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35 Long Wait “I didn’t see you as weak.” Lucien reiterated. He inhaled a long breath and squared his shoulders. I was eyeing him skeptically. Unsure if I believed that. A fact which must’ve prompted him to explain further. “Everyone feared me back then.” He reluctantly elaborated. “I was a wild animal, barely civil as you well know." I didn’t deny that. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen any hint of the cruel beast that kept me prisoner aboard his ship. I had to agree with that much. He sighed. “But you, you defied me from the get.” I told him I was a cabin boy, even though he could see I was a woman. I winced as I recalled how well he’d taken the lie… He was furious. He shook his head, a faint smile pulling his lips and changing his face to something breathtaking as he recalled that time. “I thought you were…beautiful." He uncrossed his arms and reached for me. I jumped slightly, unsure what to expect. For a heartbeat, I was sure he was going to keep me in this fortress. No matter what it takes. Instead, he slowly flattened it against my cheek as he looked at me, murmuring. “And stubborn. And fierce. When all was said and done, you stood at that deck railing and stared back at me. Gazing defiantly through those flames to meet my eyes. Even after you knew you'd set my ship ablaze, and effectively destroyed everything I possessed, you dared to challenge me with that look…” I chewed my lip. I forgot I did that. That’s how he saw me? Was that why he hunted me down and found me in the tavern? I didn’t think so. I’d always believed that he’d done that because he’d already known I was carrying Molly. And how special that was. The way he was describing me now, sounded so sincere…It didn’t sound like he thought I was pitiful at all. “Believe me," He said solemnly, as if sensing my thoughts. “I never  saw you as weak." I was falling under his seductive spell. I knew I was. And still, I somehow couldn't stop staring back at him. “Am I your captive now, Lucien?” I whispered. “Like I was then?" “Never." He said solemnly. “It nearly killed you to be one, the first time." His gaze roved my face before he continued. “I would never do that to you again." “Then you have no choice but to let me walk away. Again, Lucien." I said the words as if I were dropping a rock into a well. I knew that the words would rip through him and leave inarguable reverberations in his psyche. But it was the only way I knew of, to make him let me go. He’ll never let me leave otherwise. He snapped from his daze, as if he’d hardly been listening to me while he studied my features. He shook himself and looked away, as if there was something in his expression he thought to hide from me. “Don't ask me to do that. They won't stop coming for you just because we're not with you. You’ll be hunted nonetheless, I assure you." “I know that." “Then do not ask it of me!” He proclaimed, glancing toward Molly’s room and remembering to drop his voice to a hushed whisper. “You cannot demand that I let you wander out into whatever nightmarish storm awaits you beyond these gates." “Then I won't." I walked passed him with my bag. Striding down the hall as quietly as I could. “You don’t have to give me your permission. Then you don’t have to feel any guilt about anything that happens.” “Good!” He hissed through his teeth. “Because I’m not giving it. And the hell I won’t, Bex!” He turned to argue with my back as I crossed the hall toward the stairs. “What you’re doing is reckless! And… wrong .” I didn’t respond to him as I made my way. We could argue about it all night, and he’d still never concede. But when I reached the banister I hesitated. Eventually turning back as I rubbed the banister in an effort to reassure myself that leaving was the right thing to do. “Lucien?" He lifted his head, his dark eyes written with pain. “Yes?" “Don't let them hurt our baby." “Never." *** Lucien stood in that hall on the second floor. Listening as Bex went down the stairs. He winced every time she took a step which led her further from him. He had experienced many painful things during his extended life. But of them all, this one was the worst. Every one of her footfalls in the foyer rang like a thunderclap in his ears. His heart boomed in his chest and fear had him holding his breath. He knew what could be waiting for Bex beyond the walls of the fortress. Sure as there was an incoming rain, there would be assassins in the village beyond. “Don't go..." He breathed. Doing his best to will her to stay. She never heard him. The front door closed anyway. And with it, a piece of his soul fractured. “Father?" Molly’s bleary voice rose as she opened her chamber door to poke her head out. “Did I hear the front door?" He only looked at her. His throat worked as he struggled to swallow the lump forming in his throat. If he’d tried to speak that moment, it would’ve emerged as an unintelligible croak. “Is someone here?" She prompted, her expression turning more urgent. He had no choice but to speak now. And damn Bex, for making him lie to his baby girl. “No." He said quietly. “They're gone." “Oh, okay" She shrugged, frowning slightly. He watched her going back to her room, knowing he would have to explain to her later tonight, that her mother had gone with the hope of ensuring Molly’s ultimate well-being. He knew Molly wasn't going to understand why her mother had abandoned her. She'd only ever been away from Bex when she was spending time catching up with him near the docks. For a few hours at most. Never more. Lucien knew his daughter would want the same thing he did. To protect Bex. Here in the fortress. As sure as he breathed, Molly would go after her mother. He needed to buy Bex time to hunker down somewhere so Molly didn't decide to go with her. The worst part of it was that, as much as he hated Bex being out there alone, he knew Molly was the immediate target the assassins were focused on. And the fortress was the safest place for her. Which meant he had to persuade her to stay, and hope her mother came to her senses and eventually returned before an assassin cornered her. It was going to be a long wait.

34 Nothing to Do “There’s nothing you can do, Lucien.” I sighed, massaging my temple. “Molly has just explained a few things to me that I’m having a hard time facing.” “Which is?” “That my presence puts you and her in more danger.” “What? Why!” “Because if you’re both trying to protect yourselves and me in the midst of battle, then one of you will get hurt. You can’t do protect the both of us.” “The hell I can’t.” His jaw tightened. “Watch me.” “Lucien, please be rational." I said tiredly. Knowing that my chances of persuading him to hear me out were slim to none. “I'm perfectly rational." He waved his hands to gesture to himself. “Or do you mistake me for some hysterical maid." Imagining him hysterical was nearly enough to make me laugh aloud. He would never! He blinked at the amused expression on my face, meeting my gaze. Lucien was generally unflappable. Never hysterical. “No, I do not. I simply think you may be overestimating your abilities, or perhaps underestimating their devotion to their cause.” How many assassins have come for us already? How many more will there be? He scoffed. “Bex! You've not the faintest idea of the extremes I'm capable of." “You think I don't know!" I gasped in outrage. If anyone does, I do. I thought. “No, Bex." He shook his head solemnly. “You have no idea how far I'd go to protect you or our Molly. They don’t know the level of violence I'm willing to enact if they keep pushing." “I don't think you're hearing me." I said quietly. None of that will matter if he has to protect me as well as Emily. I just want him to watch out for her. Which meant I needed to take myself out of the equation. “Oh, I'm hearing you." He lowered his head in warning, his dark eyes flashing in irritation. “I just think you may be preparing to say something foolish. And I'm telling you, right now, that I’m not going to hear it." His eyes narrowed on me. “Lucien..." I tried again. “Don't you dare tell me you want to go, to keep her safe…” He gestured furiously toward Molly’s room. “That would just be you lying to yourself." “She said-" I started to defend myself. “She was trying to tell you not to try to jump in.” He asserted. “I know our girl. And I know she wasn't trying to tell you that you're a danger to her." I glowered at him. Realizing that he’d defeated all my arguments before I even had the chance to present them. But he’s not going to change my mind. “You really aren't going to hear me out?" “Not if that’s what you're going to say to me.” We glared at each other for a long moment. When I opened my mouth to speak, he abruptly strode out the door. I gaped after him. He slammed my chamber door closed before I could utter a word. I wish you’d make some effort to understand… I thought sorrowfully. I have to go. Those were the words I never got to get out. I stared at the door where he'd left. A terrible, heavy, sorrow settled over me. It had never occurred to me that there would be a day that I couldn't protect Molly, and Lucien could. Perhaps it should’ve…I’m not the same thing she is. Still, I’d always thought I was the best person to protect her. But if Molly was right, then I was more of a hindrance than a help. I won't let her get hurt because of me.   I grabbed one of my larger tunics from the armoire. I tied the arms together and knotted the bottom closed. Forming a sort of bag that I could stuff with my belongings. I tugged at the knots. Once I was certain it was secure, I shoved a few things through the collar. I packed it with as many clothes as I could carry then I hung the arms over my shoulder like a strap with which to carry it. I tiptoed to my bedroom door and creaked it open so I could slip out. I backed out so I could maintain a grip on the door and guide it closed behind me, as quietly as possible. I turned to aim down the corridor, and came face to face with Lucien. He was leaned against the opposite wall, just passed my doorway. His shoulder was braced against the wall. His ankles were leisurely crossed, and he was inspecting his thumbnail thoughtfully. I wasn’t deceived by the casual pose. He’s coiled like a snake. Ready to bite me if I try to pass him. Apparently, he'd lingered in the hall for the sole purpose of saying one thing to me. “No." “Lucien." “No." He asserted more harshly. Shaking his head. “You're not going." “Lucien, I am." “I'm not playing with you, girl." He straightened. His expression hardened and he looked ready to grab me. “It will be safer if I'm not here." I said more gently, sensing his tension. “For whom?" He asked acidly. Nothing I say is going to appease him. He’s not going to see things my way. I could already tell. I answered anyway. “For her." I gestured toward Molly's door, then remembered to lower my voice. “For you." “You're not doing me any favors!” I tilted my head reprimandingly. Frustrated that he wouldn’t at least hear me out. “Leaving just when she needs you most." He said bitterly, unusual sarcasm entering his voice. “That'll certainly benefit her." “Don't you dare judge me." “I will, in this." “You can protect her better if I'm not interfering." “The hell I can." He stiffened. “Every time we're attacked here, what do you presume will be on my mind?" “I haven't the faintest idea how you think." “Well, let me enlighten you then." He sauntered closer to me, his arms crossed over his chest in disapproval. “I would be worrying that your being attacked as well, and there's no one there to defend you." I jerked my sword from my scabbard and tightened my fist around the hilt as I held my weapon at my side. “I am not entirely without my defenses." “Your best defense against these assassins, is me.” “Ugh!” I raged. “You still see me as the weak creature you took captive on your ship, even now, don't you?" He gave a cold laugh. “You saw yourself as weak, I never thought any such thing." My eyes narrowed on him. “I don't believe you." Why else would he have kept me prisoner?

