LOGINShare
Not so Easy to Steal From
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56Bast had lifted his arm to spin his dance partner.
Pleasantly oblivious at that moment.
Elsabet caught the glint of a gold chain falling over his collar and dangling just beneath those laces. Stark against his tanned skin. The candlelight caught the shimmer of a gold ornament on the chain. Nestled against his defined chest. A serpent twining a thick cross.
Her target.
The one thing she needed for her to return home. To Sanctuary Island.
Even now she was calculating his next step.
Her plan was simple: She'd intercept him as he turned in step with the dance, she'd hook the pendant on her claw and let his movements tear it off him. Freeing it into her waiting hand.
Already hanging open, his shirt would offer little resistance.
Amulet in hand she'd exit the dance floor. Likely while he stood in surprise.
Her detail in LandingTown settled. And free to return home.
Elsabet watched him, nearly shaking with intensity. Anticipation heightening as he danced closer. She was already reaching, waiting for his flowing movements to place the amulet in her grasp.
Instead, he released the brunette and abruptly faced her. Sparking gold eyes focused on her.
His hair settled around his face and back over his shoulders in a tawny cloud that caught the firelight of the chandeliers and illuminated over his gold skin. Making him hypnotic to look at. Those eyes which had been nearly aqua a moment ago now glowed animalistically.
They changed color?
He blinked slowly. Waiting to see what she'd do.
Jaw agape she froze a second before her brows descended. Her look accusing.
Still unsure why she wanted his dragon's eye amulet, he swept her hesitantly outstretched hand into his and twirled her.
Suddenly incorporated into the dance, it took every ounce of her rapid reflexes to move in step with the group.
She didn't know how to dance. Never had a need to.
Not in years, anyway.
The woman previously dancing with him expostulated in enraged profanity.
Elsabet's focus was this man, whom, had abruptly change from docile prey to glaring at her predatorily.
They stared each other down, unblinkingly.
For the first time, she felt as though an enemy, an equal, assessed her as she did him.
When he pulled her close to turn her again, claws rent from her fingertips to shred his shirt and grasp the amulet.
She jerked it violently. Snapping the chain.
His eyes narrowed on her.
Spinning on her heel, she dissolved into the crowd. Moving through the throng, they exited into the dark.
***
Elsabet paused to glance behind her. Finding herself facing the stranger again.
His features were perfection, an aristocratic nose framed by arched brows and vivacious green-blue eyes. His square jaw was ornamented with a broad mobile mouth.
He tipped a brow in challenge. "I believe that's mine..."
Not now. Fool.
Tossing an elbow into those handsome features, she made crushing contact.
Stepping back, he scowled at her. His hand moving to his nose and eyeing the blood collected on his fingertips before lifting to set on her with steely determination.
Not quite the loud objection I'd expected. She frowned at his calm response.
***
Climbing into the coach, she was appalled when he leapt in as well. Despite the footman's objections, he shouted for the driver to go.
How dare you bid my servants! Elsabet was livid when the man dared comply with this stranger's order.
He'll be fired upon return to the country home. She decided.
For now, I have to deal with this dreadful creature. She scowled across the carriage. He's quickly become more of a nuisance then he's worth.
"Get out of my coach." She enunciated the words.
He stared at her unblinkingly. Refusing.
Seeming displeasingly unafraid of Elsabet's hard tone.
A tone that normally sent creatures instinctively scurrying into the shadows.
"Why are you stealing from me?" He cocked his head.
"Get out of my coach, My Lord!" She ordered, voice brooking no argument.
"Lord Bodane, My Lady." He calmly corrected. "I suggest you answer me." Gaze unwavering, he stared her down.
"I suggest you get. Out. Of. My. Coach." Her head tipped in warning. "I'll not say it again."
He didn't budge.
"You've no idea what you're dealing with."
His eyes narrowed at her cautioning words. "Heed your own words, My Lady..."
Related chapters
The Taming A Terrifying Creature
She hissed. Her irises bled to ruby. Slamming her hands against the sides of the coach she screeched.Cracking her neck, she looked at him. Last warning.The coach rocked. Long brown wings snapped out from her body, one shattering the narrow coach window.The driver lunged off his seat. Hitting the ground and desperately crawling through the dirt to get as far from it as possible. Vanishing down the drive yelling in horror.Sebastian was unmoved by the woman's violent fury."Out!" The valkyrie shrieked in his mind.To any mortal, the sight of the Valkyrie with red eyes and brown wings spanning the coach, would've been an intimidating sight.Shredding her slippers, her feet became taloned claws embedding in the coach seat. She emanated predatory hunger.Cocking his head, he studied her new visage, fearless.That really should've been her first hint. He mused. Toying with the book in his hands.Her skin was as pale as when she'd been beautiful. However, hair pins clattered to the floor
The Taming Beware Who You Toy With
Drawing from his training over the years, Sebastian forced himself passive. Eying the creature carrying him into the night.She shook her black mane like a bird settling ruffled feathers. Glowering down at him, her eyes completely red. Absent any white.She tossed him once more to get a better grip. And to emphasize to the male that she was the one in control.You're merely prey. For me to kill any moment...An inhuman growl rumbled from his throat. A cautioning that he was coming to the end of his vast tolerance.The woman-bird glanced down at him, surprised he was capable of such a noise. Tightening her grip, she pierced those claws deeper into his arms and shoulders. One hooking painfully under a shoulder blade.He allowed her the flight. Though his anger had set in."You shouldn't have tried to steal from me." He lifted the pendant still gripped in his fist. His lip curled, he continued working to control his irritation.They'd long since passed over the villages bordering LandingT
The Taming Something Like Me
