By the afternoon of the second day, Sebastian was feeling much improved. He awoke. Rolling his shoulder with a hand atop to keep it steady. He could still feel the indents where teeth had sunk in and nearly tore him in half. But he was healed. And the venom he’d expected would have him in a shroud of pain for a fortnight, seemed absent. But his magic was weak. And already he could feel that his tether on Elsabet had broken. He moved his hand around his wrist and felt nothing. It’s gone. How long has it been gone? His first thought was climbing to his feet to find her. Is she still here? He sent energy surging through the halls like fingers looking to touch her energy. He fumbled from his bed and out into the hall. Leaning heavily against the wall as he made his way to the top of the stairs. Calling over the railing. “Elsabet?” “What?” She emerged from the Library to peer up at him. Breathing agonizingly, he slumped over the rail in relief. “You’re still here.” “I was talki
She refused to even glance his way. He could see the concentrated effort it took. You’re trying like hell not to. A half smile pulled at his lips. She kept her eyes defiantly away from him. Intently looking everywhere around the barn but at him. “I’ve been repairing the bailey walls to keep the flood room from deepening, this morn.” He admitted. Relenting. Taking pity on her fierce pride. “Is that why you’re so dirty?” He tilted his head at her. “If it bothers you, come clean me off.” He quirked a brow as he unfolded from against the wall. The mere idea already had his abdomen tightening. Brows lowering, she focused on ignoring his presence. And failing. I’m hard to ignore. *** Trying to hide his annoyance at her disregard, he asked. “Do you like my steed?” It took her a moment to realize he was not saying something perverse. Blinking hard she gladly averted her attention back to the beast. See? When my intentions aren’t bad it is you thinking wickedly. “He’s regal. Lik
“The library?” Sebastian queried. Guessing that’s where the Alpha would be. Rhyers nodded. The Fallen. Sebastian thought as he wandered downstairs. It was nigh time Bast went to work helping Deragan pour through the pages of the ancient records, Acharius, the Viking had been maintaining. She’s bound to be in one of her old haunts. Bast found several of the rolled lengths of parchment on the Fallen’s recent movements. He headed down the mountain toward Grier. Planning to run a line straight to the Dread Hideout. To Acharius. He can look for Radix’s newest lair while he’s at it. He’ll be delighted. Sebastian thought with wicked glee. Knowing how much Acharius hated pouring through the old documents. Despite that most would assume with his upbringing, Acharius would’ve had little culture, he’d experienced much in his countless years at sea. Visited numerous countries during his raids. It’d been he that mapped Ardae for them. Chronicling every location, they’d ever found the Falle
Lucien had relented and made love to the girl. He now knew that Radix must’ve scented Lucien on her. That’s why he targeted her. She smelled like me. He thought she was mated to a Knight. It’d taken the demon master very little time to strangle the girl, upon their return to the Ballroom. He’d used the seam of her own wrap and committed the cruelty behind a pillar in the Ballroom. I only lost track of him for a moment. A little voice in Lucien defended. But it was all the time Radix needed. Lucien rounded the corner in time to catch Radix tossing her skirts up over her face. A quick scrubbing from his clawed hands in the air and she was covered in purple bruises and deep lacerations on her exposed legs. Lucien gave a shout, to ward him off. But I was too late. The sound of his voice only drew others closer to the gruesome scene. Radix opened his mouth and the shrill shriek of a woman emerged. The same as he’d done to Mardichi back in England. Lucien stared at him, horrified.