70 Injured Mate Markinnon gasped. “No!” She left her mate to rush around the bed. Catching my shoulders, she shook me. “What happened! What happened to him!” Fear of what was being done to her son had completely taken over. “I don’t know.” I whimpered. Staring up at her with a terrified expression. “My back…” “It’s his.” She said. I know. KJ…  Pain roared through me. But it was the type elicited by fear. A sort of psychological agony that couldn’t be tamed. It would torment me for days to come. “Tell me what's happened to my son!" Markinnon's voice rose in panic. She was jerking as if she wanted to grab me by my shoulders and shake me. “She doesn't know!" The alpha, looking for more alert from the pain he'd endured, caught his mate's arm and hauled her back from me. “She can't possibly know that. You know that, Markinnon. Let the girl breathe!" “Don't you want to know!" She expostulated, whirling her head to shout at him. “Of course I do! But they’ve not been together long enough for their bond to be that defined. Not like ours." I wanted him to be wrong. But he wasn't. I knew KJ was hurt but I couldn't possibly say how badly it was. Nor what manner of injury it was. Which made me sick. Keep moving forward. I told myself. You can’t do anything for him from here, other than help his father. It might be the last thing I would ever get to do for KJ. Emotion sliced through me and unshed fluid filled my eyes. My body shook as I hesitantly returned to my feet. The two females that had come in with Markinnon had to help me balance on my unsteady legs. They rushed to my sides and caught my arms, steadying me. I drew a strengthening breath and forced myself to return to the alpha’s bedside. I put my hands on the edge of the cot before me. I saw that despite the tunic he wore over his chest and shoulders, his leg was bare. Because the healer needed to be able to get to it. I guessed. He offered his leg from beneath the coverlet. The blanket eased aside, and my eyes landed on his leg, and the ugly wound festering there. I yanked myself from that hideous place of fear and focused on the task before me. It’s all I can do right now. I had no way of knowing how KJ was. Even if I tried to find him, I didn’t have any idea where he was. He was already at least a full day away. I can’t get to him. It made me feel like I was somehow failing him. Which felt… Wrong . I had no choice but to wait until they returned, to see how he was. I won't know how badly he’s suffering until then. I wrung out a new rag and rapidly cleaned the wound. I didn't say anything as I worked. I couldn't. Tears filled my eyes, and my throat felt choked. It was everything I had, not to sob aloud. Markinnon dutifully circled back to her mate's bedside. She scooped up his hand, clutching it between both of hers. She brought it to her lips. Kissing his fingers lovingly. Her gaze was misty as she looked at him. All her frustration from the moment before was gone as she looked at him now. I didn't have it in me to reassure her. Not when I already felt like a piece of me was dying. What am I going to do if KJ never comes home? What if I never get to talk him again? I couldn't even fathom the prospect of that happening. And I couldn’t help wondering, what would become of me then. Since he already claimed me? I felt like whatever existence I was forced to live at that point would feel terribly broken. Hollow… There was a dark canyon of pain opening up within me. I felt like I was already falling through darkness with no one there to catch me at the bottom. The alpha was shuddering in his bed, rattling the frame of it as he fought against the pain cutting into him. He turned so pale that he became a shade of gray. His eyes reddened as tiny vessels within them ruptured. His body was at war with itself. I could tell. “I have to wash out the inside of the wound." I told him. Hoping he’d calm if he understood why I was torturing him. “Fine." He roared, staring at the ceiling as he fought to retain control of his animal. His sweating throat worked. Markinnon winced. The look she offered me indicated she was nervous. I understood the message she was trying to convey. He can't take much more. He was minutes away from losing his composure. He could lash out. “Brace yourself." I warned him. Hoping he wouldn’t rip my throat out for hurting him. He growled impatiently. I pulled a new rag from the stack and scooted one of the buckets to the side with my foot, before replacing it with a clean one. I huffed a long breath and steeled myself. I wrapped the rag around the tip of my finger and hesitated. I glanced at the alpha and saw he'd gone from deathly pale to vividly flushed. Which could go badly for me. He was nearly at his breaking point. The fact that he was still conscious was testament to his alpha strength. Anyone else would’ve passed out by now. I gathered my courage and dared to reach into the wound. I pressed into the muscle and pus infection. Pushing through until I felt solid tissue. I stirred my finger around, changing the angle despite the suctioning sound the wound made. I winced but proceeded to scoop out every bit of soft gooiness that I could reach. Stirring through then pushing it out of the hole so it poured onto the side of his thigh. One of the other females next to me reached over and swiped it, as I went. He was jerking the bedding. Twisting against the sheets and blanket. His wolf snarled furiously. A sound which emerged from his throat and nostrils in a rumbling echo. I grabbed what remained of the herbs. And stuck the whole handful in to pack the wound. Hoping that it would be enough to keep it open. He shouted profanity and jerked, but didn’t move to harm me. Still, I felt like I was on borrowed time if I pushed him much further. He’s trying to contain an alpha wolf. While injured. 71 Changed Relations Markinnon handed me long strips of clean fabric. “Put this over it. I took the last one off so you could see how bad it had gotten." I nodded. Thankful that he hadn’t been in this condition for long. It means his chances are better. And it made me think more highly of Karisha’s work. I’d been worried that it was this way for a prolonged period. I grabbed it from the girl. “Help me." I ordered the other two. They circled around to cautiously lift his foot, then lower it, so I could wrap the cloth above and below it. Circling his thigh until all the crusted herbs were locked into the gouge. He panted, finally slumping. His eyelids fluttered, then after a few moments, whispered closed and remained that way. He’d surrendered to his exhaustion. I rounded the bed to face Markinnon. “I’m going to the room.” “You're not even going to close it up?" She sounded appalled as she gestured to the largely bruised area which was now bandaged. She thought I would stitch it. I recognized. For someone who didn’t understand healing, an open wound that large probably looked like it should be. “No." I shook my head adamantly as I used the last clean rag to wipe my hands and arms free of the contaminated blood. “Those herbs will not only fight the infection they will generate a coating that will help fill the injury from the inside out. It will also prevent any new bacteria from gaining footing. This is the best way.” “But it's still open!" Markinnon cried in objection. “Has to be.” I stated. “That’s why Karisha left it that way. If it heals over, it can trap any infection there might've been in it, rather than giving it the chance it needs to push it out." She chewed her lip worriedly but did eventually bob her head in understanding. She doesn’t like it. But she’s hearing me. Which seemed like a big change from her hating me. It seems like a modicum of respect. “Now," My voice hardened. “I'm going to clean up and wait for the hunting party to get back." So I can find out how badly KJ is hurt. Were the words I left unsaid. “Okay." Something that looked almost like sympathy crossed her features. “I'll bid you both farewell." I moved to go. “Witherstring." The alpha's voice cracked through the air like a whip. I froze, my shoulders stiffening. My wolf cringed away from the authority in his voice. I slowly peered over my shoulder. Our exhausted leader peered sideways at me, still fighting to catch his breath while his head rested back against the wall. His chest rose and fell beneath his hide tunic. “Yes, alpha?" “I trust that no words of my condition will trip from any of your tongues." He glanced at the other females too. “Yes, Alpha." the other she-wolves said in unison with me. “Good wolves." He praised.          The other two females exited immediately. Not wanting to give him a chance to grow annoyed with them. But the prolonged way he was looking at me implied he had something more to say. I remained behind. “Thank you, Henna." He breathed more quietly. Tilting his head down. “For your help." “I did all I know to do." I quietly cautioned. “But I can't guarantee that the result will be you back on your feet." “We know." Markinnon was quick to assure me. Her eyes were truly soft for the first time ever when she looked at me. I wearily strode from that forbidden chamber. Relieved to be exiting it and subsequently leaving the strain that I’d endured in there, back in that room. Now I was on to something even more difficult. Seeing if he comes back. Or if he’s gone forever… I used the back of my wrist to shove sweat-soaked hair back from my eyes. I made my way to KJs chamber, intent on waiting there in the hope of seeing him as soon as he arrived. I entered the chamber, pausing in the doorway as I took in the infinite silence of the room. A pained silence filled the space that made the smallest noise seem to echo on forever. It felt like a broken place without KJ’s presence filling it. I sighed, striding across the room to the washbasin on the mantle. Though every step felt like it required more energy then I possessed. I just have to wait. I told myself. Even though I felt like there was so much more I should be doing. I splashed my face from water in the washbasin. Scrubbing my neck and arms. When there was a tentative knock on the door, I turned in surprise. Who now? I had hoped for some peace and quiet. I cracked the door to find the two she-wolves which had helped me tend the alpha. Between them, was a deep tub. “We were directed to bring you this.” “What? Why?” They had already lifted it back up, each of them carrying an end, and were striding passed me to take it near the fire. I watched them with a baleful expression. “Our beta ordered us to draw you a warm bath, so we did.” One explained. “So that you might clean up from your labors." The other one added, sounding a bit more cheerful. I gaped at them, surprised by her unexpected kindness. “She told you to bring me a bath?" It sounded too good to be true. I couldn’t recall the last time I’d had a warm bath. “Yes." One of the girls was nodding as they turned to scurry toward the stairs. From Markinnon? Why is she suddenly being nice to me. Because I did what I could for the alpha. I recognized that this bath was something like a peace offering. Her way of both saying she was thankful and of promising to be nicer in future. I was willing to take it. A bath sounds nice.         It would be a pleasant way to while away a few hours, in the hope that KJ might arrive. In moments, I was letting the girls back into the chamber, carrying steaming buckets. Three return trips and they had filled it. I let them out and before I climbed in I stuck my head into the hall, wanting to ensure I hadn't missed KJ’s return while I was waiting for them. I was disappointed to find that there was no sign he was back. The castle felt as painfully quiet as this chamber did. An image of him flashing that heart stopping smile crashed through my brain. If I never saw it again it would feel like the loss of every star in the night sky. My world would be darker for it. I shed my clothes and sank into the warm embrace of the water. I let it wash over me, thinking that I wanted to be clean and welcoming when he got back. Nothing like I was. I want to change things. If...  I mentally corrected. If he comes home. There’s no guarantee he will. I forced myself to remember. No matter how bad it would hurt, it would hurt more if I let myself think I could count on it and then discovered I was wrong. I wouldn’t be able to bear it.

