It was a fine art, drawing with a quill. But after so many centuries, Sebastian had mastered it.
Eventually, he tilted his head to inspect his finished work. Only when he was satisfied that it was a true depiction, did he turn to the next page. And then the words flowed.
Dipping the quill over and over. He scribbled tormented thoughts in the light of a tiny candle. Though he didn’t truly need it, it offered some comfort in the darkness.
His guilt eased in increments with each confessing page. He purged pain and longing, as best as he could. Filling the pages with his need for closeness with Elsabet. And his desire to hold her.
He articulated his dream of a day when he could reach for her and know she’d turn into his touch, rather than him risking the likelihood of rejection if he reached for her. All the complexities of this life with her was, ironically, wearing him down. Whereas she still stood fast.
Like a boulder in the tides
Calisto sat with Elsabet on the edge of that bed, feeling the moment fading away. She knew she wouldn’t have much time with Elsabet. That brief surge of energy that the valkyrie had given her was going to abate until she wouldn’t be able to appear at all. “Why are you so angry with him?” Calisto asked sorrowfully. Thinking of the words. Bast had written earlier. “I hate him.” Elsabet corrected tonelessly. But Calisto knew better. “Do you really think he’s so bad?” “I hate that I can’t stop thinking about him.” She choked on a sob. “He makes me feel things I worked hard to kill long ago.” “You feel for him, when you don’t want to feel anything.” Calisto said sympathetically. Recalling a time when a man had made her feel that way. “Yes…” Elsabet admitted. “He makes me…crazy.” “Crazy.” Calisto laughed. “That’s certainly one description for it, isn’t it?” “Mmm.” Elsabet agreed sadly. “That’s what love does to us.” C
Calisto offered a fond smile and tilted her head. “And then you fell in love.” Calisto shrugged playfully as she gazed at Elsabet. “You couldn’t have helped it. And why not, for that matter?” “But it’s with the most impossible man!” She slammed her fist to her thigh in frustration. “I know.” Calisto said, softening her voice. She was faintly surprised that Elsabet didn’t bother arguing the point. Sensing that saying anything further would just fuel the aggravation Elsabet tried to assimilate against Bast. Calisto would be no part of that. After a long silence Elsabet asked the oddest question. “Did he win?” “Win?” “Bast. The swim races?” “He sometimes won.” Calisto frowned. She remembered propelling herself through the water like an engine. Often cheating and using her magic to make the water carry her along. Still Bast, ever a strong swimmer, often reached the island first. “I don’t know how…” She confided. “He
Sebastian stepped lithely from the dark. Wearing a dark shirt, frilled at the cuffs. Long blonde hair waving in a cloud down to his shoulders. Making him luminesce in the blackness, as vivid gold as the moonlight was silver. Chastain immediately reached longingly to touch him. His face and hair. She leaned up on her toes. A slender wraith in the dark. Wearing her white muslin nightdress. She stretched to reach for him. Her fingertips itching to feel his skin. To touch that hair. She ached to be closer to him. When she could just touch his cheek, her expression changed. Realization dawned. He tilted backward, evading her touch. Eventually, he was forced to catch her wrist to stay her. That moment gave her the chance to think. To see beyond her primal desire. Her hand fell and recognition brightened her face. Thank heaven He thought. Realizing that she’d recognized him. And somehow, she’d managed to resist the urge to touch him,
Chastain reared back, astonished by Sebastian’s vehemence in his cryptic statement. He realized how angry he likely sounded. “I apologize for my harsh words. You are not the source of my ire. That lies in my home.” “I understand.” She nodded. “I only need know where Acharius is, to discuss this with him?” “Oh, no, Miss. I need be well from here before you find him. For he’ll want to wring my stringy neck.” She looked at him in horror. “You have to tell me!” “No.” He said firmly. “I don’t.” Before she could stop him, he launched through the window. She ran to it behind him. Catching sight of him below. He lunged through the garden, his clothes shredding to pieces as he moved. Bits which dissolved before hitting the ground. His body erupted from itself like an overflowing pond. He jerked and twisted. Finally tipping forward onto his hands as his back flattened. Glistening black fur peeled through the skin of his
Netherlands Tavern SEBASTIAN Serdephe seemed quite happy to explain to Teverius why she perceived him as a villain, oblivious to his affront. “You only arrive at night. You’ve gazed on me unclothed while lying with my wolves. You’ve put your hands on my undergarments. You’ve crept around following me.” She said matter-of-factly. “You’re far closer to a villain.” He blanched. “It does sound rather awful when you word it such.” “I don’t mind.” She went back to eating her meat. And Teverius immediately missed her greasy little hands on his. Sebastian sat in the corner blissfully intrigued by all he’d witnessed. When he could contain his curiosity no longer, he strolled over to their table. “You called for me?” Teverius jerked, staring at his food as if afraid to look up. Which only brought Sebastian more joy. Recognizing his voice, Teverius looked u
“I don’t want revelry.” Teverius’s eyes narrowed. He glared up at Bast. “Mardichi!” Bast called again. “Come join your Little Brother!” Teverius groaned. Robust laughter bellowed from the other end of the room. The giant redhead stood and tossed off his cloak. Making several men object at the massive size of him. One man muttered, “It’s RedBayne. The Assassin.” “I shall be back Norris. I have duties now.” Mardichi announced. Tossing the garment down on the bench. “Tonight, we injure Little Brother with large quantities of me favorite sustenance.” “Of course, you do.” Norris grumbled off-handedly. Tev groaned. Teverius willed himself. Praying the night would end with him retaining some glimmer of dignity. Sebastian set about drowning all thoughts of Elsabet, while tormenting the youngest of his brethren. A fine night. A fine night, indeed. The Driter’s Den was a rowdy place tonight. Having three
Mardichi keenly watched Bast probing Teverius for the intimate details of trouble between Teverius and his pretty purple-haired mate. He watched Bast for so long that he could no longer take it. “What? Why are you staring?” “Ye’re avoiding returning ta see if yer valkyrie is enraged at ye.” Mardichi said perceptively. Bast shot him a black look. Knowing full well that the barbarian was right. I hate when he’s smarter than he looks. Bast groaned inwardly. However, he received a momentary reprieve when the innkeeper rushed to the table with a missive in hand. Bast grunted and lifted a staying palm. “I don’t want it.” “He insists me give it ta ye, me lord. I’ve told ’im yer answer willna change.” The innkeeper looked a little desperate. “Please take it or he migh’ kill me.” “He won’t kill you for me refusing to look at his latest offer.” “You dunnot know this man, me lord. He migh’.” Bast groaned. “Set it
Reaching down, Elsabet yanked the pendant loose from his hands.Sebastian's torn shoulders and arms offered little resistance.It was as the sun was cresting the ridge that she released her grip on him. Watching him fall.For just a moment, she wished she could take it back. He was courageous. Admirable in his fearlessness.A shame.Even in his shredded shirt with gold hair tousled, he'd been wildly handsome.She watched his strange expression as he looked up at her, dropping limply in a deadfall toward the trees far below.Totally calm...He was...peaceful.Bafflement marked her face. Making him fight the smile pulling at his lips.He gave her a chiding look. Angry at her choice.Or perhaps disappointed. Elsabet started to turn in flight, reluctant to see his human body crushed in the trees.Turning back from the body of water, she headed back toward LandingTown.As she turned something scintillating caught her eye. She glanced down and watched flashes of vibrant gold erupting from whe