“And once she realizes what she’s done,” Alazar continued. His eyes pleading for Elsabet to understand. “It’ll be too late to redeem her, in the eyes of her people.” Alazar said under his breath. “Something she’ll forever mourn.”
Alazar’s gaze fell.
Perhaps realizing he sounds like a wayward little child crying on our mother’s skirts. There was no denying the hint of envious bitterness invading Sebastian’s thoughts like a sickening plague.
Sebastian had never in his life been so possessive of a woman.
She’s my mate. An annoying little voice reminded him.
Elsabet was listening with an objective expression. All prior judgements quelched.
“I couldn’t bear that. I’m devising a way to save her from that fate.” Alazar added quietly.
To Bast’s shock Elsabet’s face softened at the sincerity in his twins’ words.
Are you kidding me? For him? His jaw went slack. She softens the fortress of her walls,
“You chose to sit aside me!” She defended. Irrelevant. Not what I asked. “And if I’d touched you?” Sebastian repeated quietly. “Certainly not! You are incessantly brushing my hand or touching my hair.” “Because you’re irresistible.” He stated simply. Lurching forward in his seat, laughing in his frustration. He’d just been considering touching the flowing silver strands wisping around her shoulder and cheek. “I fail to see the relation to you leaving meals, and her leaving if you touch her?” Alazar asked in confusion. Blinking rapidly as he struggled to catch up. “She refuses my touch, and anything I touch.” That was my point. She wouldn’t be eating the food in the library if she knew I touched it. Interesting quirk for a woman who melts when I touch her. “Not all the time.” She whispered under her breath. Cheeks flushing slightly but only Bast caught it. Head
Several hours later, Sebastian heard his chamber door open and didn’t have to move from the window to know who it was. “Hello, Brother.” “Bast.” Alazareth greeted. “You knew she’d become angry with me?” “I did.” Bast’s voice was amused as he uncoiled from the window and approached his twin. Dropping to the wooden chair at the table to toy with a small ceramic vase. “Tell me of your Riaura.” “She’s suffering.” “I know this.” Bast didn’t look up. “Your Riaura is kindred spirit to my valkyrie. Her passions run hot once spurred.” “She hardly speaks to me anymore.” Alazar sighed. “I’ve no doubt it’s you that holds her interest.” Sebastian reassured. Sensing it was what his twin needed to hear. “It’s merely a woman’s way to spurn the one she cares for when emotions become too intense.” Pain burrowed into Bast, and he slammed the vase down a bit more tersely than he intended. Saying the words aloud more for his own benefit than his tw
Sebastian, as a sleek black panther, quietly watched the house. Waiting for the children to emerge from the vehicle while also keeping an eye on the Netherland fairies which were, oddly, lingering around Rosewynn. They were creatures that didn’t generally stray far from their regions. Something is drawing them here. Though they were generally attracted to the Watcher species, traversing to be near them was unheard of. So why are they so excited? He was curious and intent on doing a bit of observation to figure it out. He was startled from his reverie by the crack of a twig behind him. Spinning on his stomach, he hissed at the intruder, baring spiked feline teeth.Whose here? “Whoa, Old Friend.” Acharius mocked his words as he strolled from the brush. Lifting his hands in supplication. Acharius.Bast’s hiss turned to a low rumble of greeting. His eyes still burning a hole in his fri
“A hell of a skill.” Acharius muttered dryly at Sebastian’s self-deprecating statement. Acharius ran a large hand through long dishwater blonde hair. “My unfailing logic is what allows me be unendingly selfish whilst telling myself I’m a reasonably good man.” Bast grinned. “You’re the best sort of man.” Acharius corrected, grudgingly before tipping his head to nudge his flat forehead against Sebastian’s in farewell. He turned and strode in the direction of the Netherlands. Pushing trees apart and stepping over a low shrub to begin making his way. To relieve Rhyers. Acharius never left his den unguarded. Or the things in it. Sebastian heard a couple running steps and a hop and knew it would be Acharius turning into a wolf. He caught a glimpse of a furred silver tail vanishing into the leaves. “As are you, old friend.” Sebastian murmured. Glancing around the side of the carriage, Nora s
It’ll take it less time to reach the humans and rake them open than it’ll take me to get to them.Stopping his loping toward the group, he began swaying side to side, electing to keep the Nonis focus on him. That’s right. Eyes on me, little devils. It’ll be me that tears you to pieces…In his peripheral, he saw the Cimmerii Guardsman with his sword pointed at the twin men. But he couldn’t look away from the Cimmerii now. If he broke contact with their gaze, they’d attack those that were closer. Less threatening. Wincing, he kept his focus on the Nonis.Taking a barely perceptible step at a time. His paws barely lifting, as he inched forward. Willing the Guardsman. Don’t slice anyone, you stupid little man. Something underfoot cracked and the Guardsman’s gaze flew to Sebastian. A feral sleek-furred creature, as pitch as the night. With only the moon’s glow behind him to outline his pre
The awful sound was such a cry of pain and suffering, that it would’ve likely woken every Forever Knight in the country. Bast felt the pain of the confused animal, tearing through his mind. Ripping his heart asunder. He’d heard that kind of agony before.Usually from The Alpha. Once from Calisto Merlinus when she’d lost her mate. But never from...Mardichi? And he was certain that was who he’d heard mournfully howling tonight. Bast ran out into the hall where Elsabet intercepted him, fumbling for a grip on his clothes in an attempt to stop him. She heard it. She felt it. “Whatever it is, don’t go!” She grasped for his sleeve, but he danced from her reach and ran past her. Catching the banister, he swung himself around and jumped the railing to land in the foyer below. “It’s something horrible. Pain has happened. Don’t go!” She screamed. Her voice shrill and terrified.
Realizing what Mardichi needed, Sebastian tugged his tunic from his shoulders and tossed it in the corner. Dropping to the floor, he forced his body into a meditative state despite the pain he knew would arise. Ready to take it on. Give me strength.He willed, as he always did when he did this. Drawing a long breath, he let the marks winding his torso move to his shoulders and back. Adjusting as tiny claws erupted, digging through his skin to let shining gold creatures spill from his back, sides and chest. Thumping to the floor and scrambling outside to pour across the meadow embracing the house. He muttered a prayer under his breath and forced his body still. Swaying under the rending and jerking of the dragons separating from his flesh. As soon as one tore free, his body would attempt to seal the skin in a great effort to heal. But another would tear through that new flesh and raw nerves. It too would drop out and scurry away.
Mardichi understood the pain Bast suffered when doing this. He knew Bast was making a great sacrifice in order to help him, but Mardichi’s rage was too powerful to offer his friend the proper thanks, right now. Finally, Bast materialized in the doorway, weak, white, and sweating. He’d thrown his tunic back over his shoulders, but blood soaked through in several spots. “Will you soon be ready to return to the stronghold?” Mardichi queried. Observing his brethren’s wan state, a bit worriedly. Bast nodded and blew a long breath. “Are you?” Mardichi nodded, teeth gritted. “Where will we bury your son?” Bast winced as he uttered the words. Knowing they had to be hard for Mardichi to hear. Bast ached for his friend. He was going to help him bury his baby before they went anywhere. Mardichi won’t leave otherwise. And neither would Bast. He couldn’t even fathom that level of agony. He imagined how he’d feel
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