88 Across the Moon My heart was pounding in my throat so hard that I barely noticed a shadow crossing over the moon and casting a looming darkness over the ground. Before either I or Collin could reach Marlay, a giant creature descended. A bird. It caught Marlay in a taloned grip and used the sweeping edge of truck-sized wings as leverage to throw Collin back. Then it used them to brace itself in order to throw its body back into the air. Nick. I’d never been so relieved to see him. He had embraced the full form of the blood bird and now encompassed the clearing. “Get her out of here!” I shouted at him, hoping he might hear me over everything else. His head whipped toward me, and he was instantly in the air. “No!” Collin raged at the others. “Get them! Shoot them down!” No. I couldn’t see anything else as I watched them rising into the halo of darkness above. Collin’s voice drew to a gurgling stop, and I spotted Kurik, his fingers covered in blood. Collin’s throat was a gaping hole, and his eyes looked like glassy marbles. He teetered for a heartbeat before he collapsed limply. Already dead.    Gently cradling her slender form, he flew skyward. All his attention was focused on going up. Which left him utterly unprepared for the first burst of tolari magic. It hit him in a bloom of searing pain, carving its way into his spine and then the nerves winding there. He struggled to stay airborne as they hammered him with a barrage of magic. He jerked and twisted, falling several times before managing to catch himself and continue his ascent until he was able to reach a nearby hilltop beyond the fighting. Darla emerged from where he’d already hidden her. I watched as he lowered Marlay next to his sister. Darla caught her arm and dragged her deeper into the grove to hide her. Nick bobbed his blue head, and went skyward again. Returning over the clearing and scanning below. Returning to the fight. The boy that had first come to our house was frightened of everything. This bird was returning to the fight. This is what Marlay saw in him to begin with. I nodded in approval at him as he flew over. Scanning the field. I went back to fighting the tolari before me. Wielding my weapon with ferocious energy now that I knew Marlay was safe. Two robed figures rushed me together and I lifted my blade but before they could reach me a long wing swept them from my path, hurling them into the trees a distance away. Once he’d flown low enough to be in view in order to help me, the tolari didn’t hesitate to hurtle layers of magic at him as soon as they spotted him. He made it through the first three relatively unscathed, but the next one singed his wing, and his feathers caught fire. He whipped his head in alarm. Spotting a barren spot he moved to land. But before he’d fully descended the flame had burnt several holes through his left wing. Spiraling in a free fall, he ended up upside down staring at his flailing yellow claws and the tips of his wings as they flapped frantically in an attempt to catch air. Slamming to the ground made everything bright with pain. His vision grayed than darkened and he could no longer move. His final breath left him in a whoosh and Nick became unbearably still. The rumble under my feet was enough to make me take a step in order to brace myself. I ducked a tolari weapon and severed the man in half with a swing of my magic. My horrified gaze landed on the injured blayen. Running to his side I didn’t take the time to wonder why I cared. My only thought was that he’d saved Marlay and now my baby sister would be devastated. Sound stopped as kelminar clawed their way from the mound. Nearby I saw Kurik dodging every effort that Baron tried to strike him with. He danced away and ripped apart more tolari, leaving them between him and Baron. I knew what he was doing. He can’t focus on Baron when he knows the tolari are at his back. He was trying to clear a path to fight Baron. Baron’s attention was diverted from his quarry when one of the creatures clawing its way from the mound roared his name. Which drew all our gazes. The man fighting his way out looked just like Baron but with a smooth face rather than facial hair. He ripped his head from the dirt, shaking it as he scoured everyone there. “Baron!” Baron looked deflated as he rushed over, his gaze brightening as he hugged the other man. That one was slightly larger, and he slapped Baron’s back as they laughed joyously. After a short conversation, Baron and his look alike turned to veer toward us, the Blayen and I. Which drew Kurik’s eye. He was bloodied, and his skin was withered as if he’d been drained already. I crouched into a fighting stance next to Nicholas. I couldn’t save him from the turbulence of the tolari fire strikes, but I could fight off anyone that wanted to cut him. I looked over and saw there was a line of men and women coming over the ridge from town. At the forefront was Deborah, her face written with wrath. She gave a war cry, and the other people, dressed like every banker or store clerk I’d ever seen, marched in after her. Engaging the tolari. She rounded up the unallied canastras in town to fight with us. I realized. I didn’t know how she knew, but I was thankful, nonetheless. The tolari surrounded them. Chomping through them as if they were a meal. It gave me and mine a slight reprieve, but they wouldn’t last long. We were so outnumbered that it seemed nearly impossible that I could get those I cared for out of this alive. I’m going to lose them. “Baron!” Kurik roared. “Don’t touch her!” As that booming voice filled the air, Alisa released a limp tolari she’d been proceeding to beat to death. She let him fall. Baron whipped around to face Kurik. Even with the tolari bodies scattered between them their voices rose. “Even the Ancient and his baby sister are no match for our force.” Baron declared. “Glancing over to see Alisa approaching from his right. Her saunter indicating she intended to fight. Behind Baron, his brother grinned broadly. “No, they won’t be.” “Don’t get overconfident now.” Alisa said coldly. “You’re outnumbered.” Baron’s brother confirmed what I’d already been thinking. “Look how fast they’re coming out now.” Baron focused on Kurik. “Stop wasting our time with this battle, you’re too late.” Hands reached out of the gaping split in the mound and more black-eyed kelminar hoisted themselves out. More followed, pouring out three and four at a time. Beneath them the dirt groaned as others stacked below fought their way to the top of the struggling bodies in order to emerge. *** “Aw, look at this!” A pleased voice called from the side of the hill coming down from the direction of our mansion. It was a man I didn’t recognize. But he sounded cheerful, which worried me. “They think they have a chance.” He glanced at two other men standing next to him. “Let’s up the ante, a little shall we?” Baron hissed through his teeth, retreating a step. His brother looked just as uneasy at the sight of these men. “Thomas.” Baron said worriedly. “We need to get out of here.” His brother advised, not looking away from the other men. Who are they? I’d seen glimpses of them before but didn’t understand what was happening here. “Baby sister!” Troy Warrick put a hand to his mouth to call. “It seems you found our Ancient.” Alisa brightened. “That I did!” Kurik groaned. “Quit playing and get down here and help.” “Gladly!” Lairn responded, waving his brothers down the hill. Kurik shook his head as they flooded down the hill. “Is that the guy Alisa?” Troy jogged to his sister’s side and saw Baron backing through the crowd. “ The  one?” She gave a tight-lipped nod as he gestured to Baron. “Hear that, brothers?” He called over his shoulder, his gaze steady on Kurik. “This is the guy that broke our baby sister’s heart.” He swung his head in Baron’s direction. “Not good for him.” Rueben interjected, his eyes darkening with irritation. Baron gave a puzzled frown. “She’s usually the kind hand taming our violence.” Rueben explained with a pitying nod. “In your case I doubt she’ll be so generous.” Troy contributed. With a hard expression, Alisa shook her head. “Nope, he’s all yours, boys.” “What do you want us to do, Kurik?” Lairn asked. “Just clear me a path to him.” Kurik told them. “Alrighty then.” Troy rubbed his hands together. “And” She inputted. “he’s the cause of our big brother being in a dungeon for two hundred years.” I opened my mouth to argue that it was a girl he murdered on the balcony, but Alisa shot me a quelling look. She doesn’t want me to argue it right now. She’s giving them fuel for their fire. I realized. Deciding to let it ride. For once. Kurik was looking at me with lifted brows, as if he couldn’t believe I hadn’t interjected to correct her.

Chapter Thirteen Untamed Eventually Elsabet separated from them to wander the chamber, tidying things. “Where you going?” He asked, wishing she’d come back and visit with him some more. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” He knew she moved restlessly around her chamber when she was agitated. She gave him her back, pushing her head back from her face before gathering herself and turning to face him as she blurted. “You were gone so long.” Sounding almost sad. “I thought, perhaps, you might want some time from me. Was I gone too long?” She swallowed, looking pained as she reached for Sebet. “Na-uh.” He jerked away, laughingly batting her hand. “You’ve had days. My turn, mama.” She stared at him in astonishment but after a moment of shocked silence, she began to giggle. Her narrow shoulders heaving as she laughed. Eventually she sobered, tilting her head back as she nodded. Her gaze clung to him. He prayed she’d speak her thoughts, but at length she decided against whatever she’d thought to say. Turning away she began tidying her chamber. Leaving him to joyously hold his small daughter. Giving me time. Sebet was rubbing her tiny hand along his collarbone. “What are you doing, Little One?” He greeted. She burbled happily as if she fully believed she was telling him about everything he’d missed since he’d been gone. He nodded until she paused and took a breath. Staring at him with her big blue eyes as if she were awaiting a response.   “How I missed you!” He spun a little circle with her. Making her giggle racuously. A beautiful sound. She popped her thumb in her mouth and nestled her head more heavily against his neck and chest. Such an amazing feeling. “Oh…” He cherished the embrace. Patting her little head encouragingly. “It’s nearly her nap time.” Elsabet explained. Sebastian often volunteered to walk Sebet until she fell asleep, so he was eager for the excuse to hold her longer. Bast grinned. Happy to walk the hall with her until she rested in his arms. I wouldn’t forsake this feeling for all of Ardae. Elsabet watched him from the doorway. She leaned against the jam, her lips turned slightly as she observed them. “She’s so  beautiful.” He murmured as he swayed with his baby girl propped on his hip. “She’s tired.” Elsabet reached out. Bast looked at her waiting hands and the top of his daughter’s head before reluctantly handing her over to her mother. He pushed out his bottom lip in a feigned pout. She is her mother. She knows what’s best for her. He trusted his mate with all things Sebet. Elsabet took her gently into her arms. I’ve never seen her so tender with anything. He noted. Proud of the manner of mother she was. He’d always thought her an astonishing beauty, but with her daughter in her arms…She was breathtaking. Her features were soft. Her expression undisguised love. Every caress she offered the little one, was testament to undying devotion. How I wish she’d touch me thus. Rocking the babe, she turned to walk to the bassinet, but was stalled when he wrapped sinewy arms around them both again. Hugging his girls to him and dropping his forehead to the back of Elsabet’s. She was so tiny that even holding their daughter he was able to completely envelope her. I just want to keep her safe for all of my existence. To shelter them both until my last breath. “What are you thinking?” Her soft voice rose. “That I’d give anything I own to stay like this forever.” “And what if I wanted something more?” Like what? With his curiosity pricked, he moved his head to the side to peer at her profile. “More?” His arms slid away so he could step to the front of her. What would you have? Ask me, just once, for something which I can give you. Something other than to be free of me. “What if I wanted to play with her in trees? To show her the Valkyrie Haven on the Lost Island?” Her voice cracked. You want to leave. He put her words together to illustrate her need. Pain tore over his features and the light died from him. “You could ask me for anything else and I’d give it to you in an instant. Why is it always the one thing I fear giving you?” He wondered if it was to start a fight in order to put distance between them. “You could give it though!” She snapped. Her eyes narrowed, and the red crept from the edges toward her pupils. “You choose not to!” “Enough of this conversation!” He threw up his hands and stalked away. There’s no way for me to gain any ground in this debate. She had said, after she had Sebet, that she would remain in WaterRose. Still, she brought up leaving. Even after what happened in the grove. Radix had sent nearly every cimmerii in his arsenal to kill Elsabet. In order to get Sebet. He would joyfully slaughter them both like lambs for dinner. Bast thought, sickened by that thought. Her words brought him to a dead stop. “Who’s running now, Sebastian?” She said under her breath. Sensing their dissension, Sebet whimpered. Elsabet drew a regretful breath as her gaze fell to the distressed little one. She cooed to their babe. Rocking her again as Bast jolted forward to force himself through the doorway and to the stairs. But a shameful voice in his head answered her. I am. Once in the library, he pressed his back against the wall near the door. Slumping, he drew a distressed hand through his hair. Regretting that such a wondrous moment had gone so fast. Because I can’t lose them. *** It was a few days later when Sebastian dared to enter the solar with Sebet trotting gracelessly at his side. Elsabet had rather taken over the area. Vines hung along the walls, framing the tapestries. There were pots on the floor from which they’d grown. She had artfully guided them over the walls. Fresh flowers were in vases in every corner. The room was wild. Beautiful. In the same untamed way that Elsabet was. She sat on a bench next to the window, where the sun could pour over her from the countless window slits, as if she were sitting outside rather than indoors. She looked up from the book she held to glance at them. “What’s this?” Though he and Elsabet both lovingly parented Sebet, it was often separately. Which was something Sebastian found immensely sad. Elsabet interacted with Sebet, or allowed him to, but it was rare that they all three were together anymore. Sebet’s gleaming blue eyes were intent as she followed in her father. He clutched her tiny hand, feeling her short fingers curling around the edge of it. She glanced adoringly at him. Willing to follow me anywhere. He thought proudly. “Come with me Elsabet.” Bast offered his hand in invitation. Tired of being apart from her. He gave her a turquoise eyed stare that challenged her to chicken out of taking it. She looked down. Assessing the hand hovering there. The palm he offered was tanned, long fingered and beautiful with fine lines etched across it. A hand large enough to swallow hers if she accepted it. “Come on sweetheart.” He beckoned. “Come with us.” He knew that saying us was sure to elicit a response in her. “Come.” Sebet bobbed her head. And Elsabet was undone. Because she can’t deny her daughter time. He smiled. “Yes, mama. Come.” She stiffened, drawing a long breath. “Come on, Elsabet…” He whispered. Urging her before she could change her mind. “Have some fun with us.”

