“Are you running from me?” She called after his retreating back. Laughing loudly in an exaggerated mimic of how he often laughed at her when she fled their discussions.
Halfway across the room he rounded. “Fine, Elsabet. Women do fall at my feet. They do beg for my attention. But I want the one woman in all of Ardae who isn’t falling at my feet. I do everything I can to get closer to you. Yet you won’t give me an inch. Of course, your constant anger, your fear, your endless rage cannot hurt me.”
She straightened.
“Isn’t that what you already think?” He asked a bit quieter.
She hasn’t hurt me. She’s crushed me. But those were words, power, he couldn’t give to her.
She didn’t answer. Which was answer enough for him.
Groaning in frustration he stalked from the room. But it was clear to Elsabet, and every wolf within hearing range, that she had hurt him.
Rhyers wandered down the hall. Passing her room and
The answer to his own question came to Sebastian immediately. To torment her. Why does the demon ever come for her? It was the same process every time. “He doesn’t much care anymore.” Deragan stared ahead. Unreadable as ever, but Sebastian knew the pain of it was crippling. “He just wants to have her under his sway. He believes that controlling her as a weapon against me, would be my undoing.” Sebastian knew the immense power and strength, boy physical and mental, of his alpha. But he knew that if Radix did ever manage to pull her under his wing, it would do exactly as intended. I don’t know if he could take it. Deragan had been through much over the years. Endless pain. And he’d endured it all. For his pack. And for her. Always, she comes back to him. It was the most painful love story in history. At least, in Sebastian’s opinion. And it all unfolded beyond human eyes.
Deragan watched him vanish over Gunnison Forest, seeing he intended to land within the trees. There was the slight scrape of branches and the rustle of rich green leaves. As he lowered. Sweeping his wings gradually enough to not draw attention in the distance. Deragan waited for Acharius to lower to his feet and get changed into human form so they could converse. Deragan and Sebastian met him on the hillside beyond Worthington Manse, well from the prying eyes of the cimmerii nonis, rats, that crept all around the mansion. Keeping watch. Sebastian knew. The tiny slinking creatures were Radix’s favorite spies. They were small enough to often go unnoticed. In minutes, the massive man strode from the trees, looking every inch the fearsome viking he’d once been. With curling blonde hair blowing, and his blonde beard enhancing the sharp line of his broad jaw, he looked fierce as hell. I wouldn’t elect to fight him, had I not tra
Acharius was silent, wanting to argue. But after a time, he left. Sebastian waited patiently until he was in the air and returning to the Dread Country Hideout before blurting the question plaguing him. “Why assign him to watch over her?” “It’s too late.” Deragan watched him fading into the distance. “He’s already besotten with the girl. He just doesn’t know how to tell us yet…” “You sure that’s why he can’t admit?” “Perhaps, it’s himself he does not wish to confess it to. Is that what you’re implying Sebastian?” Sebastian nodded. “But how did you know he was enduring such a conflict?” Deragan hesitated. As if searching for a way to explain. “You hear their thoughts. I pick up on what they feel.” “You’re empathic?” Sebastian was a bit confused. Wondering how he never knew that. Not surprising since Deragan shares so little. The alpha had always been a reserved sort. Even back when he was captaining a fo
Her shoulders slumped in defeat, as she looked over the edges of the tower. Her voice nearly masked by the rushing rivers of water flooding around them. “I suppose you consider being up here like flying?” He frowned at her, but the corners of his mouth tipped up. “This is nothing like flying.” He took her hand. “I’m a flyer too, remember?” But she was eyeing the water garden pouring from the edges of this tower in fountains that splayed into the cascades that rippled over every other rooftop and the bailey, to pour down over the outer walls and into the mote. Hiding everything from Radix. Rainbows were tossed over everything below. Brightened by the sun shimmering through the flowering waters. He lifted her hand to his lips. Kissing the back while he met her bright eyes. Wide with wonder, as they were. He dropped her hand and lifted his arms. Giving a slow turn. He closed his eyes and envisioned the dome of wa
They all soared for hours. As long as Sebastian could hold up the raised roof of their watery cloak. Eventually Elsabet, with her faster metabolism, tired and began dropping. Having to work hard to stay in the air. Sebastian flew below her and nudged his snout under her. Letting her drop to rest over it as he fluttered down toward the top of the tower. Just as he neared the roof he tipped into a dart, shifting her upward and moving his wings under her so as he landed on bare feet. He willed his clothing to return, as she fell into his arms. Bits of cloth wrapped around his body to conceal him while he still ran a few steps to gather his footing with her in his arms. She was still laughing, her arms wrapped around his neck. Her cheeks suffused with a pleased blush. Her wings tucked against her back. Slipping under layers of skin under his hand. Like a hand shifting into a pocket. He felt the movement against his palm. A strange ripple under her flesh.
Sebastian rounded another wall in the tower and finally found her. She stood leaning against it. Looking sideways as he took the steps to reach her. He caught her waist and his mouth descended over hers. Sensing that she wanted the contact. She kissed him back. Throwing her arms around his neck and returning his passion. “You only want to kiss me because you’re still in the passion of flight, you know that.” He warned. “I don’t care.” She wound her fingers through his hair with such ferocity that her nails lightly scratched his scalp. He pressed his body against hers. Molding his length to her. He caught her lower jaw and massaged the line of it as his lips met hers. Tasting the honeyed flavor of her. The scent of wildflowers dancing through his senses. The heightening heat of their bodies intertwined. Drowning them both in pheromones that had them both melting against the stone. Sebastian dropped to a knee on the steps. Lookin
No. No. No. Sebastian thought. He wasn’t about to let the barbarian die. Where is he? Sebastian closed his eyes and hooked into Mardichi’s energy. Talk to me, Mardi. But the barbarian wasn’t responding. Sebastian tracked his energy to the Driter’s Den in the Netherlands. But once there, he felt what was threatening Mardichi. A sickly dark energy that could only be one creature. Radix. Sebastian blew a breath. “No.” The demon wasn’t alone. With him were dark spots of energy, scattered over the floor. Cimmerii. They were everywhere. The tavern was overrun with demons. They’re all after Mardichi. “What?” Elsabet blinked at him. “I know it is the worst timing in the world, but I have to go.” “Now!” “Now.” He set her on her feet. Helping her lean against the wall. She steadied herself weakly. Her legs were st
Teverius managed to draw within a few feet of the fallen barbarian. He could see the rodents shaking Mardichi’s limps to rip pieces of him off. They were taking chunks out, all over his body. His innards were already exposed by the cimmerii digging away beneath him and stringing out parts of his insides. Tev shifted sideways to outstretch a boot and kick Mardichi’s side. Mardichi’s heavy body only slid a few feet. Tev had to kick his limp form a second time. Violently stomping against Mardichi’s ribs, to get him to slide completely out of the noni battleground. “What are you doing?” Sebastian cried. Confused as to why Tev was being so aggressive with their fallen warrior. Tev grunted. Ignoring him, as he fought more cimmerii back. “Are you helping save him or kill him?” Bast objected from across the room. “I’m uncertain! Big Bastard may already be dead.” Bast registered what Teverius was doing. He’s trying to get hi
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