Her eyes narrowed. And her lips whitened. “Yes, you would try.” He set the chalice back to the table. “I thought as much.” Thus, why I can never take you out of these walls. “What would happen if I…tried?” She choked on the word that implied she’d not succeed. “I’d never take you out with me again.” His voice cracked through the empty room like a whip. “And if I did not?” You wouldn’t be able to resist. Still he responded. “Perhaps I’d let you out of WaterRose more often. Extend your freedom?” He suggested temptingly. “One day maybe we could reach the point where I’d let you go wherever you wished,” His voice lowered. “As long as you returned to me.” Those words landed in the room stones in a pond. Sending out ripples of endless promise. The enticing proposal to hunt with Sebastian still hovered in the air between them as he waited with breath baited, for her answer. El

Inside WaterRose, there was a rumble like thunder. The whole castle rippled. Every candle in the stronghold gusted and went out. Halls went silent and life seemed to die from every corridor of the structure. Sebastian’s presence withdrew from every cranny. Like the very breaths of magic he’d once given it, were dissipating. Water stopped rushing over the walls. Towers faded and began to crumble. Entire staircases, doorways and walls began to disappear. Vanishing as if they’d never existed. There was a grave silence settling over WaterRose which could mean only one thing. The magic keeping WaterRose alive was suddenly absent. The stronghold seemed abandoned now, no longer filled with life. There were no Forever Knights in residence tonight, that could notice the change. No one that Radix would sense, that could draw him to stronghold while it was exposed. But it didn’t change the deep impact of the desiccating stronghold. Everyt

I have to get away from her before my need draws my beast out to play. Sebastian thought. Having a moment where he warred with the predatory beast in him. Wanting to use what she’d aroused, to bring her to the heights of pleasure. To hear her moan. It was a bit surprising he’d risen so easily at the mere brush of her finger. It wasn’t like him to act like a boy of his first blush. Yet around her, I always do. All the former sexual prowess in the world could not have prepared him for the magnetic draw this woman had over him. I can think about little else. “What are you trying to hide from me?” She leaned over his shoulder trying to see if he’d something in his hand. Shifting further from her, initiated a tugging war where she pulled at his shoulder trying to pull him back onto the bed so she could see. He blanched. Trying to maintain his distance. “What are you hiding?” She fo

WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier CountrySEBASTIANIt’d been days since the last time Elsabet and Sebastian spoke. Even after he’d returned from finding Rhyers to relieve Acharius. He’d come back only to find she had no interest in being in his company.It’s been days since we conversed.Truth was, he dearly missed it. With his brothers, it was always updates on important matters.Talking with her was different. It was a bit of brightness to his day. A touch of mental sparring and goading to bring him a touch of joy.She was always lively, there was no boring day with her.Elsabet had chastised him much that he’d risen and commenced his journeys too soon after his brush with death. But he hadn’t heeded her until he’d been in the dining hall. Trying to will himself to eat some of Elengard’s fine meat pie, when he’d felt the peripheral of his vision cinching in. Like someone was d

Sebastian tasted the ripe flavor of fresh rabbit and forest cabbage in the broth. Combined with some unknown weeds and spices. “This is actually quite good.” Sebastian confided. Swallowing greedily. Elsabet nodded. Something adds a wild flavor. “Is that rabbit?” “No. It’s venom.” She nodded so sagely that he gave her a wary look. After an impossibly long moment, one corner of her mouth crooked. His body relaxed with relief. “It’s rabbit.” She said. Lifting a spoon and making a concentrated effort to not meet his assessing study. “The one I brought you?” He choked a little. She slumped, giving him a dark look. “Does it taste that old?” “No.” It’s not it. Reassured, he opened his mouth for another spoonful. Definitely not old. “You hunted?” He queried. “You’re magic faded when you passed out.” “No.” Her head shot up. “What do you