132 Need Him Jackson loves touching me. I let his words sink in. Savoring the sound of them. It was nice to hear. That confession brought me closer to him. It gave me the drive to offer him more of my inner self. The part of me that I always kept so carefully guarded.   Jackson’s callused hands landed on my thighs. His textured fingers dug in enough to indent the soft skin but not pinch it. He dragged those hands methodically upward. Claiming me as his. That whispering touch glided over one shoulder blade. Drawing over the shoulder opposite the one he was against. So he could watch every deliberate stroke and see how my body tensed and relaxed in response to those butterfly touches. In my peripheral I saw the tip of a downy gray feather, pointed with fluttering bits of down that wove around the stem near his fingers. I put together what he was doing to me. That’s why it tickles so badly! He was caressing me with that wispy feather. The fluffy softness of it made it seem like the caress of the gentlest fingers. It gave me goosebumps and made me shiver in delight. He curled it over my shoulder and stroked it around to the front of my chest. He guided it along my collarbone. Tracing every hollow on my body sensually. He nibbled up the side of my neck at where it curved behind my ear. I drew a shaking breath. “Jackson... This is torture. I need you to touch me…” I begged him for mercy. “No, sweetheart. I'm pleasuring you. I intend to take my time with you tonight. There haven’t been many occasions when we had all the time in the world to enjoy each other’s bodies." With that said, he drifted away from my ear. His body slid down the length of my back until he could step back and view my backside, and my legs which were bound to the bench. He stood there without making a sound for so long that I thought I might explode with need before I felt his hands on me. The curiosity of what he might do next was burning in my brain. What he did do had me struggling to remember that I was supposed to be tied up. That feather rubbed along the inside of one over sensitized inner thigh. My leg shook, bouncing my weight on my toes as my muscles inadvertently shuddered. I nearly crawled from my skin from that intimate brush. My body was a lightning storm of vibrating currents. My legs rattled against the legs of the bench. He swirled it around the back of my knee before dragging it back up toward my ass. From there, he traced around my intimate folds, framing their shape artfully. My center was already aching. I wanted touched there so badly that I felt like I was a heartbeat away from starting on fire. Sweat was beading along my face and my breaths were shallow. I had curled my fingernails into my own palms so hard that I could feel the little half moon imprints that my nails were leaving in the skin. “Jackson..." I sobbed, desperate for more. “What sweetheart?" He said mercilessly. Intent on making me tell him what I needed. “Please...” I implored. “Let me feel you." There would be immediate relief the second I felt the pleasurable stretching of my inner walls as he entered me. I need it. “Tell me why I should." He said huskily. This is agony! I wanted to whine. “Because I need your cock!" “Oh?" Interest burned in his tone. “You need it?" “Yes.” I breathed. “Where do you want it, baby girl?" He rose to stand behind me. Waiting to see if I wanted him in my mouth or in my hot little hole. I could feel his presence back there. His legs were so close to framing mine that my skin crackled from his nearness. I knew how close I was to having the satisfaction of him filling me. I could barely wait. “I want you inside me, Jackson." I won’t be ashamed of it anymore. He was the only male I had ever desired, the only one I ever wanted to be mine. The one I had wanted to wed. “God damn woman!" He whistled approvingly upon hearing my words. It took me a moment to register what I’d even said. It was as if my mouth was currently operating without any conscious thought. I told him what he was waiting to hear. I knew. “That is, by far, the hottest thing you've ever said to me." He responded, sounding awestruck. He palmed one of my ass cheeks and moved it aside, stroking the inner line with his thumb as he stepped between my ankles. Moving the globe of flesh aside offered him a clear view of my lower lips, and my opening which was already dripping with dewy liquid, ready for him. He brushed his finger along that spot and lifted that little bit of glistening fluid on his fingertip. I had to know what he was doing with it. I twisted to peer back at him. He met my eyes as he popped that finger between his lips. He hummed with pleasure. “You taste so sweet, pure honey…” I swallowed, the sight of him tasting me off his fingers was so erotic that I already felt like I was going to come the moment he entered me. I don’t know if I’ll be able to hold it back. “Tell me, baby girl, do you want me to make love to you?" He asked silkily. “No." I blurted thoughtlessly. Shaking my head as much as my restraints would allow. I want to feel him! I thought wickedly. I wanted to ache after he was done with me. “No?” He inquired. “Say what you want, woman. Tell me." I felt his knob brushing against my opening. He turned his hips in leisurely circles. Dragging his cock against me torturously. I strained against those ribbons as I teetered back on my toes. Pushing myself against him hard enough to invite him to press his length against me. “Fuck me, Jackson. Hard." He wasted no time in accommodating me. He caught a fistful of hair at the back of my head, yanking it hard enough that my head tipped up. I found myself staring at the wall before me as he entered me in one long stroke. I moaned in exquisite torment. My body greedily welcomed him, slicking over his length so that he glided like silk in and out of my channel. His hands molded my hips, separating my cheeks further, so he had an unhindered eyeline of his staff dipping in and out of me. A long groan hummed from my throat. My fingers curled to dig into the wood that my arms were bound to. I clutched those wooden legs in order to hold myself against him as I was thrust forward and back over the bench. My toes pushed to the floor as I kept myself from sliding. I didn’t want my body to rock. I want to feel every inch of him. “Yes." I cried softly. Relief washed through me in a tidal wave of pleasure that scooped me into its haze and took me to a place where I was light. I felt nothing but that blissful swaying and the clamping of my center driving me to a second climax before I’d hardly come down from the first. In seconds I was rising and tumbling all over again. All he was doing was holding himself pushed deep. This is what I needed. The overwhelming heat I was generating made hissing steam rise from the pinkening flesh of my back. As it escaped, it cooled my body immensely. I blew a long gust of air. The fury of that need abated, as satisfaction replaced it. The friction helped squelch all potential sparks that had been heating to a full blaze within me. Everything that was dangerous in me faded away. Leaving only a shadow of calm bliss. I felt like a normal woman, free to enjoy something that felt this good without fearing who I could hurt or what I might destroy if my spark caught fire. I didn't have to fear that someone was going to take all this peace and pleasure from me. This is mine. He is mine. It was glorious to know that I didn't have to figure out what my next move would be. I was free to be here, in this moment. With him. I surrendered myself to the things I was feeling. The pleasure was intoxicating. I could feel his every movement all through my body. My toes curled so fiercely that they were cramping. “Ohh..." I moaned, shuddering. Jackson felt it and immediately stopped. He pressed deep into my center. Offering himself for me to hang onto. My body consumed him. Tugging at him as if to draw him deeper. Every shivering clench had him groaning in pleasure. After several hard spasms, he fell forward, bracing himself on my backside as he fought the urge to come. He struggled to catch his breath. I looked beneath the bench and saw that his heels were slightly lifted, his legs quaking as he struggled against the urge to release and end this moment. He doesn’t want to stop. He wants more.   After those quivers stopped, he stroked his hands down the smooth lines of my back, massaging me there as if to distract himself. His body shook and he drew a ragged breath. I could feel how close he was to coming. Excitement ripped through me. I wanted him to. As I panted, coming down from the high of my climax, I knew I was going to steal his too. He massaged the back of my neck and down my shoulders. As if to soothe himself more than me. He was trying to come down from his heightened state of arousal. I bit my lower lip, mischief soaring through me. I focused my body on the place where he was lodged. Deep in my center. Resting between my hips and behind my abdomen, penetrating into my core to brush along my womb. We couldn’t be closer than we are now.

