without any warning.He curled his tail around her hips, to know where she was.No. Sebastian’s heart thrummed like a drumbeat. You can’t hurt her. I won’t let you. Shifting human would do him no favors. His reactions were stronger and faster as the panther. I don’t have time nor room to turn into a dragon. How did they find me? He
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Radix lifted the goblet in Chavias’s direction. Sloshing some of Chavias’s blood on his skinny, gnarled fingers and black nails. “Let’s see what secrets you’ve let up today.”Radix gulped the fluid down. So greedily that it ran down the corners of his mouth.Radix was heedless. Focused on the visions running behind his eyes.Chavias’s memories peeled through his mind. Images of Chavias laughing with his gold-haired friend. Or playfully sparring with the others. Then the world darkened into an endless stream of days in his miserable cell in the caves.The blood was tainted with Chavias’s misery giving it a bitter flavor.Which had been the moment that Chavias had gained control over the pain. Feeding into his blood the most mundane memories he possessed.Radix spit the last swallow of Chavias’s blood out. Not caring for the taste of those memories of his cavernous prison.“Strong stronghold?” Okine chirped hopefully. Wondering if Radix
