“Harpie.” Bast coaxed from the other side of her door. “Come see the fresh fall of snow on the mountain.” It was probably Bast’s fourth attempt to lure her out for the season. She’s quite reluctant. Likely because of all the crowds in and out of the Castle. She tended to be more scarce as they came and went. Avoiding the clusters of knights that could sometimes gather. “I can see it from here.” She argued through the door. The locked door. As if that’d keep me out, if I really wanted in. “Come join me for chocolate and some sweets to celebrate the holiday.” “I don’t want to.” “Why?” He slid his hand down the panel of the door next to his face as he considered why she was always so difficult. The door ripped open so abruptly he fell a step forward and toppled onto her. She yelped and he chuckled as he landed over her in a push up. “If yo

In the early hours of the following morning. Sebastian had gone to the chamber on the floor level to evade the company of the other knights in an effort to ease enough he might take his Knight Sleep. He blew out a long breath and was quiet for a couple hours in an effort to sleep. But he heard a whispering step outside his door. Too soft for any knight in this castle. The door groaned slightly as it eased open. There was little hesitation as the step approached. He felt slight weight on the bed near him where someone put a hand down. He sensed someone leaning over him. Felt the barest hint of strands of hair brushing his cheek. He was overcome with the scent of wildflowers. What’s she doing? Or even more interestingly. How many times has she done this? What if she intends to kill me? Instead, he felt the barest touch of fingertips over his bare chest. Grazing over his skin tentatively. As

The sudden rush of water outside drew her attention. The river walls of WaterRose flooded into motion again. “Did you stop the water?” She questioned nervously. His gaze didn’t flicker from her. Not advertently. In his fury his power had surged out in a way that interfered with the balance of magic binding WaterRose together. As he registered it, he forced his heartbeat to slow. Breathing through his nose until he felt his body easing. The tension making his hands fist, releasing. The room brightened, and the warm glow of the fire returned. She eyed those flames. Blowing a heavy breath. “You’re calm now?” She edged away warily. Calm is a bit strong for it. *** His face no longer showed the shadows of his skull. But his eyes remained on her, still watching her every movement like a wild cat ready to pounce. She chewed her cheek. Her eyes skittering as her feet sl

WaterRose, Mane Country “Elsabet.” Sebastian called. “No.” She shouted back from upstairs. “Come down here.” “No!” Damn her. She’d been dodging him ever since that confrontation in the hall. In which he’d refused to let her prod him into forcing her. There’s no telling me no, when I really want something. You’ll learn. “Little Harpie.” He turned his voice coaxing. Echoing through the corridors with a husky lilt. Mardichi called it the Voice of Persuasion. Bast turned it up. “Come to me…” He heard vases hitting the wall and a stomping footstep above him as he waited in the foyer. She materialized atop the stairs. The firelight from the torches catching her hair in a halo of orange. Her red dress was sleeveless, trimmed in long wisping red feathers which clung to her pale skin. Revealing a tasteful expanse. Her eyes were vivid blue in her rage. C

“H-how did you make that appear in your hand?” She blinked at the cup he held near his shoulder in horror. His other hand was sweeping her lower back to keep her pulled tight against him. “Magic.” She was staring at him. Looking more terrified than any prey he’d ever hunted. “Care for another sip?” Her lips parted and her chest heaved. “Take it.” He urged. “It’s yours.” Like a hopeless addict after opiates she stole the glass and drank what was left. Her throat working as she swallowed and a single purplish wine drop slipping from the corner of her mouth to trail down her neck and over her collar into the hollow between her breasts. Unable to resist, he lowered himself enough to stop its progress with the tip of his tongue. Deliberately dragging his tongue over the trail it’d left. Up over her torso, along the side of her neck, her jaw and to that pretty mouth as she removed the cup. Humming in her throat in a long purr