138 Yearn with Me I needed Fury’s touch. Like the Doglands needed its next rain. The slightest brush of his fingers dampened me in much the same way. The anticipation of what he might touch next, how he might do it, was both agonizing and exhilarating. My lips parted and I was nearly breathless. Waiting for him to put his hands all over me, was agonizing. Time drew on as we sat there, ticking away painfully. I drew a shallow breath, my bottom lip tremored as I drew close to begging for more of that tormenting touch. His hand rested across my chest, just over the rising of my breasts. I knew he could feel them rising with every breath I took. I suspected that my heart was beating so hard that he could perceive that to. I waited for that hand to turn…and delve lower. Waited for him to test the softness of one ripe tit before he brushed his rough thumb across my nipple. Flicking it in that way he always did that made it feel as if there was a cord running straight from there to my yearning little center. “Fury…” I pleaded. But he purposely left me there waiting. He withdrew his hand, curling his fingers beneath my chin to pinch the pointed tip. “Not so fun being teased, is it sweetheart?" I tipped my head forward to give him a hard look from beneath dusky lashes. Disapproval shadowed my features as I realized he would not be continuing that sensual caress. “Fury!" “Behave yourself." He countered. Looking away as if that was settled. Ha! He lifted my hand and resumed applying the poultice. I scowled at him. A smile hugged at the corners of his mouth. “Is it wise to taunt me when I may be suffering the effects of the Cold Bond Affliction? Couldn't that worsen my state?" Though I had intended to pluck at the strings of his conscience to further the lighthearted banter building between us, I knew I'd gone too far when I saw him wince. He does feel bad. “I suppose it could.” He said tightly. Shooting me a furtive glance from beneath lowered lids. “I apologize." I pulled my hand from his grip so that I could catch his shoulders. “I'm only being playful, Fury. I'm feeling much better. Truly." His gaze flicked worriedly over my features as the muscle in the back of his jaw ticked. “I truly am feeling much better." I reassured him. Now that you're here. I thought, surer by the moment, that the fever I’d endured was gone. Now that we were in each other’s company. “You sure about that?” “I am.” All I needed to feel better, was his company. I craved him like some decadent dessert that I needed to feel melting over my tongue. Something that teased every one of my senses so sweetly that it was more irresistible by the second. The longer he touched me, the more that need grew. He finished with the poultice and set the jar on the floor next to the bed. “How are you feeling now?" “Even the sting of the bite is mellowing." I nodded to him. I was thankful for his efforts. “Good." He leaned forward and kissed my cheeks. “Get some rest." He moved to go, but I caught his hand. “Don't go." He gave me a long study. “If I remain, I will only pursue my drive to be closer to you." “I know." I breathed. “I will, Rebekah. If that's what you want." Hope jumped in me as I imagined a warm evening curled up on the fur before the fire. With me curled against him to absorb his warmth. And strength. Nothing could sound more lovely. “But,” He crouched next to the cot to be at face level with me. “you have to tell me why you would remain alone in your tent, suffering by yourself rather than coming to me. When merely sitting with me could alleviate your misery?” I felt my body tightening in reluctance to admit the truth. “It sounds foolish now." “I won't think you're foolish." I believed him. I chewed my lip, as I confessed. “I didn't want to overdo this new agreement we've come to." “Overdo it?" He frowned in confusion. Shaking his head bemusedly. “I wanted you to... Miss me..." “Miss you!" He leapt to his feet. “Woman, I missed you from the moment I set you down in your bed in the morning.” He gestured animatedly toward my cot. “Probably from the time you fell asleep, honestly. You have no idea  how I yearn for you!" I gaped at him, astonished by his outburst. I had never heard him speak so passionately about anything. He shook his head. I could visibly see him working to calm himself. He gathered his composure and softened his tone. “Rebekah, if you want to be near me than do so! Don't torment yourself, nor me, for the sake of your pride. Please !" “Okay." I bobbed my head. “I understand. I didn't want... I thought you might get... Bored with me." I finished the words and glanced away, feeling uncomfortable with being so vulnerable before him. “Ha!" He threw back his head and roared on a laugh. “Fury!" I covered his mouth, as I looked toward the windows then the door of my hut. I was certain that everyone in the camp had to have heard that amused bark of his. “I thought you didn't care who knew I was in here with you." He muttered from behind my hand. I could see the smile crinkling the corners of his eyes. That green gaze of his lit afire with his mirth. “I don't. But I don't want them to hear us and wonder what’s going on in here either.” “Nothing is.” He reminded me, wiggling his brows. “Yet.” “Someone could come creeping around to peek in.” “Why would they do that?” “Perhaps curious to see who I’m with…” I suggested. “You think the males would be that diligent?” “No.” I said flatly. “I think the nosey little females would be.” He considered that with a frown. I lowered my hand and settled back onto the cot. “I suppose they might be curious about the intimate life of their revered healer.” I scoffed, shaking my head. “I doubt they see it quite like that. Don’t you think they might resent me for being able to reject males coming into my hut whereas they’re out there battling for survival and having to fight for every freedom?” “Perhaps. But they don’t know how you’ve fought.” He loomed closer. “They’ve no idea what a little beast you are.” He scooped the back of my hips and scooted me to the edge of the cot, so he was knelt between my knees. He was looking at me in that distinctly hungry way of his. Like he could eat me whole. My breath caught a little at being so close to him. It’s always harder to breathe when he’s near. I noted. He nodded methodically. As if he knew everything I was thinking and was just confirming it. He startled me when he suddenly lunged. I didn't have time to react before he'd caught the back of my head and pulled me forward so he could kiss me. I was so off-balanced that I would've toppled off the cot, and to the floor if he hadn't been there to brace me up. I slid my legs up to curl them beneath me so that I could tilt up enough to coil my arms around his neck. He caught me under my arms and lifted me as he stood. So I dangled from him as he held me there. He braced my waist, holding me off my feet so that he could keep me against his chest. Those tree trunk arms curled around to palm my shoulders and lower back. Like he wants to keep me all to himself. It was a shame that he didn’t do it. Because I want that too. I felt him trying to be closer to me. It was unlike anything I'd experienced with him before. He doesn’t want to let me go. It dawned on me that when he’d entered the hut and seen me struggling to stay on my feet, it had scared him. That alarm was what had driven him to demand to stay with me. In all fairness, I needed him to. It was the only way that the Cold Bond Affliction was going to abate. There was something in the way he was embracing me, an intimacy with which his touch lingered that told me that this particular phase in our lives was transitioning into something new. Like the changing of seasons in the Doglands, the tempering weather between us, was heralding in something new. Something warmer. The same excitement I'd felt when I had arrived at the Asara Pack’s door returned to me now. I'd known I had found him then. I had felt him just beyond that wall. Sick and mournful. I’m finding him again now. His strength surged through me like a promise of all we could be in future. *** It was only a few hours later that I peeled my eyes open and found Fury pacing my tent agitatedly. I drew myself from my sleepy, post-pleasure daze to wake. Something is wrong with him. He looked strained. His back was tight, and his huge hands rolled into methodic fists. He’s either furious or worried. I hadn’t seen him look this upset since someone had turned a wolf in Moontower. He stalked from one end of my hut to the other. His feet scraped over the boards. The wood creaked beneath him as he moved one way, then the other. His jaw was tight and his eyes were flashing with something undefined. My alarm was growing by the second. Fury always fell into a heavy sleep after we joined. He’s never awake like this. Something had driven him from my bed, into this agitated state. And I didn’t know what it was. I have no idea! “What is it?" I asked quietly. Afraid that I might’ve done something wrong. He didn’t acknowledge me. I sat up. My red hair poured over my shoulder in a long coppery waterfall. My blue eyes were round as I shot him a worried look. “Fury! What's wrong?"

