Sebastian wondered briefly if Mardichi was steady enough on his feet to help him in, or if they’d both end up in a bruised heap. But a glance at the barbarian’s balanced stance assured him Mardichi was so accustomed to drink, that one meager cask was not enough to maintain his happy intoxication.
That settled, Bast felt his stomach drop at the prospect of entering the castle to find the valkyrie’s disappointment.
I can’t bear that crushed look of her.
I should’ve hid in an inn room rather than partaken.
“Oh.” Mardichi reared back as they pushed through the doors. “What ‘tis tha’ feeling?”
“Her emotion.”
“She has tha’?” Mardichi’s voice rose in surprise.
Bast swallowed. There was an eerie silence in the castle that told him she was already asleep. He caught the faint sound of a girl crying. And the growl of an enraged man’s shouting. Though the words were indiscernible. An intermingled muttering of sound.
Elsabet, already curled in his lap, pressed her supple lips to his mouth. He made a surprised sound, pulling away from her. “What’s wrong?” She asked, confused. “I’ve no wish for our kiss to be one in which I taste like the one that was so cruel to you.” Her eyes widened in surprise. “After all your proclamations of desiring me, you refuse me now?” “I don’t feel I’ve a choice.” His face was written with pain. His grip on his self-control waning. “Have you some wine?” She asked thoughtfully. “I can get some from the kitchens.” “Then do so.” She whispered against his lips. He groaned low in his throat. “Woman, if this is a test, I’ll surely fail…” “It’s no test. But you must hurry, before I change my mind.” She purred. Warm breath brushing his face and the scent of wildflowers filling his senses. “We cannot do this, I’m not sober.” He objected. What the hell am I saying? Find the bloody wine!
Elsabet was the embodiment of sensuality and delight. Moving in his arms like something created from sexual pleasure. Everywhere he touched her elicited a new reaction. He already knew that no matter how much he gave her tonight, she’d wanted more. Her hunger was insatiable. He worked his mouth over her as he slid a finger into her. He cast out a tendril of warm magic from the tip of that finger. It wound a bit higher and then curled toward the front of her. Touching over places that made her back arch and her cry out. It’s the heat. He realized. So, he let the heat expand until it filled all the space within her. Then he stretched that magic. Putting pressure against her inside walls. She cried out in pleasure. Her body was beginning to sweat and her nipples hardening to blunted tips. He slid his finger in and out of her. Letting his magic mimic the movement. Touching every place within her before withdrawing. “I feel
“You look morose today.” Rhyers remarked to Elsabet as he wandered into the solar. “Sebastian had said you were in a kindly mood when he last saw you this morning.” “Time to think.” She said plainly. Shooting him a cursory glance. “Since when do you come up here?” “I was looking for you. Sebastian said you might be up here.” Rhyers sat in the chair near the window. She was in the window seat. Allowing the morning sun to pour over her as if she wanted to soak up every drop. “After seeing the pain you were in that last time I was here, I wanted to check in on you.” He referred to when she’d thrown herself into his arms in the library. She flushed slightly. “It wasn’t pain. It was anger.” Rhyers scoffed. “You may have Bast fooled into believing how hateful you can be, but I’m not so easily deceived.” She cast him a blank look. “Don’t look at me like you don’t know what I’m talking about.” He leaned forward to brace his elbows on h
Sebastian didn’t know what had changed in Elsabet, and he wasn’t about to question it. She was a joy this morning, almost playful. But then she’d disappeared up into the solar most of the day. Which generally boded ill for him since that was typically her favored place to sit and think about uglier things. He’d expected her resentment to have returned by the time he saw her next. Instead, he’d heard the creak of his chamber door. That first night, he was awake when she crept into his chamber. Merely staring at the wall next to him. He heard the creak of the door, and her soft step on the floor. He knew the sound of her, even her breathing. He knew precisely who had entered his room. He was still. Refusing to look. When she only stood there, hesitating so long that he thought she might rush out, he caught up the blanket behind him and lifted it. Not facing her to avoid scaring her away. His invitation was clear
Even better than that magical night had been, was how lovely the morning proved to be. Elsabet had crept out just before dawn and he’d assumed she’d left to ready for her day as she generally did in the morning. Though not this early. But to his sheer astonishment, she’d returned after a time with a bit of toast and some eggs along with a warm cup of tea. “Did you make it?” He sat up to give her a curious look. “Did you think I couldn’t cook toast and an egg?” She lifted a brow. I suppose I hadn’t imagined you over a stove. “I was a regular woman once.” She reminded with a chiding look. Handing him the platter. He took the platter, and blinked up at her. “What?” She eyed him askance. “Are you intending to slaughter me?” “With a cup of tea?” She said innocently. Pressing it toward him. “Is it poisoned?” He playfully eyed it. “Why would I waste my time with that, when I kn
“What would you do if you were in my position?” Sebastian asked. “If you cared for me and you thought I was in danger, but I wanted more than anything in the world to be out on my own?” She looked taken aback. As if he’d just struck her. Her eyes roved his face and she opened and closed her mouth as if such a thing had never occurred to her before. She rose, walking quietly around the long end of the table and striding toward him without a word. She’s either going to gut me or kiss me. He suspected. Leaning back in his chair with half a wince already on his face. “Perhaps, were that the situation,” She stroked her finger along the table. Her tone level. “and I could imprison you to keep you, I would.” There was strange understanding in her voice. But also a string of underlying bitterness that worried him. As if she weren’t being wholly sincere. Or she’s not entirely sure, herself. Either one had him swallowin
Eventually morning came and Sebastian felt the bed dip as Elsabet rose. She was pulling on her gown and doing the fastens down the front. “Where are you going?” She glanced over her shoulder. Dark lashes fluttering over her nearly purple eyes. “I’m heading out to tend what’s left of the garden. The frost has been hard on it.” Sebastian knew she’d planted one in early spring, he’d seen her doing it, but he kept forgetting to peek at it when he came back from his errands and now snowfall had been coming and going for many months. Likely all that was left in her garden was a few berry bushes. “You could lay back down.” He patted the bedding next to him. “That would be unlikely.” “Why?” “Alazareth slid a missive under the door at first light.” “I didn’t hear it.” He sat up. She handed him the bit of parchment. “You were in that…trance.” I was Chavias. He mentally corrected. Feeling his stoma
WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier CountryRHYERSRhyers was wandering the halls of WaterRose to see if Sebastian was home. When he past Elsabet’s chamber he saw the door open.Her slim silhouette passed by the doorway one way, then back the other.She was pacing furiously. Her crimson skirts rustled with every turn. She was rubbing her face ferociously.Like she’s trying to wash away something.Rhyers watched her from the doorway.His head was swinging to keep her in view. His shoulder length black hair waved to his shoulders, brushing along them as he swiveled each direction. Today that hair was loose, framing his angular face. His silvery green eyes were intent on the agitated valkyrie.“Elsabet?” His voice stopped her in her tracks.She faced him. Blinking rapidly.“Do you care to share?”“One conversation does not make us frie
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