“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 with you!”
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
“Elsabet?” He murmured during dinner later in the day. Hoping to prompt some conversation from her.She’d been painfully quiet since yesterday.Please talk to me. He willed her. Missing her zest for the meal from yesterday.She looked up from her trencher of food.He’d been joining her at one corner of the long table. But tonight, he sensed he was unwelcome since he’d told her he wouldn’t release her. She hadn’t said a word to him in months and it was making him ache inside.How much longer will this go on?She no longer crept into his room to warm his lonely nights.He spent them instead listening to her up in her chamber, from his chamber in the servant’s quarters. Soothed by the sounds of her slumber but torn asunder, nonetheless.What’ve I done?The absence of her affections was agonizing. And he wondered constantly about the impending introduction to his child.Will I get to meet her?
“A girl?” Elsabet said softly. Echoing it as if in disbelief.“Yes.”He could feel her, her energy tightening. A swirl of fear and heart ache and so many emotions. As always, Elsabet was contained emotion. Boiling with it.“What will you name her?” He whispered. He wanted to ask her let him help pick one. He yearned to sit with her in their chambers discussing it. Watching the orange glow of a waning fire with her body warming his.When I can never feel heat any other time.The curve of her stomach and slight rounding of her hips was apparent to him now. He wanted to trace them and learn her new shape in the ways that only a lover could.“Please…Elsabet please talk with me.” He knew bone deep, that she was going to leave without a word more. But when she did it still felt like he was a rock sinking alone to the bottom of a pond.Once she’d gone, he collapsed limply back into the chair. Dropping his face to his hands. Sh
Elsabet awoke this morning to unmistakable brightness pouring through the window slit. She had managed to get back to sleep after a fitful night but still found herself exhausted.The more her young one grew, the more Elsabet’s old fears emerged. She worried about bringing a babe into the same world that had gravely disappointed her.Elsabet grew increasingly strained by the discomfort. She found that pacing helped soothe her. This morning she yearned for Quandary’s company. She’d have liked to curl up to the big cat and let his warmth soothe her tummy.After hours of pacing and rubbing her bulging stomach downward she gave a screech of frustration.To her surprise, Calisto instantly appeared. Looking aggravated.“Cease that noise Elsabet! Why? Why do you do that?” She pressed her palms to her ears.“I’m miserable!”“Why?” Calisto’s eyes roved the floor in confusion before settling on Elsabet as she cocked her head.“I’ve not s
Sebastian’s gaze lingered on her swollen belly.What will she do when the time gets close? Will she let me near the infant?“Do you?” She lifted a brow.Love you? You must know I do. He thought.“Do you?” He countered. Hoping she might answer for once.She lowered her head. Giving him a condemning look.He chuckled. “Fine, have it your way. Yes, Elsabet, I think you know I do.”Elengard stuck her head in. “You called?”“Could you set up lunch in here?”She glanced past him at Elsabet. Noting how pale and uncomfortable the woman looked. Her dress strained around her middle and she looked as though her back would bow over any minute. “Of course!”As soon as she left the room, he levelled turquoise eyes on Elsabet.“And what would you have me do with that information?” She hitched her chin.You know the answer to that.“You know that too. I’d have all of you,
Elsabet’s question was complicated.Has something happened to Quandary. The answer was no. But it was harder to admit to her that he was Quandary.I’ve waited too long to tell her. Or, perhaps he shouldn’t have deceived her to begin with.But had I not, I’d have missed so many chances to comfort her. “No, not persay.”She eyed him skeptically. Lurching forward to down her glass of water, body language hostile as she tried to gauge what he was about to say.Rising, he refilled her drink under her watchful gaze. Taking his seat again, he felt her eyes on him. Studying his movements.She was unholy beautiful.Angry or not.Firelight played with some gold tones in the white of her hair. Making her seem to glow.He itched to wind his fingers in its luxurious length.It’d be as soft as the rest of her.“You’re eying me as thoughI’m&
As promised, Sebastian was in Elsabet’s chamber in under an hour. Padding in on quiet paws. He went to Elsabet.She was sitting in a chair by the window, looking out over the meadow to the trees beyond.He sat before her, curling his long black tail around his paws as he peered at her through yellow eyes.“Hello, my friend.” She murmured. But she didn’t look at him. Which made him wonder, if she had understood what he said more than she’d indicated.Perhaps it was why she wanted to fight. Her own brand of denial. But with her, he was never sure about anything.“Do you wonder what I’m thinking?” She murmured. Stroking the top of his flat head. “Or, like him, do you peer into my mind.”I haven’t peered into your mind in a long time, my love. Or I might know what you want of me. He thought morosely.“Is he right?” She murmured. “Do you only come to spy on me?”He huffed. Scooting closer t
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