68 Alpha Thing “What if I try to help and make things worse?” I asked the alpha. He grunted, emitting a rattling breath as he scooted upward weakly. Inching into a sitting position while dragging one leg. He didn’t dare flex it to try to help himself, which indicated to me the level of pain he was enduring. “Do-do the best…” He drew a shuddering breath. “Best you can.” He winced as he settled his back against the wall at the head of his bed. “No harm…Will…come to you…” He shot Markinnon a meaningful stare. I followed it, wondering what her response to that was. Would she punish me for my efforts? She nodded. Giving me a sincere study as she announced. “I swear it.” But she looked scared. I sighed, looking to her for more information since it was obviously hard for him to talk. “Tell me everything that’s wrong.” She shifted nervously. Her hands were twisting in her skirt. “There’s the bleeding I told you about and his leg has grown very dark around the injury. I’ve been cleaning it daily but…” She waved her hands helplessly. I felt instant sympathy for the woman, despite the fact that she lured me into the castle to be KJ’s captive. I could see she was suffering right along with her mate. She feels his agony. “I’m sure you’ve done everything you can.” I was nervous though. I could see how weak he already was. It made me worry about what would happen if I further injured the Lariot patriarch despite my best efforts. He’s the alpha. If I make this worse…. It was terrifying to consider. “It keeps getting darker.” Markinnon bemoaned. I nodded in understanding. I edged closer and when the alpha only blearily opened his eyes to see me, I could see that there was a foggy look to them. I wondered if he could see me at all. He nodded toward his right leg. I reached and carefully pulled the blanket aside over his knee, working it upward until I came across a dark, expansive bruise. It stretched from mid -thigh to just above his knee. In the center there was a black slash surrounded in white. The knife wound. I hissed through my teeth. “I know.” Markinnon said tightly. It’s bad. I didn’t have the heart to say it aloud. “It’s festered.” I told her. “We have to get the infection out.” “What do we do?” We need hot water, rags and horse’s mane fern. “I’ll have one of the girl’s get it immediately.” She rushed out. I looked to the alpha. “This is going to hurt. A lot.” “It’s been hurting…” His head lolled limply sideways as he peered at me. He was exhausted, there was a haunted look to him that told me he’d already glimpsed death. This is why the family didn’t want anyone to know he was sick. He’s too weak to wage a war. Which was why KJ went. I gnawed my lip. “So you’re the one…” He remarked. I shot him a questioning glance, unsure if he could even see it. “The one that has my son so twisted in circles.” I snorted. “I don’t know about that.” He chuckled. But the sound soon turned to a hoarse cough. I tensed, worried that he might run out of breath right then. He’s so fragile… But he eventually stopped, clearing his throat as he sobered. “There’s very little that rattles my unflappable son.” “I don’t rattle KJ.” I moved the blanket as I tilted my head sideways to inspect the wound. “It’s more the other way around.” “He unnerves you, does he?” It was like he was getting used to using his vocal cords again. “Has no one been speaking with you?” I wondered aloud. “No. It unnerves them to see me in my present state.” He blew a slow breath. “Even sweet Markinnon cannot bear the sight of me now.” “They’re just afraid.” I breathed. “I know.” He admitted. “But it would be nice not to lay in this bed alone.” “I’m sure Markinnon comes to you.” “She does. But she doesn’t know what to say. And has a hard time seeing me.” “Well,” I drew a determined breath. “Let’s see if we can fix that, shall we?” “That would be divine.” “I’ve asked them to get you some horse’s mane fern. I’ll make you some tea and that will help with the pain, I promise you.” “Perhaps that was what Karisha was providing me. I didn’t know she’d gone…” He frowned. “That must be why she stopped bringing it.” “I’m certain she wouldn’t have, otherwise.” “KJ decided to go to battle.” He shook his head. “It’s unwise against these NightHunters. They’re like mice. When you see one there’s surely a nest nearby. And likely another, near that one.” “He seemed to believe he could win.” “He can, if he uses that strategist mind of his. He’s a brilliant tactician.” Why did it not surprise me to hear his father saying that? I always thought it. “He is.” I agreed. “Was it he or my mate that brought you here.” “Our beta.” “Ah. She cares for our dear boy unbelievably. She’d begun to fear that if something wasn’t done, he was going to become alpha without a mate at his side.” He was quiet for a long moment. “Especially with me so ill.” He shifted, gingerly shifting his wounded leg further to the edge of the bed to give me easier reach of it. “Without a mate, he would look weak…Alone and vulnerable.” “I won’t let him look weak.” I said absentmindedly. “Oh…I’m sure you won’t.” I popped my head up to meet his hard gaze. Even with his eyes so bleary, the effect they had was that permeating look that KJ had mastered. Maybe it’s an alpha thing… I frowned at him, wondering what he meant. “You’re bold enough to enter my, and Markinnon’s, domain. Bold enough to face me fearlessly while breaking our rules.” “Markinnon asked me to come-” “Yes.” He affirmed. “But a lesser wolf, would’ve shied from crossing that threshold.” “I thought about it.” “But you didn’t.” “She’s scared.” “My mate is never afraid.” “She is right now.” I corrected him. “I knew she needed help.” “You knew how you would feel if it was KJ in this bed.” He corrected. I hesitated before answering almost inaudibly. “Yes.” 69 One Animal Hearing the alpha comparing himself to KJ if he were hurt, made me realize a new fear. I stared at that gashing wound in his leg, marring all that tanned flesh with a sickening darkness. This could be KJ. He could come back from battling the NightHunters with a wound just like this. It sounded like they regularly poison their weapons. My breath caught a little. Could he fight an entire pack without getting nicked at least once? It seemed unlikely. My hand shook as I pressed the outer edges of that wound to test the swelling. When I saw the white dark opening seep a yellowish liquid from that light touch, I realized how bad it was. His whole thigh is inflamed. “We’re back.” Markinnon rushed in. Two she-wolves hurried behind her with steaming buckets and stacks of clean rags. “Good.” I hardly looked at her. “We need to hurry.” “What do you need me to do?” She offered. Setting a bucket down before me and drying her hands on her apron. “Hold his hand.” She glanced at him as if she thought he might object. He only looked back at her. As if he’d be quite happy to hold her hand. There was something a little touching about the fact that he didn’t refuse to appear weak when he wanted the touch of his mate so badly. Maybe it’s the closest he’s been with her since he was hurt. It had sounded as though she had been too afraid of losing him to stay in his presence for long. I saw the vulnerable look in his dark eyes and realized what he was feeling. He needs her. She circled to the opposite side of the bed from me and scooped his tanned hand from the bedding. I saw those long, slim fingers and immediately thought of how much KJ looked like his father. It made that fear in me increase. What would I do if this was my situation? I swallowed a hard lump in my throat, feeling my heart palpitating a bit faster for the thought. I have to make this better. For KJ. And Markinnon. I glanced up at the woman and saw that fluid filled her eyes, threatening to pour down her cheeks. She bravely held it back. Seeing her now, made me imagine that every glimpse of bitterness I’d seen in her was because of what she was suffering behind closed doors as she witnessed her mate fading. I didn’t know how long he’d been like this, but I imagined it was awhile from the look of it. One of the other females brought me a wooden bowl of smashed horse’s mane fern. “There’s a cup there.” Markinnon pointed to a side table. I lifted it, finding it empty. I went to the fireplace and spooned out a ladle from the boiling pail in the fire. I scraped the smashed herb into it and rolled it around in the cup until it spread through the water. I returned to the bed and handed it to him. “It tastes like hell.” I warned him. “I remember.” He nodded as he lifted it and threw it back without objection. I waited a moment for it to settle through him. “Are you ready?” “As I’ll ever be.” He settled his shoulders, preparing for the pain. I lifted one rag of hot water, wringing it out before reaching to put it over the wound. Alpha Kensington hissed through his teeth, his grip tightening on his mate. The bed creaked beneath him as he stiffened. His head dropped back against the wall and rolled until he was staring up at the ceiling, unable to watch as I pushed the cloth to his wound. I shifted it around, trying to push all the infection to the surface. It poured from the wound and slid down his leg. Eventually I heard a panting sound and glanced at him, seeing he was holding back a scream. I felt terribly guilty.   “I need some mage’s fingers.” It was the most painless wound cleaner that I could think of. “I’ll get it.” One of the females rushed off. I worked the wound to get out all of the creeping fluid I could. Eventually there was a slight burst as a pocket ruptured. Dirty blood filled with blotches of white poured from the wound. “Aah!” The alpha roared. He jerked his arm as if he might strike me. “Kensington!” Markinnon leaned over to move into his eyeline. “She has to clean it. The infection will get deeper if she does not.” She’s right. He grunted, breathing heavily. I glanced at him and saw his eyes had turned the glittering yellow of his beast. His wolf wants to come out to attack me. It wanted to protect him, and make the pain stop. “Keep him down.” Markinnon saw it to. “Don’t let him out. We need her to help us.” Her grip tightened on his hand. He growled in frustration, looking at her sideways. “I got you, my alpha.” She spoke directly to his beast. “I won’t let her harm you anymore than absolutely required. Tame yourself.” Though her voice was more coaxing then demanding, it elicited a soft, complying growl which rumbled through the room. It was his wolf assenting to letting Markinnon take care of the human part of him. I believed her too. If she thinks I hurt him too much, she’ll rip my throat wide. I could see it from the hard jerking in her jaw and the wide-eyed way she was glancing at me. She was alarmed, ready to attack if needed. She’s reacting to the pain of her mate. I knew. Surprised by how they seemed to feel each other. Like they’re one animal. “I’m almost done!” I reassured her. Then I felt a sudden, searing pain in my lower back. It made me bow forward and drop to my knees. I cried out from the sudden pain. Though I didn’t know what was happening, my she-wolf must’ve. Because only one heart-wrenching word ruptured from my lips.   “KJ!”

