Sebastian returned to his library but found Rhyers absent.
Likely in his room. Each knight had their own chamber upstairs for their constant visits.
The castle helps us heal. Bast was thankful for that. He ran a palm over his shoulder and chest, feeling the swell of the scars she’d left.
She nearly gutted me. And it was the first time he consciously appreciated his ability to heal nearly as fast as he was injured.
He wondered at her strange defensive reaction.
There’s something about her. Something happened to her…
Someone hurt her.
He flopped backward in his red and gold chair. Watching the dancing of the fire. His book limp in his hand resting on the table.
What to do with her?
He relaxed as much as he was able. Closing his eyes, he felt the tether he had lashed her with. She was pacing her chamber. Still enraged at her foiled attempt at escape. And confuse
SEBASTIAN “Could you do it?” Lucien Sabias asked Sebastian out of Deragan’s hearing range. Absolutely not. It’d be too painful. “If I found a mate. I’d never let her go.” Bast shook his head. “It’s a fact that he spends more time without her then he gets with her.” “By the time he finds her again, charms her, and weds her, Radix is already on his heels.” Lucien concurred. They shared a solemn silence. “But on their wedding night?” Lucien said bitterly. “That’s callous even for Radix Malorum.” Nothing is beyond his evil. That much Sebastian had learned over the years. “Not even one night together.” Bast shook his head sadly. Feeling the pain of the night seeping in like bitter sap. “His Honeymoon and he’s burying his wife.” Chavias Derenoe joined the conversation. “It’s no wonder we go to battle.” “It’s a wonder he hasn’t lost his mind...” Mardichi’s dry
I’ll rip out the demon’s throat. That fantasy calmed him. He needs to know agony. As he’s shown me time and again. He felt the echo of hunger for violence in his warriors as their eyes flashed through fog. Next to Deragan, Bast’s gaze was fixed on the Cimmerii demon. Radix’s lip curled above his gray beard at the knights’ refusal to show fear as they all stared him down. He was surrounded by Cimmerii rodents, toad like things haunting his steps. Making it look like he crossed a shimmering black pool. There are more concealed in the trees. Deragan knew. Radix would never so readily bait himself without being certain he could survive it. Coasting overhead Deragan scanned the dense coverage of trees. But saw nothing beyond the green canopy. He’s far underestimated us. His dragons began raining from the sky. *** Branches shattered behind Deragan and saw a battali
Radix laughed coldly. “Is this what you wanted Alpha? Oh, how I am terrified. You’ve certainly taught me a lesson I won’t soon forget.” He mocked. “The choice is yours though.” Laughing again he sobered abruptly. “I’d make you a trade. This Forever Knight for you.” Deragan ceased breathing. I will do it. There’s no choice. I’ve trained Lucien to lead them. Chavias morphed into a man. Small under the crushing weight of the Cimmerii tidal wave. Sarabi, Targue and Nonis. Despite his vulnerability, he reached up to tear the pendant from his neck. Twisting the chain in his hand. His pendant. For summoning us. Chavias launched to his feet, using surprising strength to throw many of the creatures off. Nonis still pulled at his arms and legs, shredding his skin to the bone as he moved. “No!” He roared. “Not for me, Alpha! Let me go.” Chavias’ roar as he threw the pendant high. His cry echoing
Hands falling, Bast gave his Alpha a torn look. “You wanted something, someone to protect them. To keep them from bloody death. You made your vow and you’ve fought like a lion. How many knights have we lost since you took it upon yourself?” “I don’t know.” Bast said brokenly. Trying to listen. But in so much pain the words make little sense right now. “Far less.” Deragan supplied. “You’re the Protector. The warrior that defends the warriors. Chavias gave his life for yours. For that. Don’t deny him the one thing he could offer us.” Deragan tossed a piece of glinting metal at Bast who reflexively caught it in an open fist. Knowing instantly it was Chavias’ pendant. “Why for me?” Bast cried. “For anyone else. He should’ve done it for anyone else!” “But he did it for you and I.” Deragan said firmly. “He saw things you can never hope to, Brother. Chavias was always wise. And he made a choice that was his
Pain flashed over her face and for a moment he regretted the question. Obviously, you have. Who? It made something tighten in his gut. Who had you missed so much your great pride had allowed you to dare speak the words? He couldn't even imagine a man. “Where did you go so long?” She asked in a weak voice. As if you cared. Don't feign now. “To help my brethren.” He said dully. “Is that always where you go?” “Yes.” He said simply. “There are more like you?” “Yes.” “You’re not giving much in way of answer.” She glared at him. “Perhaps not, but at least I answer.” He eyed her meaningfully. “And I’m honest.” More than I can say for you. She tugged her arm lightly and he released. “Go ahead and flee, Little Valkyrie.” “I don’t flee you, Lord Bodane.” She tossed over her shoulder acidly, as she walked away. Walking or running. Eithe
Peak Mountain, Black Mountains, Battling Border RADIX MALORUM “Go out, you have a mission." Radix told his fiercest Commander. "You will find where those, from the sky,” He added in a mocking tone. Disdain obvious. “Come through. Where they land. Follow the Knights. They’ll be drawn to the new souls, to protect them. If you wait, if you are patient…And if you trail them. One of them will lead you to the new generation.” Of Watchers. “What then?” “Then we will see if you and your kind can convert them for me. I will need their help in the battle to come.” Watchers become some of the most powerful of my Cimmerii. “And if cannot?” “Then, like the Fallen, they will die.” Radix looked a little worried at this. A horrible waste. But better than them landing in the hands of the Forever Knights. Though Radix's enemy was only
WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier Country Elsabet wandered to the stairs as Sebastian dragged in a wiltry tree from Warlock Grove across the moor. She stepped near the banister and frowned down at him. Watching his progress. They’d spoke minimally since he’d returned from the battle and Rhyers had reprimanded her for not offering him comfort. They’d both been avoiding the other. I don’t know what to say to her. “What are you doing?” Her voice cut into his thoughts. “It’s nearly Christmas.” He straightened to remark. Her long look told him she’d no idea what this meant. Truly? “Are you being sincere, Little Harpie?” You don’t know? She blinked at him, passionlessly. “Come down here.” He invited. Perhaps get a little closer… Her lips tightened and she shook her head adamantly. Backing from the stairs to return to her chamber. He heard the door click.
She’s been my captive five years now. Sebastian mused as he heard Elsabet’s light step roaming the corridors. She’d discovered the many floors of WaterRose, the Flood Room below and the endless solars, parlors and decorated chambers above. She came to an abrupt halt. She senses me. He realized. When she spun about, he moved into the shadows to avoid her gaze. She glimpsed the silken black creature with yellow eyes moving along the dark side of the hall on silent paws. A far cry different than the tiny slithering thing she’d seen with him years ago. “What are you?” She squinted to see him creeping in the cracked door of Bast’s chamber on the second level. The torchlight seemed too bright to keep the creature in such dark shadows. Squinting hard, she saw the faintest outline of what looked to be feline vanishing past the door. Long tail disappearing inside. She shook her head. Stepping quietly to peer into the c