The Taming

Because of Her

"I can't sleep." He sighed. Grabbing his sherry decanter and a couple glasses before walking to the doorway to meet her.

To prevent her intruding.

"Because of her?" Dorena fell into step next to him as he crossed the foyer toward the expansive parlor.

He glanced at her and knew it was written over his face.

"You love her, don't you?" Dorena asked softly. Pain written over her as he ushered her into the parlor to warm by the fire.

"I want to." He admitted. "But she won't let me close enough."

"Why?" Dorena asked in disbelief. Pretty blue eyes rounding. Though her features, hair and eyes, were similar to Elsabet she looked very different.

More like the Fallen.

Dorena's face was round. Eyes sky blue rather than a storm-tossed sea. Her hair wound with blonde highlights. Nothing like Elsabet's which was more silver and white.

She's beautiful, no doubt. She possessed the kind of lovely full figure which Bast used to have appreciation for. But not now. Now I compare her to the slim lines of Elsabet's appealing frame. Revealing she's half wild. Able to burst into a run as easily as pick up a dagger at a moment's notice...Untamed.

"If she doesn't care for you, why does she dislike me?"

Fair question. I don't know.

"How do you know she does?" He asked guardedly as he meandered to drag a plain wood chair from near the wall to near the chair opposite the settee.

"She looks at me with hate."

"She looks at everyone with hate." He sighed. Slumping into the plush seat. He poured himself a glass of his fine sherry then lifted another toward her.

She shook her head. "Even you?"

Definitely me.

He snorted as he sat back to nurse his glass. Putting his feet up on the chair he'd dragged over. "Especially me."

"Why?"

A million reasons.

"Because she's my captive."

"But you say I could leave anytime?"

"You can." He took a sip.

"Then why can't she?"

Because she's mine.

"She's something else. Something dangerous."

"Are you sure that's the only reason?" She eyed him skeptically.

It's not.

"No." He admitted.

Never one, much for lying.

"If you looked at me like that. I'd never look back at you with hatred." She murmured.

Look at you like what?

He gave her a quick glance, but she stared toward the doorway thoughtfully. "Perhaps not. But she's the only woman I desire." His tone was hard.

Don't mistake my kindness for interest.

"I know." She winced. His words hitting home.

"How are you doing, overall?" He asked more gently.

"It still hurts." She put a hand to her stomach. Where the dark magic still occasionally writhed and coiled like a snake unwilling to leave the pit of her belly. "Sometimes. But it gets better. And I no longer feel filthy...Like there's hope."

"More than hope. I'm proud of you." His blue-green eyes roved her. "You're a strong woman. And abandoning Radix is no easy feat."

"Will I really be free of him?"

"Yes. When the pain no longer plagues you. When you're no longer hungry for whatever need he was meeting for you."

He didn't ask what it was she'd sought so desperately Radix had seen her weakness. Could've been greed, lust, company, confidence, power. Any of which were common feeding ground for Radix.

He took another drink of his sherry. Glancing over and seeing Dorena watched him intently. "What?"

"Would that I was your captive."

No, you do not. He opened his mouth to tell her so but a shriek from upstairs tore the night. Echoing in the hallways and making the castle quake.

Without thought, Sebastian took the stairs at a breakneck pace. A few wolves wandered into the corridor to see if he needed assistance. He waved them off as he ran the hall. Ripping open her door to find her sitting up in bed. Panting heavily.

Torches flickered in the hall from the momentum of her emotion.

As he kicked in her door to rush to her side, he pulled back the curtain of the canopy she'd drawn tonight.

Instantly overwhelmed by flashes of a man lifting a riding crop to strike her. A fistful of her hair locked in his fist as she screamed. Struggling to twist away while blows rained down on her sides, hips, and thighs. Her pain and fear emanating in shivers through the castle.

"Elsabet! Elsabet!" Bast called to her. Forcing her to blink slowly and look at him. He gently caught her face. "Here Honey. I'm right here. Please look at me."

Her breaths slowed as she focused on him.

Yes, it's me.

He nodded. "I'm here. It's me."

She eased back, trying to pull from him and he rose to sit on the edge of her bed next to her. "No, no." He tugged her closer. Gripping her gently enough to allow her to lean back.

"It's okay." He whispered. "It's okay. Come here. I won't hurt you. It's me."

"Sebastian?" She murmured.

"Yes. Ease Honey. I'd never hurt you. Never lift a hand to you."

Her panting breaths turned to sobs.

"No, no. Don't cry." He pleaded feeling emotion rise to his own eyes at seeing her in such anguish. "Don't. I cannot..."

Her lips quivered in hurt.

He was mesmerized by the pain in her gaze.

She met his look so long he saw the turquoise of his eyes reflected in hers.

"Elsabet, let me hold you." He released her to open his arms wide. Welcoming her.

Hesitating, her eyes roved his face.

Yes, it's safe.

"Look all you need." He assured as he always did. "I'm here. I'm true. What you see is what you get. I don't lie. I'd never hurt you."

She bit her cheek and slowly nodded. Easing toward him.

When she was close enough, he tugged her to his shoulder. He folded his arms around her. Hugging her. Reaching to sweep up her legs and pull her into his lap. Rocking her slowly as she burrowed more tightly against him. Flattening her hands against his shoulder before clutching his tunic as if she feared he'd let her go.

"That's it, Sweetheart. What can I do?"

"This." She whimpered. Burying her face in his collar.

He nodded. "All you want. You need only ever ask." He put a palm to the back of her head to balance her as he rocked.