87 Airborne My eyes tried to keep up with Kurik moving through kelminar and the girl ripping apart tolari closer to the mound. Nick yelped and ducked, pulling Darla with him as a cloaked body of a tolari woman was hurled at them. Nick pulled her and Marlay tighter to the sides of him, hoping he could keep them all safe until the chaos stopped. Darla turned and shrieked when she saw the familiar face of the blonde tolari girl rushing toward her. The tolari’s face was written with malicious intent as she charged at their protective circle. “Sarasae!” Nick shouted. I threw out a hand sideways toward the girl and blew her back. Her head crashed into one of the boulders on the mound. She glared at them through black eyes, but her face went pale and eventually all life faded as she went limp. “Finally.” Darla sneered. I was so distracted that I didn’t see a robed man charging from directly in front of me. He rushed toward Darla. They wanted to spill her blood over the shuddering mound next. “Your ours, bird girl!” Tolari had changed direction and were now rampaging toward us. Marlay shrieked behind me. “Nick, take her up.” They had, apparently, decided that their only option was to free their families in the hope of not being massacred in the kelminar war unfolding on the ridge. Darla crouched, crossing her arms over her face in an effort to protect herself. Darla’s ducked her head, finding herself staring at her feet. The ground grew further away. She became weightless. It took her a second to realize she was flailing. Her legs flailed as she panicked. She threw her head up and saw that the attacking tolari were far below. Staring agape as she lifted. She looked up and saw massive blue wings tipped in dark red flowing upward then down. She traced them and found that they were jutting from Nicholas’s back, through the tatters of his shirt. His skin was turning bright blue. Almost glowing as it moved down his arms and rose up to encircle his neck. His legs were twisting, curling disjointedly. He was carrying them both high above, though he stared down worriedly at Marlay. “I’m fine.” She reassured, barely glancing up. Tolari lunged from bordering trees, but Nick and Darla were already too high above them. “Keep going!” Darla shouted at him. They had stopped rising and were hovering within reach of the top branches of one tree. Tolari were scurrying up it in a dark flood.    “Nicholas.” Darla looked up and saw he was shaking his head side to side inhumanely. A beak formed around his face and over his eyes, rising over his head and expanding everything that it reached. His arms receded into his body which made him lose his grip on his sister. Darla felt his hand slipping away and twisted around trying to claw at him. “Nick! No. No!” Darla fell. She screamed as she dropped. She felt Nick’s body sliding out of reach. But just as she drew within reach of outstretched tolari, a scaled yellow foot reached to catch around her stomach. Snatching her out of the air and turning her horizontal in the air. She realized she was clutched in a tight grip. “Nicholas?” She asked under her breath. The bird’s head whipped down to look at her. She looked into eyes she recognized as belonging to her brother but in an entirely different face. A blue head with a yellow beak stared back at her. *** “Their safe.” Marlay murmured to me. “It’s just us now.” My orb protected us against surges of magic but couldn’t defend us from the attacking tolari. As long as they weren’t wielding magic, they could pass through it to attack us. The mob of dark cloaks and painted faces surged around us. Many had weapons drawn as they rushed us. I turned my wrist and let a gleaming red sword form in my hand. I swung it before me, spinning it with expert precision. It was my favorite weapon. As the tolari drew within my reach, I cut through them. My mystical sword working through flesh and bone as if they were made of no more than butter. “What is it?” One man yelled. “Something like a laser.” Another answered. A couple of them had drawn to a stop and were slowly backing up. I heard Marlay utter a wrathful rage and saw the curl of her pink hued whip curl passed my head before flaying someone she was fighting. My body was humming. “Hold on.” I told Marlay. I sent magic out to hook her ankles to mine. Then I released that energy attempting to climb out of me. Calming and opening myself to let it pour out. It sent all the tolari around us flying through the air. Careening several feet back and skidding along the ground. Baron was leading the charge. He was behind them, barking orders. I couldn’t hear him over the screaming, crunching, and thudding. It was all too much to single out one voice. “I have to get to Baron, Marlay.” “Go.” She ordered. Marlay’s whip swung all the way around her head and mine. I ran between the sweeps of it, my legs carrying me through the tolari as I twirled my sword. I kept it in motion before me to keep any tolari from drawing close enough to stop my progress. I managed to catch him across the collar of my blade before he turned and evaded getting his head cut off by mere inches. He caught me with a backhand which threw me to the ground. I leapt back onto my feet and prepared to have another go at him, but I blinked and Kurik was suddenly standing before me. Nearly nose to nose with me. Those startling eyes were still molten gray. Unblinking on me. His face was expressionless. I couldn’t read anything from his features. Reaching up before I could react, he swept his forearm across the tip of my lifted blade. I squawked as I saw it cutting deep into him. “Why would you do that!” Swiping the arm back toward me he dragged his wound over the back of my sword hand. “Kurik!” I watched him spin around and run off. I stared after him with a confused expression. Why did he do that?   My eyes fell dumbly to my sullied hand. Both my sword and the hand gripping it were smeared with Kurik’s blood. My eyes widened. Blood of the Ancient. A soul-eater stepped into my peripheral. A quick swing of my knife and the searing power of its magic made him fall. I thought for sure he would rise, wound caused kelminar very little harm. That’s why I always trapped them! But I watched this one that I’d just cut, seizing on the ground a moment he abruptly grew still. Skin flaked off him in withered black strips. As if I’d just scored him with a flame. He couldn’t come at me again. One strike and he was finished. Just like that. This is what Kurik’s blood can do. I bobbed my head in a nod, my eyes lighting on my dirtied hand again. He’d just coated both me and my sword with the weapon I had craved more than any other. Ancient’s blood. I used every open opportunity to sink the weapon deep. Falling both kelminar and tolari in every direction. I was using strings of my power to slice through anyone that approached me from the sides, ensuring that I could attack those ahead of me without being ambushed. I kept a protection wall at my back that wouldn’t let magic or weapons permeate my back. I fed magic protecting Marlay in my orb as I moved, which meant I was keenly aware when the level of my magic wavered. A glance behind me revealed that Marlay’s wound was taking effect. She had expended the excess power that Kurik had given her. She was depleted. Which meant she was now reduced to fighting with only her whip. All other magic had left her. That whip was something that my magic provided her when we were linked, without the connection it wouldn’t last. “Marlay!” I ran back toward her. Needing to get to her side. I saw Collin approaching her back, he had his little dagger at the ready and planned to jab her in the back. “No.” I shouted. Between Marlay’s magic whip searing above her and the moon glowing from above I glimpsed the evil delight brightening Collin’s chubby face as he drew almost close enough to reach. “Marlay! Marlay! Marlay!” I chanted, hoping to get her attention before he got to her.   Over the din of sound, she couldn’t hear my voice trying to warn her. I’m not going to get to her in time. With the light shining I could tell I had been mistaken. It wasn’t any blade Collin had. It’s a Baudwae blade. It was a tool the tolari used as a funnel to siphon magic from those they killed into the wielder of the knife. He wants the power of a canastra Katul.

37 You're Trembling We stood in the corner by the punch table for a long while. Done muttering under our breaths for the moment. Perhaps we’ve run out of scathing things to say. I mused. Unlikely. I had about a dozen more that I could throw out if a chance that warranted it arose. “Do you intend to remain at war with me?" He asked flatly. Jostling me from my pleased silence. “Or do you think it might behoove you, to try to find some common ground with me." “That would be the wise thing." I acknowledged. “But perhaps I am simply too bull-headed." He snorted as if that was a given. I frowned. “But it seems it would be impossible to have common ground with someone who refuses to be rational." “Ha." He threw his head back to scoff. Before nodding sarcastically. “I'm not rational, aye." “Absolutely not." “As you say, pot." What? That caught me off-guard. “Pot?" I inquired. “Yes." He drawled. “As I recall it was one of those that called the kettle black.” “Meaning?" I asked haughtily, wanting him to have the gal to outright call me a hypocrite. He clucked in his cheek. “Don't play coy with me, you know exactly what I'm saying. You're just trying to talk in circles to distract me from my initial query. I can see that the method has worked for you for a number of years so you must assume it will be effective with me." He paused to take another sip of punch. “It will not.” “Don't try to speak of me as if you know me." I stared at him in astonishment. He emitted a cold laugh before saying dryly. “I’ll try to refrain." I didn’t believe him. “How does anyone tolerate you!" I expostulated. “Now you think insulting me might do the trick,” He drawled. “you're mistaken. He asked again. “Would it behoove you to come to common ground with me?" I eyed him. “I think it’s time I rejoin my family. I'm sure they're missing me by now." I took about two steps before he caught my arm and whirled me back around. I gaped at him in surprise. “What are you doing?” He said nothing as he took one purposeful step toward me. Then another. I retreated, beginning to feel alarmed. What’s he doing? He chased my step, still holding my arm. Someone bumped into me, and I realized that I had inadvertently made my way onto the dance floor. I threw the woman a quick glance, but she was already turning in the next steps to the fleuret. Oblivious to my presence behind her. The music stopped. His abrupt jerk caught me off-guard, sending me careening forward. I slammed clumsily into Byron's hard chest. I gasped in surprise just as a waltz began. I registered that he'd tugged my arm to pull me into him on purpose, when I felt his free arm circle my lower back. He held me close. Already moving in step to the waltz, as he kept me to him. I didn't have time to position my hands when I’d stumbled into him. They were properly positioned for the dance steps. He twirled me. As I swung back into his periphery, I put one hand on his shoulder. It signaled him to hold out his other palm. I curled my fingers over it, following his lead in the motions. He stepped just as smoothly as he had when we danced before. The night of the masquerade. He glided across the floor, perfectly in step with the music. I had to admire that quality. It was much more attractive than the few suitors who regularly stepped all over my feet. His dark eyes were almost hypnotic. Like staring into glistening obsidian. It was hard to look away from that gaze. His dark hair fell like brown satin over his forehead which only added to his roguish appearance. His jaw was a hard blade cutting toward that mobile mouth. His full lips and quick dimples at the corners had been part of what had drawn me so much when he wore that domino mask. He had the sort of straight aristocratic nose that generally symbolized someone born of wealth. Rather than one who’d made it instead. Those eyes created a tangible feeling. Like a familiar caress on my skin. The heat he was exuding drew me in even though I knew how much I should resent him. The beat of the music strummed through my ears. Guiding his and my step. I glanced around him and noticed the countless eyes following us. Everyone in the ballroom was peering at us through curious eyes. Some appeared happy for us, but there were other ones too. Ones that followed him with undisguised hunger. Desire gleaming in their eyes as they watched him and bordered on malicious as they landed on me. He turned me around for a final time, drawing me backward while he was behind me. His arms crossed before me, crossing mine with them. I felt his lips move against my ear, brushing through the strands of my hair. “You can only fight me for so long, Kylie. Are you going to admit that you feel this spark between us, and that's the real reason you came out to that guest house? Or keep hating me?” I swallowed hard. Breathing was suddenly difficult, not because he was holding me tight, but because of what that husky voice was doing to my senses. I felt a pleased little shiver running through me as I considered all the things that might happen tonight. What’s he going to do to me? Where is he going to touch me? I wondered if it always felt the same. Or will this time be different? As much as I hated to admit it, even to myself, there was something just a little exciting about wondering what this man’s next move might be. There was something stimulating about his unpredictably. I was never bored. Not like I was with the other suitors. He dropped his lips to my shoulder, to offer a sensual kiss before he was turning me again. Spinning me to face him before swinging me close again. My lips parted and my lashes fluttered as I peered up at him. “You’re trembling…” He whispered. “Care to divulge why?”

