The Taming

Bargains to Eat

Elsabet looked away. Clearly not wanting to admit that she had watched over him as he suffered. Running a fever, sweating, probably flailing in misery.

All the while, she was here.

"How long have I been asleep."

"A day and a half."

"When did you last eat?" His smirk vanished as he lifted his head to give her a worried look.

She tipped her head in a way that said she didn't know.

"Elengard!" He called as loudly as he could. Choking and coughing from the strain on his throat.

There were hurried steps on the stairs before she materialized in the doorway.

"Feed her." He swallowed. "Please."

"I've been trying for days, My Lord!" She expostulated. "She won't leave this room. And wouldn't eat until you awoke."

"Elsabet." He whispered chidingly.

Her expression was unreadable.

"You need to eat."

"You need to heal." She countered.

"I will lay here and be your obedient captive patient, providing that you start eating for however long you wish to remain at my side."

Her eyes narrowed. Not liking being told what to do.

But when Elengard returned with a steaming platter, Elsabet took it and began eating under Sebastian's watchful eye. Spooning some warm broth with bits of potato, to her lips.

"You should be eating."

"I doubt I could keep any down."

"You haven't eaten all the while I didn't." She pointed out.

He rolled his head to look at her. But was too weary to argue.

"Open." She directed. Stretching to offer him the spoon.

He gave her a derisive look at being commanded like a child. But he opened his mouth.

She attempted to pour the soup, but it ended up pouring over his cheek and chin.

He sputtered.

"Oh, no!" Elsabet cried. Giggling, as she tried to catch it from touching the pillow. Her frantic movements, and tinkling laughter made her look wholly different.

Sebastian began choking again. A sound which quickly bloomed to more coughing due to his raw throat.

Elengard stood in the shadows of the hall, peering around the doorway. A little hypnotized by the charm of the two.

Elengard was so engrossed watching the two Elsabet and Sebastian laughing together, that she didn't hear Timus coming down the hall to check on her, as he often did throughout the day.

"What is it?" Her husband moved close to wrap his arms about her waist. Setting his chin on her shoulder to peer into the doorway, with her.

"Ssh." Elengard twisted to peer at him over her shoulder. Frowning at the noise he'd made. "He's probably already heard you."

"Our Lord?"

"Sebastian." She smiled fondly. "Look at him with her."

"What am I seeing?"

Elsabet had moved Sebastian, to cradle his head in her lap as she offered him sips of her broth.

"You are seeing how they are only really themselves, when they are with the other."

They were a beautiful sight in the dancing firelight. Flakes of snow trailing beyond one cracked shutter. The evening lent the room a shadowy air.

"They look like the perfect winter romance."

Timus snorted softly. "I doubt she'd see it that way."

"Perhaps she wouldn't admit it. But she does love him."

"Are you so sure of that?"

"I am."

"I think if she ever made it off this mountain, she'd never look back?"

"You don't think she cares for him?" Elengard asked in surprise.

"I think she'd do it, because she does."

"For who? To save him or herself?"

"Perhaps both."

"She's not so evil." Elengard argued. "When no one is watching, she's the kindest soul. With the cats, the wolves, the animals that creep into these walls. She cherishes them all. She talks to them like they're her friends."

Timus sighed. "It's not even our place to wonder, wife."

"I suppose your right, but one cannot help themselves."

He chuckled. Pressing a quick kiss to her cheek. "I must get back to the wall. May I still a bit of your bread?"

"Of course." She gave him a knowing smile. "In a month, I'll be baking that sweet bread you love."

"Mmm." He bowed backward. "I await the day."

Elengard tilted her head. Giving the room one last look before sliding away from the doorway and wandering down the hall. Back down to the kitchens.

***

When Sebastian awoke again, he felt much better. Much of the pain had evaporated. However, the lingering pleasure of laughing with her while she tended him, was still warm in his spirit.

Comforting, like a window of brightness in a dull day-to-day existence.

Even now as he shifted and began easing his eyes open, he caught the familiar scent of her. Wildflowers.

He inhaled deeply. She's close.

Shifting slightly, he felt a weight at his back. Just barely moving the muscles and his shoulders he was able to tell there was a very soft body, complete with perky breasts, pressed against him. Molding the entirety of his body down to his thighs. She was folded around him. Breathing softly near his ear. Warm breath caressed his cheek.

Well, I'm not moving. He savored the feel of her. Feeling at peace. Why couldn't we have every day like this?

Feeling a slight shifting, he noticed her arm tucked around his side reached further over him as she shifted in her sleep. The slim hand splayed over his abdomen beneath the fur. Her pinky just brushed the coarse hair framing his manhood.

He grimaced at the reaction of his body. Just knowing how close she was to touching him was enough to drive him to aching need. Even in the state he was in. He was reflexively flexing upward to offer her more of a touch, before he caught himself and eased the other direction. Trying to pull further from her hand.

"You're awake." She said sleepily. Her voice was soft when she forgot to inject all the bitterness into it.

"Mmm hmm." He shifted again, trying to writhe casually from that feathery touch.

Past experience told him if she felt his reaction, she was highly likely to flee.

"What are you doing?"

He cleared his throat. Scooting the fur aside as he neared the edge of the bed to swing his legs out. "It's high time I get up. I'm feeling quite better."