Realizing what Mardichi needed, Sebastian tugged his tunic from his shoulders and tossed it in the corner. Dropping to the floor, he forced his body into a meditative state despite the pain he knew would arise. Ready to take it on.
Give me strength. He willed, as he always did when he did this.
Drawing a long breath, he let the marks winding his torso move to his shoulders and back. Adjusting as tiny claws erupted, digging through his skin to let shining gold creatures spill from his back, sides and chest. Thumping to the floor and scrambling outside to pour across the meadow embracing the house.
He muttered a prayer under his breath and forced his body still. Swaying under the rending and jerking of the dragons separating from his flesh. As soon as one tore free, his body would attempt to seal the skin in a great effort to heal. But another would tear through that new flesh and raw nerves. It too would drop out and scurry away.
<Mardichi understood the pain Bast suffered when doing this. He knew Bast was making a great sacrifice in order to help him, but Mardichi’s rage was too powerful to offer his friend the proper thanks, right now. Finally, Bast materialized in the doorway, weak, white, and sweating. He’d thrown his tunic back over his shoulders, but blood soaked through in several spots. “Will you soon be ready to return to the stronghold?” Mardichi queried. Observing his brethren’s wan state, a bit worriedly. Bast nodded and blew a long breath. “Are you?” Mardichi nodded, teeth gritted. “Where will we bury your son?” Bast winced as he uttered the words. Knowing they had to be hard for Mardichi to hear. Bast ached for his friend. He was going to help him bury his baby before they went anywhere. Mardichi won’t leave otherwise. And neither would Bast. He couldn’t even fathom that level of agony. He imagined how he’d feel
Still glaring up at him and chin jutting, her hands shot out. It was a movement so fast, he jerked. His skin glittered in the firelight as iridescent gold scales migrated below a thin layer. Ready to emerge as he fought to control his reaction to her sudden attack. Don’t change. You’ll hurt her.He told himself. Or perhaps myself. He thought ruefully. Considering how weak I am. She fisted the shoulders of his shirt and wrenched it apart with surprising strength. Fabric tore from him. Billowing down to rest along his hips, still tucked at his waist. Now, she’s taking my clothes off?He thought forlornly. Of all the times I longed for her to do that! His head reared back as he swayed from the aggressive movement. His gaze narrowed on her, as he considered what she was about. He fought the urge to retreat from the ferocity on her beautiful face. What is s
“Tell them!” She ceased pacing to shout. What does she want me to tell them? That I wander to help them? That I get hurt aiding one, and still go to rescue another. No. They would stop calling for me. “No.” He frowned. “What purpose would that serve? There’s no need for them to know.” “You’re serious!” She was askance. “You think there’s no need?” Her voice was rising to a dangerous note. What am I missing? He was baffled, eyeing her warily, as she harrumphed and knelt at his feet. Forcing herself into his eyeline. He was aware of the hurt written over his face, as she hurled judgements. “I’ve never tried to upset you.” He murmured. “I hate to see your unhappiness.” “Then take me with you.” She put her hands to his knees and leaned up near his face, making her inescapable. “When?” He asked, turquoise eyes wide. Trying to buy a bit of time to think
He hardly noticed he was holding his breath. He could barely recall another instance where she had come into his arms so willingly. Her hands now worked into his sleeves, trailing her palm warmly on the sinews of his arms. She slid them down his arms to reach the cuffs. Hooking them with lifted fingers and drawing them down of his arms. Pulling it over his head and tossing it in the blue chair before clasping his forearms and pulling them around her hips as she dragged him. Walking backward out of the library and up the stairs. Blue gaze captivating him. Stripping me? Kissing me? This isn’t what it seems.He warned himself as his hand landed on the railing. His other forearm clutched in her fists. He was trying to tell himself it was a trap. His rational brain warning him of all kinds of dark scenarios she might be enacting. She’s angry with me. She’s going to do something awful. Probably try to get
She didn’t say anything back. Despite the heartrending declaration he’d just made. He wanted to ask. More than he’d ever wanted anything. But the light trailing of her tongue along the gold length of his neck up to his ear had him purring as he tipped his head to offer her more. He heard the swish of soft fabric and guessed that she was shedding that silky lavender gown that had framed the curves on her small frame like a second skin. He heard a second hush of it. Guessing those were sleeves one and two. She wiggled slightly and when she leaned over him, the graze of those breasts, was pure feminine skin along his flesh. He groaned in delightful misery. His fingers curling into the bedding. “Woman!” He objected into his pillow. “Stay.” She gave a light shove at the back of his head. She moved gold blonde hair off his neck. Letting the waves sit alongside his shoulder. Before she began kissing down the back of his neck in a way
No. It was the answer she hadn’t given. She hadn’t said anything. She’d locked her lips and continued the lovemaking until bringing him to a violent end. A burning climax that made his sac feel like it exploded with sensation as the tingling rolled up the base of him and poured sweet relief into her. She’d showered soft kisses along his face and near his ear. Putting a kiss so hard against his cheek, that he felt the burn of what he was sure, was hot tears. Though she kept her face down enough he couldn’t see. When he tried to lift her chin, she ducked his hand. Working herself more ferociously over him until bringing him to that fine finish that was always followed by a rush of exhaustion that sent him melting into the sheets. Her coaxing touch and gentle loving had sent him off into the most peaceful Knight’s Sleep he’d had in years. By the time he awoke, he was sure he’d been out for at least two days. It was now evening a
Seeing that lost look had spurred him into returning to that table. She watched his approach apprehensively. Staring up at him. Eyes widening, she slowly chewed. Watching him round the table until he stood across from her. She swallowed hard as he leaned across it. Gold eyes flashing, he closed in on her. “Never...is a very long time, My Lady…After all, you agreed to ally with Your Prince of Air and Darkness.” He lifted his glass to toast her. How am I so different? She blew a relieved breath. What did she think I’d do? Crawl across this table and tip her over? Is she so afraid of me touching her? Kissing her? Only comfortable when she’s the one in control, is she? He’d hoped she’d deny the man was hers.No such luck. To his disappointment, she swept her glass from the table. Sending wine over the fine rug. She stood. Livid with rage. Eyes glinting red and chin tipped in
“You said you’d never be wed again…” Sebastian said to Elsabet. Hoping that just once, she’d give a little ground. “Who was he to you? Did you love him, once?” Tell me. Tell me the truth… Without a word, she dragged dark blue eyes from him and climbed the stairs. From his library, he heard the door slam above. And the subsequent crashing of furniture against the walls. It’s fine she’s conflicted. Understandable that she would be. “You don’t have to be angry that you’re both my lover and my captive. I am honored. I would never shame you, ever judge you. Tease you perhaps, but only to goad you into, perhaps, touching me. But never to hurt you.” She drew a calming breath. Her claws withdrew as she eased. “I’m going, Sebastian.” “You could tell me about him. You could tell me anything.” “I’ve no desire to.” “Let me be close to you.” “I cannot.” “Why?” She sighed. Her shoulders strai
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
“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
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
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
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