36 Handed Over As my father handed me over to Lord Kye Byron, I could hardly believe I was standing before this altar, Preparing myself to make vows with this horrible, handsome, man. And his ice-cold heart. Lord Byron looked at me as if he were seeing through me. He hardly blinked. The vicar spoke but Byron didn't look any more interested in the proceedings than I was. He threw the man several bored glances as if wishing the whole thing could be expedited. “Kylene Elizabeth Drake do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?" I cleared my throat. Finding words difficult, I settled on nodding. The vicar opened his mouth to repeat the question, clearly unsatisfied with my answer. “Yes." I cut him off. “Yes!” “Kye John Baron do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?" “I do." And with the formal proceedings completed, the vicar pronounced. “You may kiss the bride." I looked at Byron in horror. He had no seeming care for society. What if he fondles me? He flared his brows at me before his head descended to press his lips against mine. But it wasn't a passionate kiss. Just a peck. I had thought he'd leap at the opportunity to embarrass me before all these people by kissing me in a way that implied that I was no longer an innocent. Or soon wouldn’t be. But he didn't. I couldn't read the expression on his face, as he withdrew from me. Even his black hued eyes were blank. No animosity, no disdain, nothing. As usual, there was no hint of the thoughts lurking behind them. There definitely is. He was always thinking something. He took my hand and led me down the center of the aisle. Striding quickly through the redecorated Dining Hall toward the foyer. He wants out of this room and these staring eyes, as much as I do. “Come, my guests!" My father clapped to get everyone’s attention. “Join us in retiring to the ballroom for refreshments and further festivities. And tomorrow we’ll have the formal banquet to celebrate the newly joined couple." There were whoops of excitement in response. Then everyone began milling out of one room to the next. Music and dancing began. Because the banquet was the following day, all the guests would be staying overnight. Which meant that I would have to keep my composure in place, no matter how anxious I found myself. Which made me more nervous. Byron's hand tightened on mine. “We get through tonight, then the banquet tomorrow in the early afternoon, and we'll be on our way to my country home to be shut in for our honeymoon. One foot in front of the other.” “Am I supposed to be overjoyed?" “Not at all. I'm just telling you what your father and I decided so you’re not wondering." “How gracious of you.” “I thought so.” He retorted just as formally. Waving at a man across the room before nodding to another on his left, keeping us moving forward. “Fine. Since we’re not going until then, I guess we'll worry about our wager tomorrow eve." I tore my hand away and blended with the crowd going into the ballroom. But a hard grip ensnaring my arm pulled me back around to face him in the middle of the crowd. “Absolutely not. Tonight is our wedding night. You'll definitely be coming to my bed. And the wager is most certainly on.” I blanched. “There's no escaping it now... Wife." “What's wrong?" He feigned worry. “Do you take issue with hearing that word… wife?" “No. Just with you saying it." “Oh, how sorrowful." He pouted a lip. “Perhaps you'll grow accustomed to it." “Unlikely." I muttered under my breath. “What was that?" I gave him a hard look to tell him that I knew he was goading me on purpose. He heard me. “Are we rejoining our wedding party, or are you going to insist on standing out here chatting while they await us?" He glanced around as if just now noticing that we were standing alone in the foyer. His hand fell away, and he gestured to the ballroom. I turned around and went into the room. He was on my heels. His hand on my lower back may've looked sweet but I knew that it was only there to keep track of me. So I can’t run off. We dutifully said our thanks and accepted congratulations from those in attendance. Once that was finished, I wanted to test the boundaries of his monitoring. “I am feeling a bit parched." I touched my throat. “I'm going to go get a drink." “Oh, no." He shook his head. Using an overly kind voice to say. “No need for you to do it yourself. I'll serve you, sweetheart." It disturbed me how everyone ate it up. Women appeared to melt before his chivalry. Whereas I knew precisely what it was about. Keeping me in sight. He led me toward the refreshments table. Serving us both glasses of punch before handing me one. “Shouldn't you be drinking wine?" I said disdainfully. I couldn’t recall a time when I’d seen a man partaking of the punch. “That may be what convention would say, but I don't care. I have no intention of growing inebriated so you can plot some wild escape. Like diving out a window or some nonsense." He hardly glanced at me but still seemed to note my pained blanch. “I..." “Don't bother denying it, if that's what you were going to do." He sipped his drink, eyeing everyone beginning to dance to the strumming music. “Why would you I? I haven't lied to you. I haven't made any bones about the fact that I have no intention of participating in this marriage." He flashed me a glance that could’ve melted stone. I met his glance, refusing to retreat. He grunted in a way that implied he didn't think that was going to happen. He took another drink. As if he’s not going to let it. I thought bitterly. We'll see whose right...

Chapter Twelve Nicest Greeting   “I only want you to be happy, Els.” He reiterated quietly, giving her a sideways look.   “Who do you get the nuts and sherry from?” She traced a knothole on the table but Sebastian felt something akin to fear generating from her.   “Please Elsabet, do not. You need not be jealous. It is merely a beggar man in Lucien’s country. I assure you the only women I spent more than a moment conversing with are the mates of my brethren.”  “And what of when you matchmake?” Her skepticism was obvious.  His brow furrowed. “How do you know of that?”  “Do you think the other knights don’t speak with me when they’re here? And do you not think they enjoy telling me stories of what you do?”   “There are those.” He admitted. “But I only speak with them because I know they’re intended for one of the knights.”  She narrowed her eyes disapprovingly.  “Might we discuss this another time?” He gestured to the toddler on her knee. “Rather than in-front of her?”   Elsabet looked duly chastised. Her gaze returned to the little one as though she’d forgotten Sebet was on her lap.  “Elsabet?”   “Yes?”   “About our discussion last night.”  “Yes?” She looked back at him.   “Would you ever take her from me?” He asked brokenly. Feeling very small as he nodded toward Sebet.   Elsabet looked back at their daughter but didn’t answer him.  It was crushing.  “Please don’t make me fear being close with the only child I may ever have.” He implored. “If I think you may one day take her and go, I’ll fear loving her.”  “You didn’t fear loving me.”   “No…I didn’t.”   “Then why should you ever fear it with her?”   Seeing she’d give no more answer than that he turned from the room and crossed the foyer to the door.   As he opened it, he heard her say faintly. “No Sebastian, I would not.”   He froze there, wondering if he’d really heard it or just yearned too that badly.   At length he opened the door. “I will come back.”  “You always say that.” She called from the Dining Hall.  “And I always return to you!” He closed the door behind him.   He looked up the walls, inspecting them as he always did before leaving. He ensured his magic was carefully in place, before leaving the bailey.   He’d barely crossed the bridge when he heard it.  Sebastian…   Sebastian recognized Tev’s call.   He sighed and veered toward the Paladines. I suppose I will not be voyaging out as soon as I thought.    ***   Harridan Hamlet, Paladines   Teverius showed Sebastian the large track he’d found.   “Definitely wakkon.” Bast concluded. “I think you’ve found Snowman’s routes.”   Bast stood, staring in disbelief. “You’re close Tev. Real close.”   Bast looked at the long line of manicured houses with their expansive lines stringing across the meadow. “He’s here. In one of these.”   “Don’t even think about it.” Tev said sullenly.   “What?” Bast blinked at him.   “You’re wanting to stay and help look.”   “Why not?”   “This is my redemption, Bast. Leave it to me.”   Bast gave him a long look. But I miss Raese too.    “No.” Tev said unrelentingly. Unwilling to give any ground. “Go.”   “Fine.” Bast turned toward the direction of WaterRose. “I’ll go back to my sweet girls.”   “I can’t wait to come see that baby soon.” Tev’s whole face changed. Going from severe to bright. A huge grin split his pale features. Making him seem like an altogether different person.   “Anytime.” Bast threw his arms wide in invitation.   Tev sobered. “When I’m done with this mission.”   “When you think you deserve to come home.” Bast clarified, giving Tev the usual chiding look that said he thought that the idea that Tev should exclude himself from the brethren was nonsense.   “Did you call both of them ‘sweet girls’?” Tev’s head suddenly popped up, as if he’d just realized what he’d heard.   “I did.” Bast said unabashedly. “Els is sweet too, whether she knows it or not.”   “You think so?” Tev looked a little incredulous. “Wouldn’t she be outraged if she knew you described her thus.”   “She might behave so, but she would like it.”   “Are you certain?” Tev looked skeptical.   “She is sweet, Little Brother. She is a humble sort of kind. The type that needs no applause, no praise, and flourishes best behind closed doors. She is gentle when no one is looking and hides her little smiles. She’s truly beautiful, truly sweet, at heart.”   “I suppose it could be more sacred, because it is so hidden.” Tev acknowledged.   “It is.” Bast said proudly.   “I’m happy for you.” Teverius turned away. “It is a joyous thing to find one’s mate.”   Bast watched him walk away thoughtfully, noting. He’s yearning for a mate of his own.    ***   WaterRose, Meadow Mountain   Sebastian’s step slowed as he came into view of WaterRose. He studied how it crowned Meadow Mountain’s Peak. A glittering jewel topping all of Ardae.  His last conversation with Elsabet still lingered in his mind. As did his fear that if she were ever to leave him, she’d take Sebet with her.  That baby girl has my heart all wrapped about her tiny fingers.    If I ever lost them, I’d be shattered. He shook his head at the mere thought of such pain. It’s inconceivable.    As he stepped from the trees into the valley, he turned from panther to man in a single step. Boots emerging from the shrubbery as pants and a shirt formed.   He approached his home on hesitant feet. His gaze was on the ground, lost in thought. But a sudden squeal high above him, drew his attention.  He spotted Elsabet sitting in the window slit of her chamber. Holding an excitedly screeching little girl.   Sebet’s joy at the sight of him made his heart jump in his chest and his feet carry him faster. He jogged the meadow and across the gate. Surprised that his daughter could spot him from so far away.   She knows it’s me. There was no doubt about that. Not from the way her youthful eyes had rounded.   Sebastian took the stairs to the dais and then veered along the right branch of them. He skipped up them two at a time until reaching the second level.  Elsabet met him in the doorway of her chamber with the little girl squawking.   “Daddy! Daddy!” Her chubby little arms flailed excitedly.   Bast had never been called that before. He was momentarily speechless as he reached for her. Scooping her into his arms to prop her on his hip as he eyed her in surprise.  She’s grown a foot in my absence!   And mere days ago she’d been chirping little half-words. Now she can say that?   “Where’d she learn that?” His eyes, awash with unshed tears lifted to Elsabet.  Elsabet’s mouth opened but before she could speak his daughter did.  “Mommy said.” Sebet answered.  “You taught her?” He was unspeakably touched.  Elsabet’s gaze fell.  “No, no, no.” Bast hooked the bottom of her chin with a crooked finger. “Never be ashamed.”  Elsabet watched him in her quiet, burning way.   Seeing more than she should. He looked at her with renewed wonder.   She knew how much hearing that would mean to me.    “What a beautiful thing to teach her, Els.” He remarked in a choked voice. Because it was all he could say.   “I only gave her a voice for what she was feeling.” Elsabet said, smiling softly as she looked at their little blonde bit of joy. “She is always so happy to see you, she just didn’t have a word to express it.”   “That’s wonderful.” He beamed at both of them before reaching for Elsabet.   She didn’t spurn his reach, so he rolled his arm around her shoulders to pull her into a hug.  He held them for a long moment, never happier to have them both in his arms than he was then.   “I can’t breathe.” Elsabet murmured against his shirt, her voice muffled.  “What was that?” He didn’t let go.  “Can’t breathe.” She pushed him slightly.   He held on.   “Sebastian!” She laughed, pushing him harder.   He let her go, chuckling.   She pursed her lips and shook her head as if she were annoyed. But he caught the slight crinkling of her eyes and the twitching of her lips.   “I missed you girls.”   “Miss daddy!” Sebet squawked, looking just as pleased as Sebastian was to hear the words coming out of her mouth.   “She’s growing so fast.” Bast said in wonder.   “Far faster, I think, than a usual child.”   “That’s no shock.” He said dryly. “She’s born of a unique union.”   “Union, huh?”   He smiled, hooking her neck again to draw her close enough to kiss her forehead.   He teetered side to side, rocking the baby girl. His lips dropping to the top of her head, reminding him so much of Elsabet’s scent.   “Missed you too, Little One.” He murmured to her.  Sebet’s whole face scrunched as it often did when she was pleased.   “Thank you, Els. By far the nicest greeting I’ve ever come home to.”  The nicest greeting I can ever recall coming home to.