The Taming

Elsabet & the Alpha

DERAGAN

Everything quieted when Deragan entered WaterRose.

Even the elves that worked there silenced.

Elengard came from the kitchens, sensing the Alpha's presence. "Hello, Captain."

"Hello, Elengard." He said a bit softly.

"Do you need anything, Sir before I ready your chamber?"

"No, Elengard. I just need to know where the valkyrie is."

"Elsabet? I believe she was in Sebastian's chamber last I saw."

"Truly?" Deragan lifted a raven black brow.

"She stays there when he's sick. I don't think she's slept since he was injured."

"Does he know that?"

Elengard shook her head. "I don't think so. She'd never tell him."

Elengard hesitated than looked away.

"What is it?" He prompted.

"I wanted to ask..."

"Ask."

"Did he call you here?"

"Of course, he did."

Elengard gave a long-suffering sigh. Knowing that he'd only have summoned the Alpha to keep Elsabet in WaterRose.

"I'd agree." Deragan said. The hint of humor brightening his eyes.

"I feel like a disapproving mother." She confided.

Deragan was the only one that Elengard would ever confess such to.

"You should. It's essentially what you are."

"I look after him because I choose."

"Because you think you owe him a debt."

"I do."

"He doesn't see it that way."

"He wouldn't." Elengard agreed.

"Hmm." Deragan aimed for the stairs.

***

Deragan reached the upper level and was astonished by what he saw. Coming from Sebastian's chambers was brilliant light. Deragan's step slowed as he approached. Walking more quietly. He rounded the doorway and at the same moment, the valkyrie's head snapped to look at him.

She'd been huddled over Sebastian. White light coming from the arch of splayed wings to bathe him in a warm light. Showering gold iridescence over him. But as her attention went to Deragan the light squelched immediately in a flash of darkness. Her shimmering white hair spun over her shoulder as her head turned. Straightening and lying flat, as though it had been floating. And her dark wings lifted off the bed to drape down her back and over the chair she sat on the edge of.

But for a moment, only one, those wings had been white.

Deragan was sure.

"What were you doing?"

Elsabet stood. Turning her head slowly to look at him. "Nothing of any concern."

She reached the doorway before his hand snatched out to grip her arm. She jumped but didn't retreat. Meeting his blue eyes levelly.

"If you harmed him..."

"I didn't."

"Why do you hide so carefully what you feel for him?" Deragan asked flatly.