“So why in the world would you ever find yourself jealous of me Bast?” Acharius drew him back to the subject at hand. Still inspecting goods from the bag at his feet.
“As I said, your woman-”
“She’s not-” Acharius objected but caught himself at Bast’s baiting look.
“Is sweet.” Bast finished, ignoring Acharius’ objections.
Seeing Acharius distressed look, he sensed he’d won.
He has been tempted by her.
“And?” Acharius snapped dismissively. “What are you driving at?”
“Mine, is not.”
“Yours? A mate?-The-the valkyrie!” He was eyeing Bast astounded.
Had he really not known? I’ve had her for over a decade!
Bast reminded himself that Acharius rarely got beyond the caves.
Unless someone relieves him of his duties here.
“What is wrong?” Acharius grabbed Bast by the shoulders. “Tell me everything!”
Though Acharius intended to be gentle his hands
WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier Country Sebastian had been bedridden for a week upon his return. Torn apart by the Targue he’d lured from Acharius’ den. His shoulder and thigh had been ripped to shreds, but he’d left them both to rot at the edge of the meadow. Limping the rest of the way home. Timus had spotted him limping through the early morning fog and rushed out to meet him. Helping him inside. Elsabet had met them in the bailey railing about his foolishness. Dorena had appeared in the doorway, covering her mouth in horror before rushing out to help inside. Disgusting Elsabet so much, she’d gone back indoors with no further word. Though he would normally have been relieved at the reprieve, he’d have welcomed Elsabet’s company during his recovery, far more than Dorena’s. Today had swept in their tracker. Coming with the afternoon sun. Now Rhyers was seeking him out. Finding Sebast
She’ll say no. Sebastian reassured himself. Certain that Elsabet would deny Rhyers her company the same as she’d been denying him. But there was another long silence, as shestudied Rhyers. Trying to assess his motives. What are his motives? Bast wondered himself from the floor below. What are you up to, Friend? Rhyers murmured something too low for Bast to hear, as Dorena grew louder in an attempt to regain his attention. Dammit. I can’t hear. He tossed her a look. Brows knitting in aggravation. Effectively silencing her. Finally. He felt like he’d missed something in the ongoings upstairs. What’d he say to her? It must’ve worked, because she said only one word. “Wait.” And the door closed. No. Don’t do it. Don’t go with him. Come down for me. A short time later, Bast heard her step returning to
Rhyers had handed her over to the beast with zero preamble. Denying Elsabet proper time to retreat. Now she was firmly in Sebastian’s clutches. In all the golden opulence of the expansive Dining Hall, she was mesmerized. Staring him down. Mesmerized by the candlelit shades of gold in his halo of waving hair. His turquoise eyes had captured her every bit as intensely as his grip on her hand. Telling her his intentions. You’re mine now, Sweet Thing. She shot up a panicked look. Blue eyes suddenly vulnerable as she came to terms with the face she’d been so staunchly avoiding since the other woman’s arrival. And my protection of her. Bast met her looksquarely. Lightly tugging her closer. Wanting to both reassure her, that no woman in the castle stirred him, but her. And to steal her composure to see that vulnerability that was always just beneath her fierce façade. She took a jerking step forward as he pulled.
Dorena withered in her seat at his rough tone. Bast felt a pang of remorse for his stern tone,unconsciously looking for Elengard’s ever-present disapproving gaze. In truth, he did like Dorena. He appreciated what she was doing, straying from Radix. He had respect for what she accomplished. She had great potential for being a true friend. Unfortunately, she was reluctant to accept those terms. Which is what’s making her a nuisance more than a pleasing presence. As she had been, initially. Rhyers shrugged as he took his first bite, having seen Bast’s reaction coming a mile away. She is sweet. Bast knew. But he’d no tolerance for women using him to make others jealous or staking some claim on him. Claim they don’t have. His teeth gritted slightly. But it did occur to him that he’d never mind Elsabet hanging on him, in such a way. Damn anyone that was jealous of her, then! When he l
“Thanks to you.” Setting the book in the windowsill, Dorena dragged her eyes from Sebastian to stare at its cover.His words struck her deeply. The impact of them, reverberating through her.He understood what the meaning of that word meant.Freedom.It was such a small word.Containing so much meaning.His mind wandered to Elsabet, as it always did. Freedom was what she yearned for.And what I’m denying her.Dorena impulsively reached out to thoughtfully stroke the book’s cover.Avoiding looking at me.Which is fine. It’s easier that way.“You’re welcome.”“You want me to go?” Her voice was forlorn.Yes.“I think it time. You shouldn’t be trapped here.”“You’d let me leave, if I wished?”Yes, I would.“
“Do not!” Elsabet shoved against Sebastian’s chest in the hopes of cutting off the filthy thing he was intent on saying, as she tried frantically to get away.“I’m weary of your games, Elsabet.” He sighed.“My games!” She spat in outrage. Tossing her arms illustratively “I’m surrounded by men in this castle!”She poked him in the chest. “Handsome ones. Gentlemanly ones. Hell, even Rhyers is more of a gentleman, than you! Something I never thought I’d say, yet it hasn’t been I with my arms tangled around one of them.”“You mistake me!” He hit the wall next to her. Making her wince.Reminding him how important it was that he rein in his beast. He couldn’t be so aggressive.Not with her.You can’t lose your temper with her. He calmed. Blowing a long breath and rolling his eyes Heavenward as
WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier Country ALAZARETH Ever since those flat echoing words were spoken in that quiet corridor, Elsabet had been unable to forget them. Even slamming the door and securing herself in her chamber, could not block them from her mind. They were now, ever-present. She now spent most of her days cloistered in the library with Quandary sitting at her feet. The blessed pet that expected nothing of her. But today, he was nowhere to be found. She hated when he was gone. Assuming that he’d gone with Sebastian as he often seemed to. She’d arrived in the library to find the ever-constant fire burning. She’d moved about the library awhile, searching through the books as was her wont. Eventually snuggling into the red chair she favored, warmed by the fireplace. The seat worn from her constant presence in this room. She lifted a glass of Sebastian’s sweet w
“Where did you come from?” She asked. Eyes scanning one than the other. “You think I’ll offend her?” The man closer to her questioned the other, from behind her. Though he didn’t move. “No, Alazareth.” Bast stated in a sure tone. Picking out some walnuts and popped them in his mouth. “I think she’ll take your damn hand off.” Alazareth straightened. Cocking his head at her. “She doesn’t seem as dangerous as you say. Quite tiny and lovely really.” Her brows drew together, and hands fisted over the armrests of her chair. Teeth extending to points which protruded her upper lip. “Why does she look even angrier?” Alazareth queried. Moving to stand next to his brother to see her. “She’s upset we dare talk about her whilst she sits here with us.” Bast didn’t look over at her. Shuffling through the nuts, as firelight danced over his golden features. Her lips were so tight, they whitened. Bast finally cocked his head toward her,
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