The Taming

What You've Done

Several hours later, Sebastian heard his chamber door open and didn't have to move from the window to know who it was. "Hello, Brother."

"Bast." Alazareth greeted. "You knew she'd become angry with me?"

"I did." Bast's voice was amused as he uncoiled from the window and approached his twin. Dropping to the wooden chair at the table to toy with a small ceramic vase. "Tell me of your Riaura."

"She's suffering."

"I know this." Bast didn't look up. "Your Riaura is kindred spirit to my valkyrie. Her passions run hot once spurred."

"She hardly speaks to me anymore." Alazar sighed.

"I've no doubt it's you that holds her interest." Sebastian reassured. Sensing it was what his twin needed to hear. "It's merely a woman's way to spurn the one she cares for when emotions become too intense."

Pain burrowed into Bast, and he slammed the vase down a bit more tersely than he intended. Saying the words aloud more for his own benefit than his twins'.

"Yes..." Alazareth gave him a pointed look, seeing right through the double-meaning. "They certainly can."

They broke the silence to discuss what Alazareth would do if Riaura continued her course with Danbury.

"It could become dangerous for you, Brother." Bast cautioned. Sitting back in the chair to thoughtfully tap the vase.

"It could. But he should likely fear me more than I fear him."

"Perhaps you should consider finding some allies against him."

"Are you offering? Not in the least." Bast said quickly. "I've much to attend to here."

"That is obvious...I'll think on that."

"Do you have any friends at all?"

"Aren't you amusing?" Alazar frowned.

"Generally."

"Less lately." Alazar noted. "She's wearing on you."

"Ah, but I'm wearing on her."

"But I thought your intent was to wear her down."

"It is. It's not going how I intend."

"I must go." Alazar said. Sensing Bast needed some time alone. "I worry for her at night."

"When Cimmerii are out." Bast acknowledged. "It is a perilous time."

"But I will be back in the morning, I need to tell you something."

"What?"

"I'm not wholly sure." Alazareth admitted. "I'm still processing it, myself."

But Bast picked up one word ringing so loudly in Alazareth's thoughts it echoed in Sebastian's unbiddenly.

Chavias.

Which had Sebastian sitting forward. His curiosity raging beyond belief. But Alazar was already making his exit.

With no intention of telling me. Sebastian knew him well.

***

When finally, Alazar left, Sebastian freely shucked his clothes and climbed into the four-poster. Savoring the texture of satin sheets smoothing over his body. He remembered their warmth when she laid next to him.

I miss that heat. It was so much better then feeling neither heat nor cold. Nothing is worse than feeling numb.

He slept little that night, if at all. His dreams were shadowed by thoughts of Radix.