She lifted her head, surprised he saw through her so clearly. “I don’t trust you, nor any man for that matter. And I certainly would be a fool to trust your intentions.”“Not nearly, actually.” He dismissed. “I prefer my women fully engaged. Not sleeping the rest of the dead.”“I’m not dead.”Yet.“Could’ve fooled me.” He shifted to the floor. The bowl in his hand as he proffered her some cheese. When she made no move, he urged. “How could you fend me off if you’re too weak to rise?”Staring at him a long while she hesitantly reached for the sustenance. Her body trembled, and her hand fell. She’s too weak for even that.He’d thought perhaps inciting her to sustain herself might inspire some strength. She’s more wan than I thought.“Huh.” He grinned. “If I feed you, will you take my fingers?”“Most likely.” She murmured.Reassuring… He frowned at her. Eyeing her as he debated the options. Deciding to risk it he moved to the edge of the bed and fed her chunks of cheese from the metal c
Libby strode to Radix, the Demon Master, beaming with pride at what she’d discovered.He sat on a wooden chair and patted his bony thigh beneath the gray cloaks. Libby approached nearly skipping and took a seat where he’d indicated. Resting on his lap.He pressed a hand to the side of her head. Filling her with his darkness and evil.When she looked over her shoulder at him, he was no longer withered and gray. Instead, he was dark and beautiful. His skin seeming almost ebony and his eyes just as dark, but the irises were laced in fire which seemed to be burning in those bleak eyes.She moaned and fell backward against his other arm. Breathing raggedly. Small breasts heaving under the brown aproned dress she wore. Her mousy brown hair fell over his lean arm, and she was writhing lustfully against his body as she took in the power, he offered her. A moan escaped her, and she shifted to rub her pale thighs together against the ache forming in her. A response to the deep sense of powerful
Libby, the pitiful housemaid, was forced forward and back. Her body pinched against the stone as Radix clutched the metal handles to use as leverage to press downward into her. Straining her body as he sought his own moments of ecstasy.Her teeth grew into spikes and her pale skin became blotchy along her breasts bobbing near her chin and down her stomach where he was probing her within.Her skin began to sweat orange liquid and when her eyes popped open, they were completely onyx.A few wild thuds into her later, and they laced in orange.He spilled, hot demon seed into her. Stroking deeply and burrowing back in to sink his fluid deep into her. He tipped back his head and roared with his extended climax. Drawing it out so he could feel her completely with his fluids.Poisoning her with his black energy.But she was a foolish little creature. Only happy that she’d completed her task and brought him a moment of entertainment.She laughed joyously. Crying out in pants as she breathed be
WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier CountryElsabet struggled to move, but she could eventually, sit.An hour later she stood.Another hour, and she paced.I can feel you up there moving around. Bast’s book lowered to his lap as his eyes narrowed on the ceiling above him.She was using magic to touch the pulsing gold flow along the walls. Now and again, glimpsing the lines crisscrossing. Resulting in flakes fragmenting and plummeting to the chamber floor.Testing my barriers.She used her energy to cloak herself. Tossing it against the window slits, checking their strength.Not that way either. He smirked. Keep trying Harpie.She did. Finding them all impenetrable.Walking the room, she sent her magic lifting tapestries and moving coverings. Inspecting every corner.He felt every brush against his magic, blocking all those directions.Not any of those. So, where to now? He waited.Finding no break in the wall, no hidden doors, and no weaknesses in the magic, she turned toward the only o
Once outside, Elsabet flexed her wings but couldn’t extend them. They felt tied to her body.Relying on her feet, she shook her head like a wild thing, as she struggled to become the valkyrie.To no avail.Snarling in frustration, she glanced at the gray sky above her, heavy with clouds. She set toward the trees bordering the meadow.Thunder cracked, and lightening shredded the sky. Sunlight unable to find her as she fled the castle made of water.She moved through descending darkness. White tunic mingling with shining blonde tresses to make her a beacon in the descending blackness.Her boots left distinct tracks. Signifying her direction. Her step grew deeper in the dirt as she stalked in frustration, unable to take to the air.Rain dumped, but her clothes never dampened. Slipping off her like oil. Only absorbing in her hair. Causing strands to cling to the curve of her back.Sebastian watched her somewhere between admiration and aggravation. Another woman would’ve admitted exhaustio
They met in the darkness of the storm.Sebastian could easily imagine how they’d look to someone watching.The valkyrie in the shape of a beautiful white woman standing her ground. Still as a statue and contrasting with the bat wings which seemed black in the faded light. Her tunic nearly glowing in the bleak darkness. Vivid blue eyes now red with the blood filling them.Her enemy was equally as motionless on the back of the white beast, dusky black cape billowing over the mount’s rear and the dogs a single silken mass twining around its legs.Strange toothy black beasts whose fur looked dense and rough. More like tree bark then hair. The most fearsome dogs she’d ever laid eyes on.Demon Dogs.Neither of them broke contact nor made a move.I suppose we’re two foes facing down in the storm. At least in her mind.For now, both of us are willing to see whose will shatters first.It won’t be mine... Sebastian was fighting the twitching of his lips again. Watching her so brave and bold was
She gaped at the horse.No one has seen anything like him. Sebastian thought proudly. Understanding her fascination.Her brows drew together as she felt his breath in her hair. His arms tightened around her reflexively as she trembled.“Cold?” He questioned.She shook her head vehemently.“Liar.” He brushed the back of his hand down the back of her upper arm. Feeling the bumps rising there.Hissing, she tossed a withering look over her shoulder.At first, he was taken aback to see her crimson eyes so close, he gathered his composure and wiped his expression.It’s blood filling them in her rage.She was considering killing my horse. He reminded himself.“Can you not but once, tell me the truth, Little Harpie?” His tone was flat as he realized she’d likely been considering attacking Sivikon. “You should know I may kill you if you harm him. He’s my oldest friend.”She cracked her neck in an action that caused other creatures to give her space. “I’m surprised you have any at all.”“Touché
Elsabet’s eyes were huge. Aghast at his comment. Her jaw tightened but she said nothing.Oh, please. He thought. Accuse me of bluffing… He hoped.Because I’m not. And he’d be willing to prove that she was in the early stages of arousal already. Despite her hatred of men, her body was reacting to her nearness.“How about this then, My Girl. I’ll have you bound in that chamber and make damn certain it’s my hand that feeds you, you’re every meal. And my hands that tend your needs. Until your duly tamed.” His words a soft vow, he took a step toward her.And that’s no bluff.She backed up to keep the distance he was trying to close.But he descended on her just the same. Backing her against the castle wall.Where to now, Lovely? He watched her face. Waiting for her to react. His arms at his side and his head cocking with interest as though she were some fascinating new species.In truth, she is. I’ve never heard of her kind afore.He watched her gaze flick across the ground, to the horse a
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