The Taming

The Healing

By the afternoon of the second day, Sebastian was feeling much improved. He awoke. Rolling his shoulder with a hand atop to keep it steady. He could still feel the indents where teeth had sunk in and nearly tore him in half.

But he was healed.

And the venom he'd expected would have him in a shroud of pain for a fortnight, seemed absent.

But his magic was weak. And already he could feel that his tether on Elsabet had broken. He moved his hand around his wrist and felt nothing.

It's gone.

How long has it been gone?

His first thought was climbing to his feet to find her.

Is she still here?

He sent energy surging through the halls like fingers looking to touch her energy. He fumbled from his bed and out into the hall. Leaning heavily against the wall as he made his way to the top of the stairs. Calling over the railing.

"Elsabet?"

"What?" She emerged from the Library to peer up at him.

Breathing agonizingly, he slumped over the rail in relief. "You're still here."

"I was talking with the Alpha." She said.

"Oh, no." He grimaced.

She was giving him an unreadable look that indicated they'd been talking awhile.

Not good.

But he didn't let her go.

Sebastian was vastly relieved. He'd not actually believed the Alpha would keep her prisoner when he was weak.

It's not in his character.

Deragan was certainly not one to keep a woman captive.

But he's never been in my position... Sebastian mentally defended.

***

Sebastian still didn't know what the valkyrie and his Alpha had discussed the many days he was ill.

And part of me is afraid to know.

But he was quickly back to optimum health.

Faster than usual. He noted. For the last decade he'd found that he was healing faster than usual. Prior to that, he'd been noticing that it took him longer and longer as time passed.

I was weakening.

Perhaps her presence here has rejuvenated me.

It was possible that her mere presence was enhancing the magic of WaterRose.

She is very powerful.

Several days had gone by since Sebastian had woken. He wasn't sure if it were he avoiding Elsabet, or she that was avoiding him. But either way, they didn't cross paths for several days.

What did the Alpha say to her? He worried about that often. He had been reluctant to divulge very much information to her as far as what they were, for fear that she'd seek to destroy them once she knew.

When she doesn't know what we are, she doesn't know what we can do, then she doesn't know how to kill me.

Or escape me.

Though Sebastian put Elsabet back on a tether, he'd expanded it enough she could wander to the stables and inner bailey.

I'd hoped she'd be grateful for some freedom. Instead, he found her constantly tugging at the end. Trying to figure out how to pry at it, attempting to weave it around a post as an anchor. Straining against it to reach the drawbridge. Huffing in frustration.

While reading in the library, he felt the constant tugging, startling him enough he nearly dropped his book. Repeatedly. Before growing frustrated and rolling his eyes Heavenward as he willed himself some patience.

Settle down, Woman. Let me relax awhile. He rubbed his sore shoulder. Still healing from the Sarabi bite.

Wandering to a window slit to watch her, he saw her frustration and relented. Giving her a little more line.

Let's see what she does with it. He climbed to sit cross-ankled in the window slit. Careful of his hurt arm. His back to the stone wall so he had a better view.

She headed immediately for the drawbridge, surprisedly glancing at her wrist as she passed the post, the usual stopping point. Gaining speed, she began to jog but just as he reached out to touch the bridge tower, she unceremoniously hit the end of her lead.

Not a chance.

"No drawbridge." He called from the window slit above her.

***

Small hands working into fists, Elsabet stomped both feet and tilted her head in rage, spinning to glare up at him. Everything she did was a whirl or quick turn.

Telltale bird motions.

She screeched in rage, uttering the foulest names she could contrive.

Utterly adorable.

Beautiful rage. Even from up here he saw her stormy blue eyes sparking in fury.

"Just be happy you can get fresh air and feel the sunlight on your skin." He gestured up to the brightening sun with one slim-fingered hand. "I know how you love it." He called to her. His back propped in the window frame to stare down at her. "Look at all the space you have!"

He knew he was prodding her. But she's been avoiding me for days.

And he hungered for a bit of verbal parrying with her.

She spat epithets before stomping into the stable.

To sit with the kittens and puppies, and pout, no doubt. He knew her fondness for them.

Surrendering, he sighed and hopped off the windowsill. Weaving his way downstairs.

***

The next morning dawned bright. Finding Elsabet going to see Sebastian's silver stallion.

Sivikon.

"I've seen you coming to see him." He purred.

She jumped at the sound of Bast's voice. Back going ramrod straight, she only spared him a glance.

But even from the double stable doors, leaned against the frame, he heard the increase in her heart rate. Saw the bead of sweat starting on her brow and the contradictory goosebumps rising on her arms.

She gave him an assessing look, thick arms crossed over that wide chest. Her eyes rested awhile on the thin scars folding over his right shoulder where something had bit him so long ago. A broad hammer was gripped in one of his fists. Dirt marked him from the task he'd toiled on this morning.

"No cloak, furs, or finery today?" She mocked. Neglecting to mention his lack of shirt. Doing her best to keep her gaze averted. Though it continually strayed back to those scars.

"Look at me." He teased. "I vow you'll like what you see."

"You didn't seem to be so hesitant the night we made love."

"How dare you mention that!" She said bitterly.

"Then look at me." He laughed.

I dare you, Woman.