Radix laughed coldly. “Is this what you wanted Alpha? Oh, how I am terrified. You’ve certainly taught me a lesson I won’t soon forget.” He mocked. “The choice is yours though.” Laughing again he sobered abruptly. “I’d make you a trade. This Forever Knight for you.”
Deragan ceased breathing. I will do it.
There’s no choice.
I’ve trained Lucien to lead them.
Chavias morphed into a man. Small under the crushing weight of the Cimmerii tidal wave. Sarabi, Targue and Nonis. Despite his vulnerability, he reached up to tear the pendant from his neck. Twisting the chain in his hand.
His pendant. For summoning us.
Chavias launched to his feet, using surprising strength to throw many of the creatures off.
Nonis still pulled at his arms and legs, shredding his skin to the bone as he moved.
“No!” He roared. “Not for me, Alpha! Let me go.” Chavias’ roar as he threw the pendant high. His cry echoing
Hands falling, Bast gave his Alpha a torn look. “You wanted something, someone to protect them. To keep them from bloody death. You made your vow and you’ve fought like a lion. How many knights have we lost since you took it upon yourself?” “I don’t know.” Bast said brokenly. Trying to listen. But in so much pain the words make little sense right now. “Far less.” Deragan supplied. “You’re the Protector. The warrior that defends the warriors. Chavias gave his life for yours. For that. Don’t deny him the one thing he could offer us.” Deragan tossed a piece of glinting metal at Bast who reflexively caught it in an open fist. Knowing instantly it was Chavias’ pendant. “Why for me?” Bast cried. “For anyone else. He should’ve done it for anyone else!” “But he did it for you and I.” Deragan said firmly. “He saw things you can never hope to, Brother. Chavias was always wise. And he made a choice that was his
Pain flashed over her face and for a moment he regretted the question. Obviously, you have. Who? It made something tighten in his gut. Who had you missed so much your great pride had allowed you to dare speak the words? He couldn't even imagine a man. “Where did you go so long?” She asked in a weak voice. As if you cared. Don't feign now. “To help my brethren.” He said dully. “Is that always where you go?” “Yes.” He said simply. “There are more like you?” “Yes.” “You’re not giving much in way of answer.” She glared at him. “Perhaps not, but at least I answer.” He eyed her meaningfully. “And I’m honest.” More than I can say for you. She tugged her arm lightly and he released. “Go ahead and flee, Little Valkyrie.” “I don’t flee you, Lord Bodane.” She tossed over her shoulder acidly, as she walked away. Walking or running. Eithe
Peak Mountain, Black Mountains, Battling Border RADIX MALORUM “Go out, you have a mission." Radix told his fiercest Commander. "You will find where those, from the sky,” He added in a mocking tone. Disdain obvious. “Come through. Where they land. Follow the Knights. They’ll be drawn to the new souls, to protect them. If you wait, if you are patient…And if you trail them. One of them will lead you to the new generation.” Of Watchers. “What then?” “Then we will see if you and your kind can convert them for me. I will need their help in the battle to come.” Watchers become some of the most powerful of my Cimmerii. “And if cannot?” “Then, like the Fallen, they will die.” Radix looked a little worried at this. A horrible waste. But better than them landing in the hands of the Forever Knights. Though Radix's enemy was only
WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier Country Elsabet wandered to the stairs as Sebastian dragged in a wiltry tree from Warlock Grove across the moor. She stepped near the banister and frowned down at him. Watching his progress. They’d spoke minimally since he’d returned from the battle and Rhyers had reprimanded her for not offering him comfort. They’d both been avoiding the other. I don’t know what to say to her. “What are you doing?” Her voice cut into his thoughts. “It’s nearly Christmas.” He straightened to remark. Her long look told him she’d no idea what this meant. Truly? “Are you being sincere, Little Harpie?” You don’t know? She blinked at him, passionlessly. “Come down here.” He invited. Perhaps get a little closer… Her lips tightened and she shook her head adamantly. Backing from the stairs to return to her chamber. He heard the door click.
She’s been my captive five years now. Sebastian mused as he heard Elsabet’s light step roaming the corridors. She’d discovered the many floors of WaterRose, the Flood Room below and the endless solars, parlors and decorated chambers above. She came to an abrupt halt. She senses me. He realized. When she spun about, he moved into the shadows to avoid her gaze. She glimpsed the silken black creature with yellow eyes moving along the dark side of the hall on silent paws. A far cry different than the tiny slithering thing she’d seen with him years ago. “What are you?” She squinted to see him creeping in the cracked door of Bast’s chamber on the second level. The torchlight seemed too bright to keep the creature in such dark shadows. Squinting hard, she saw the faintest outline of what looked to be feline vanishing past the door. Long tail disappearing inside. She shook her head. Stepping quietly to peer into the c
“What was that ruckus about?” Marcus Teverius asked. Me discomforting a beautiful woman. One who stared at my body like a next meal. One I’d like her to test. “My little ward.” Sebastian shucked his breeches again and slid back under the blanket, just as Teverius appeared in the doorway. “Taunting her again?” Always. “Every opportunity that arises.” He nodded. Shifting under the coverlet to get comfortable. It dawned on Tev that Bast was just now settling there. “Were you naked a moment ago?” Whenever possible. “I’m still naked.” “Uck!” Tev tossed up his hands and moved from the doorway. “We’ve talked about this. You always prop your chamber door when you should be closing it.” “It’s a mite stuffy.” Bast’s nose wrinkled in distaste. “Anyone can walk by…” “Don’t worry little brother. Someday you may be as big and strapping a lad, as I.” “
WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier Country SEBASTIAN Snow had begun falling on Meadow Mountain. And with it came Sebastian. Dragging in a wiltry tree he’d cut down. Dusty white flakes fell softly with no wind to disturb them. Coating the land in a white haze. Frosting branches until they shimmered beneath a coating of chilled fur. The flowers ever in bloom in the valley around WaterRose remained the same under the icy coating suspending the petals. Sebastian smelled the bread Elengard was baking and saw candles were already brightening every window. He glimpsed the valkyrie at the end of the hall on the second level. Peering down to watch him drag it through the foyer. A silvery plait circling her crown and coming down over one violet-clad shoulder. He felt her penetrating gaze studying what he did. Every year she watches me. She’ll stand in the shadow of the stair dais and
WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier Country (Six years after stars fell) SEBASTIAN Six years of checking on the little Watcher girls had passed. Six years of watching the eldest, a redhead, grow to the tiniest brunette infant only born a few months ago. Six years we’ve been guarding them. But tonight, Sebastian woke to a nightmare. Marcus Teverius’ torn screams ripped through his mind. Agonized shouting for help. The kind of broken call, I’ve rarely heard before. Bast ripped free from the furs covering him, willing clothes to materialize around his body as he took the stairs. Joining Elsabet at the foyer door, he shouted to the bridge tower. The drawbridge lowered. Thank you, Dimitrius. Bast’s heart was thrumming in his ears. A kind of sick dead filling his spirit that made him feel cold. Elsabet was mesmerized by the flash of white in the darkness. The
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