After a time, she knelt next to the dark feline she’d dubbed Onyx, to pet him. The cat leaned and arced, rumbling contentedly and savoring her touch. She turned her head and gave a slight smile as she enjoyed the feel of his fur between her fingers. At precisely that moment, Lucien entered the library and spotted Sebastian sitting intently in his library chair. He was leaned forward and eyes completely coated gold. Mouth white and jaw ticking. All signs that didn’t bode well. “What’s amiss?” Lucien approached warily. “That is a black look on your face. In-fact I don’t recall ever seeing it on you afore.” “The woman. She’s laughing with the cats.” “You’re woman?” Lucien’s brow furrowed. “I didn’t know that railing creature even cracked a smile.” He’d noticed since his return to WaterRose that Bast was often preoccupied with the valkyrie who seemed not all pleasant. Less so, when Bast was gone. “Cats?” Lucien shuddered. “Clawed beasts.” “She pets them.” “That is what most do…”
“As did I, you.” She shot back. I don’t give a shit. “Answer mine.” Before I lose what little patience I possess. “I asked mine days ago. You first.” Her eyes narrowed on him. He continued the long unblinking look. She finally relented. “Kind enough.” Kind enough? His teeth nearly gnashed. “Don’t I make sure you’ve all you need?” “I suppose you try.” She grudgingly admitted, lip curling and eyes skittering away. I try at nothing. “I’ve offered you an array of food, acquired you quite a wardrobe-” “Of very delicate dresses.” “Which look lovely on you.” He pointed out. “For your viewing pleasure.” Her voice was waspish now. Damn right. He gave a half nod and a shrug. “Colors you might enjoy if you weren’t so set on being a thing of bitterness.” He sneered. “Only towards men.” “Oh! Are you kind to women, now?” His voice rose in surprise, distracted from his original purpose. “Not particularly.” She admitted. “As I thought.” He nodded. “Why will you not tell me of you
“They all have the same energy as you…” She murmured. Still blinking thoughtfully at him. What? He struggled to focus. The smell of wildflowers surrounded him. The smooth satin fabric over the sinewed line of her thighs, the peek at the hollow of her cleavage beneath the neckline of her dress, now available to his eyes as he stood over her, the flatness of her stomach revealed by the fitted lines of the garment. Stormy blue eyes assessing him. Her soft pink lips parted as she mulled it all over. Waiting for something. What the hell did she say? He replayed the conversation. “Not as powerful.” He said definitively. Her eyes fell as she murmured to herself contemplatively. “That’s why they watch me so resentfully.” “What?” What did I miss? “One of them looked…just like you. From upstairs, anyway.” She pointed, bouncing her finger as she continued to murmur to herself. “You’re…brother?” “Yes.” He corrected. “Though I’m far more fun.” His body responded to the heat of her, warm
WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier Country SEBASTIAN Sebastian stumbled up the hill toward WaterRose. So weak he could hardly stand. Only making it in the door because the other knights met him and helped him to the stairs. “What happened?” Rhyers asked urgently. “Alazareth needed the Figurines.” “You unleashed the tiny ones?” Rhyers referred to the small dragons that Sebastian could summon. Though it nearly kills me. “Let’s get you up to your room.” Rhyers said. Elsabet watched quietly from the top of the stairs. “Why would he ask you to do something that would hurt you so.” “Because,” Rhyers said over his shoulder. Bitterness tingeing his voice. “He hides how much he suffers from everyone.” “From me?” She queried softly. “Especially from you.” Rhyers snapped at her. Kicking Sebastian’s chamber closed and leaving her standing beyond the door. Like an unwanted pet. “Rhyers...” Bast chastised. “That was unnecessary.” “She could show some concern for you!” “She did.” Bast
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
“Is that?” Alazareth asked quietly. Staring at the sky where the glistening creature had vanished. His sword lowered in astonishment.“Don’t say his name.” Sebastian snapped, throwing out a hand.Radix will hear you. Mardichi crouched. Preparing to launch skyward.“No!” Sebastian shouted. “Let him go.”“With her?” Rhyers asked indignantly. “Sebastian?” Deragan grunted between the targue, he fought. He threw one and straightened to look over the others. “Are you certain?”Sebastian looked back at him. “We have no choice but to trust him. For now.”With the most precious thing I have.Sebastian had to let her go. He focused his fear and anger on the hoard before him, praying that Elsabet was being taken somewhere safe and not straight to the demon master.“Alpha!” Alazareth shouted.“Fight them back and take the sky. Go different directions to scatter them, we’ll circle back la
Just when Sebastian’s fear might’ve reduced him to begging Radix, futile as it would’ve been. He heard a sound that brought hopeful light back to his world.A sound which forced back the darkness.A familiar roar. The battle cry of his brother.Alazareth emerged from the trees, sword in one hand, a dagger in the other, and dark blood staining his tunic as he sliced through the animals before him. Working his way from the back to the front in a flurry of attacking blades. He was a blur of motion.Targue shrieked in suffering.Alazar purposely ran across cimmerii nonis. Stomping on them like the rats they were, as he went.Another targue lunged at Elsabet, trying to get to her skirts but there was a shout from the distance. “I’m coming!”Sebastian recognized the flash of Rhyers’ dark hair coming through the woods. He ran barefoot. Launching against trees and throwing his body sideways to evade obstacles without stopping. As he reached o
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
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