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
LandingTown Dock, IgonoxSEBASTIANI hate being behind schedule. Sebastian watched the FireStar draw port in LandingTown.Behind schedule.He noted. Again.The one thing that kept the chaos in Sebastian’s life carefully reined in was his meticulous devotion to being on schedule in all things he could control.Like my ship.His first mate was trusted to go on the regular runs to the Isle in his place.Under the condition that he is on time when he returns!As it drew port and the gangway was slapped down, Bast’s boots clicked sharply along the wood. “Boy!”What the hell was the delay?“No’ a boy!” A short man rippling with muscle met him on the deck. Glowering beneath a riot of black curls.Bast spotted the familiar face.Boy had a furious expres
“I came here to help you, you sniveling shit.” Alazareth threw over his shoulder. “Good to see your smiling face in the morning!” Bast waved at his back. Bast sighed and jogged forward to stride next to his twin. Alazareth shot him a sideways glance, his eyes narrowed in irritation. Which meant Bast was already getting under his skin today. “So happy to see you’ve healed well.” Alazareth remarked. Making Bast wince. “From which injury?” “Take your pick.” Bast eyed him on a wince. “I’d have preferred to choose none of them.” Ignoring him, Alazareth remarked. “So, I come all the way over here from Nightway, and find you snoozing the day away.” Bast heard steps and realized Boy had eased away and was now diligently cinching ropes around the main mast. Still close enough to hear, he was snickering. “Enjoy my pain, Boy.” Bast remarked. “Wait until the cart wheels are turning and your headache sets in.”
“I haven’t any idea…” Bast told the Weldons. He twisted to look at Alazareth. “Wasn’t me.” His twin shook his head. Denying that he’d delivered goods to the elderly couple. Alazareth looked equally as surprised as Sebastian did. “I wouldn’t have come all the way out here if I’d known.” That’s true. “They brought many of us supplies…” Mr. Weldon murmured, drawing Bast’s attention. “All through the country. We thought it was you…” “Sebastian?” Ms. Weldon said. “I don’t know who he was, but his men jokingly called themselves ‘The Seditious.’ Perhaps that helps?” “Yea, yea!” Mr. Weldon recalled. Pointing to Bast animatedly. “And they called him their king. We knew he wasn’t though, because no king looks that rough.” Mr. Weldon’s hand fell. “I noticed it was odd too, because it wasn’t yer highness, or anything fancy. Just ‘my king’.” “Bast!” Alazar barked from behind him. Lurched up enough to stand on the bench. He waved h
After Bast sent Alazar off with much of the exported goods, he took what he’d had unloaded in another cart and ordered his first mate back to the Isle of Wight for another load before he began the long trek back to WaterRose with the remaining cart. It had a lone mule pulling it. He didn’t need to touch the horse for it to nuzzle the back of his neck and clop along behind him. He chuckled and rubbed its neck. “You are a good lad, I see that.” The mule was one that Alazareth had loaned him for the job but during the trek, Bast was growing rather fond of the thing. Though Sebastian was happy to be taking a cartload of gifts and fine foods back to WaterRose with him, he couldn’t help but be disappointed by the time it was taking. It was nearly dark that night by the time he arrived. He found himself growing increasingly excited to return knowing she was there. If I hurry, I may make dinner with her.Another chance to see her pretty
“I’ve no idea!” He was too stunned at this unexpected onslaught to recall. “Too many to count?” She sneered perceptively. Not in the way you mean.He floundered. “I was swimming, not loving.” “Is there a difference?” She demanded, seething. Of course, there is! “Yes! I don’t swim withyou!” Wrong thing to say.He guessed from the livid expression on her face. “I am well-aware of that!” She raged. I’m losing whatever this is. He realized. Badly. “Can we just…Calm down?” He put his hands out in a staying gesture but found it hurt since her hands were still embedded in the muscles near his shoulders. “No!” She said firmly. Forcefully shoving him back. His hips caught on the edge of her bed, and he tipped back until falling roughly. Gasping in surprise.When did I get here? How’d she… “Elsabet…I’ll ask
The source of Elsabet’s recent mood changes would soon be made clear to Sebastion. It began this morning. Peaceful as it was. It started with him watching Elsabet warily from across the table at luncheon. Grimacing at the sounds she was making as she quenched her ravaging hunger. She sounded as though she was starving to death. He wondered how much she’d been eating while he was gone. Does she not eat while I’m away. That had unlocked a whole passel of new fears. He sat across the width of the table from her, and twice already had been splashed with mashed potatoes launched off her trencher as she forced the food into her mouth in handfuls. She rummaged through the platter of chicken. Plucking at the browned skin of the legs until finding the pinkest one, which she tilted her head up to devour nearly whole. He cringed again. “Hungry sweetheart?” She paused, blue eyes lifting to look at him. So beautiful it
Sebastian was happy to be home, he realized that evening. As he lay next to Elsabet in his bed.Happier to be in her arms.Her slim frame was tucked against his side. Cheek resting on his chest.He stroked her long silver blonde hair. Watching the shining strands course through his fingers, thoughtfully.“What are you thinking?” She murmured against his chest. Warming the skin she breathed against.“I’m thinking of your warm belly on my hip.”Partially. And the warm mound of it. Wondering how to discuss it without scaring you away.“And?”“Do you wish me to simply blurt what I know not how to say?” He queried softly. Knowing if he tried it would come out in a way that only made her angrier.“Will it hurt me?” He felt her body tense in fear.No. It’ll make you want to fight.And I’m very much enjoying this moment. He frowned. He wasn’t ready for it to end. Not just yet