The odd-shaped bird-woman dove through trees of Warwood, rattling the tops in a spray of green leaves and tree needles. Staying low to escape her pursuer. Weaving through the shadows of thick tree trunks and splashes of blinding gold light which shimmered between.It was cool and dark this low. Smelling of wet dirt. Concealing her movements better than the cresting dawn above which threatened to reveal her altogether. Manipulating through trunks by twisting and arcing, she was careful of her dark, bony wings. Likely to snap if she crashed into a tree.Already breathing heavily, she struggled to keep moving. Clearly unaccustomed to fleeing.She won't escape today. Not from me.Sebastian's eyes focused on the strange look of her. Like nothing I've witnessed before.A distance above, and behind her, tree trunks snapped like kindling. An immense black shadow spread its silhouette over the tree canopy. Darkening the trunks below. And casting over her.She sped up. Wings pumping in a determ
The Taming Well-Matched
Meagerly covered. Sebastian thought as he watched the soaked woman breathing heavily as she gasped for air.Knocking the hood of his cloak back gave him a better view. And revealed the shine of his gold hair in the morning light. Long tresses which swayed as he moved.His gaze traced her from head to toe. She was hiding a lot under those LandingTown clothes.Hovering over the water, she reached delicate toes to step onto the bank. Her sparking eyes flitting over the clearing. Flashing from dark blue to blood red and back again as she laid eyes on him. Face a mask of fury. Her head fell back as though her damp hair weighed more than she could hold up. Her legs shook and gave as she collapsed.The reins of Sebastian's mount slipped from his shoulder to land amongst heavy green leaves littering the ground as he moved from Sivikon.Reaching her side, he caught her just before she'd have hit. Sweeping her into his arms. Come on Little Bird. He grunted. Let's get you inside and have a look a
The Taming A Game of Wills
His eyes roved her assessingly as he decided how he'd put his newest decision into play. Keeping her.But fighting her magic will be a matched battle.I'll borrow hers. Turning his outward palm in, he clenched it and pulled it toward his midsection. Abdomen reflexively tightening around the thrill of magic.The dark brown of her flesh was stolen from her. Leaving her skin porcelain perfection. Her head fell back, and the red drained from her eyes like a retreating pool. When her head jerked forward, those eyes were so perfect blue they were nearly purple. Her hair changed from the roots. Spinning back into a moonlit silver glow. Twisted tresses straightened as they dropped around her shoulders. The glistening cover of brown fur running along her sides disintegrated in dark flakes. She dropped naked to her knees, a whoosh of air erupting from her lips. Lurching forward she landed on her palms, back heaving. Struggling for air, since she'd not been able to breathe during the process.Hea
The Taming A Captive in Truth
She nodded sure that she'd been followed."Why was it after you?""I-I can't remember. My head," She put a hand to it. "It feels heavy."Your head? What happened to your head? He realized then that his wing must've struck her in the back of it."Did you hit it?" He frowned.Tilting her to examine the back but observing no injury.She's okay. He blew a relieved breath."I don't know." She murmured. Eying him. "Who are you?"The man you tried to steal from."Who do you think I am?""What are you?" She asked through narrowed eyes.Predator, though she was, she knew an instinctive wariness of him.What are you? And where have you been hiding?"I'm wondering." He puzzled aloud. "Does what I make you feel now reflect how you've terrified others in the past?"You're obviously accustomed to having other creatures fear you. He'd noted that back at the ball."Not in the least." Her face jerked in distaste. "I don't fear you. Whereas I've never met a creature that didn't fear me."Doesn't hold tr
The Taming Into WaterRose
He climbed the few steps to the heavy dark wooden doors. Pushing one open with his foot to step into the opulence of the expansive foyer. The triple chandeliers hung from the ceiling. The second dangling from chains connected to the first. And the third hooked to the second. All of them laden with a tight circle of candles. Glowing brightly over the gold trimmed red carpeting beginning at the stairs, leading to the dais where the stairs split into mirror images turning out toward the walls and winding up to the second level. Torches glowing up there.But there was a dark hall passing the dais and continuing to darker chambers down the hall. Lined with elaborate frames along the right. As he passed a few she realized they were portraits, the eyes following their progress. He suddenly turned sharply to take the stairs up the dais.She glimpsed a door going beneath it.My lower room. He often slept in the servant’s chamber under the stairs when trying to recover from some injury or anoth
The Taming An Animal
She was looking for sanctuary in Sebastian’s home.She won’t find any. Not from me.Not here.Thinking putting furniture between them would protect her.Or buy her time.It won’t. Nothing will. His head lowered. Eyes sparking gold. The firelight eerily reflected there. Framed by hair a similar shade, tousled from retrieving her from the lake. Those eyes zeroed in on her. Only they followed her movements. The rest of him still. Like an unmoving predator. Waiting for her to head for that door…“Relax animal.” She hissed.Not a chance.“Until I know what you are, I’ve no intention of putting myself in a situation where I may have to endure your touch again.” She said scathingly.“Such as trying to escape?”Or when you're warm underneath me while I make love to you. Sebastian already had plans for the exciting little bird.Welcome to my domain. Now you're mine...***“Yes.” She rasped. Eyes flushing red before she blinked, and they were blue once more.She’s dodging my gaze. I unnerve her
Latest chapter
The Taming Be Ready
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?”
The Taming Terrible Fear
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
The Taming Surpassing Even That
“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
The Taming Mutual Understanding
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
The Taming You Weren't There
“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
The Taming Barely Out the Gates
“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
The Taming Familiar
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
The Taming Protect You
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
The Taming Demonic Suffering
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
