“They all have the same energy as you…” She murmured. Still blinking thoughtfully at him. What? He struggled to focus. The smell of wildflowers surrounded him. The smooth satin fabric over the sinewed line of her thighs, the peek at the hollow of her cleavage beneath the neckline of her dress, now available to his eyes as he stood over her, the flatness of her stomach revealed by the fitted lines of the garment. Stormy blue eyes assessing him. Her soft pink lips parted as she mulled it all over. Waiting for something. What the hell did she say? He replayed the conversation. “Not as powerful.” He said definitively. Her eyes fell as she murmured to herself contemplatively. “That’s why they watch me so resentfully.” “What?” What did I miss? “One of them looked…just like you. From upstairs, anyway.” She pointed, bouncing her finger as she continued to murmur to herself. “You’re…brother?” “Yes.” He corrected. “Though I’m far more fun.” His body responded to the heat of her, warm
WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier Country SEBASTIAN Sebastian stumbled up the hill toward WaterRose. So weak he could hardly stand. Only making it in the door because the other knights met him and helped him to the stairs. “What happened?” Rhyers asked urgently. “Alazareth needed the Figurines.” “You unleashed the tiny ones?” Rhyers referred to the small dragons that Sebastian could summon. Though it nearly kills me. “Let’s get you up to your room.” Rhyers said. Elsabet watched quietly from the top of the stairs. “Why would he ask you to do something that would hurt you so.” “Because,” Rhyers said over his shoulder. Bitterness tingeing his voice. “He hides how much he suffers from everyone.” “From me?” She queried softly. “Especially from you.” Rhyers snapped at her. Kicking Sebastian’s chamber closed and leaving her standing beyond the door. Like an unwanted pet. “Rhyers...” Bast chastised. “That was unnecessary.” “She could show some concern for you!” “She did.” Bast
If she leaves, I’m going to find her and drag her back. He promised himself. Knowing it was very likely. I’ll get her back. His beasts urged to take over. To pursue her. Knowing it was their mate that fled the gates. I’m too weak to stop her, just now. He forced himself to face that simple fact. He truly could get killed trying to keep her this time. I won’t heal if she cuts me open. But to his surprise, he heard the sound of her back hitting the wall just beyond his doorway as she collapsed against it. “But it’s kept me safe.” She murmured. Running forever. He instantly knew what she was responding to. It was the last thing he’d said and she’d left the room. He’d thought, to leave him forever. “I know.” He whispered back. “But it doesn’t now. It just keeps you from seeing what there could be.” She jumped, astounded that he could still hear her. She peered around the wall back into the room. Above him, his breath crystallized in floating puffs. Elsabet reared back from th
The meal tonight was a quiet one. Afterwards he was up on the high balcony overlooking the bailey, when he glimpsed her below. Trying to outmaneuver my tether again. Always trying. He let her pull, tug and fight to reach the bridge tower a long while before he grew impatient. He yanked the line back, with a mere thought. Sending her rearing back several steps as it retracted. She instantly looked up. Her eyes scanning the window slits and balconies until finding him standing there. His white shirt blowing in the slight breeze and hip propped on the railing. Gold hair free around his shoulders as he watched her. “So glad to see you better!” Ferocity tinged her tone. Me too. It was a mite hairy there for a bit. Recognizing the words for what they were, he responded in the like. Hitching his chin as he called down to her. “Thanks to you, Sweetheart!” “I could fix that.” She grumbled. Shaking a fist up toward him. “Don’t tease me Girl. I feel quite better.” And I’m in the mood t
A strange surge lifted inside Deragan. Something he barely recognized after so long. Hope. “Sebastian never hurries.” Deragan concurred. His shout to the gate tower made the bridge begin descending over the moat. Not fast enough. “He’s not slowing down.” Lucien grimaced. The valkyrie’s cry rose again. Louder. She can feel his return. Deragan sensed. Lucien eyed the wall separating them warily. “That’s why I lock that thing in when I’m here…” And because she scares you. Deragan had no time to tease just now. “Bast wouldn’t appreciate that.” Deragan commented without looking away. “Yeah…But she terrifies me. I love a tough woman. But not one that can actually kill me…” He murmured. “And likely wants to.” Even Lucien silenced as Bast reached the bridge. Leaping to claw the peak of wooden planks, raking in front feet until piercing the wood. Tossing his body atop it, he t
Sebastian was surprised to see a bold shadow step from the tree, momentarily catching him off-guard. Only Deragan’s projection. The Alpha’s body remained carefully hidden by the tree. Usually, The Alpha isn’t so impulsive…Only when it comes to her. Bast watched her lean against both edges of the pane in an attempt to see the street through the downpour. Holding his breath, Bast reminded himself she couldn’t see the spirit projection. Only Forever Knights can see spirit so clearly. Bast knew. At length she shook her head and put her forehead against the cool window. Hand on the glass next to her she watched rivulets cascading odd little trails. Leaning back, she gave a weak smile as droplets seemed to move around her hand despite, they were on the other side. It was a painful sight to witness. Poor, miserable souls. Deragan’s outline, head and shoulders blocked light from the Parlor. A
“Think he killed her?” Rhyers breathed, daring to ask the question they both wondered. Rhyers leaned forward, waiting for Bast’s answer. “Not a chance.” Bast said dully. “She’s too valuable to him.” In-case Raese ever returns. Or to use against Chavias…Bast remembered the vision he'd seen in the globe so many years ago. Telling him about Chavias' fall. I could've done more. If I'd known it'd be then... “She’d never give in to him.” “So, he’d rather torture her indefinitely.” Bast said dully. Her and Chavias, no doubt. Bast choked on the distaste running through him at the thought of his old friends. The subject made a lump of emotion in his throat. I need to discuss something else. “How is Mardichi?” Bast said randomly. Throwing Rhyers off-guard. “We talk very little anymore, as you well know.” “No one talks to him much anymore since he found that little mate of his.”
He strode to her. She lined the blade up with his chest and he walked into it until the tip pierced the skin above one of his pectoral muscles. Sliding through flesh and making a thick red drop well. “What are you doing?” She blinked rapidly, stunned. “Giving you, your chance.” He opened his arms wide to expose his torso to her. You won’t do it. You’re not as vicious as you want me to believe. She drew several quick breaths, eyes flicking as she decided what to do. Her face tightened as she steeled herself to attack. And he realized he was wrong. He saw the change in her. In the storm of her eyes. Turning on his heel, he strode from the room. “I hope your full belly assuages your guilt.” She hissed waspishly. “For your kind heart will demand you do.” She shouted epithets. Bast found despite all his bravado; he was angry she’d killed the rabbit. Somehow, I’d secretly hoped she wouldn’
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