The Taming

Her Solace

RHYERS

Rhyers was in WaterRose's library, patiently waiting for Sebastian to come down. As he often did.

He sat quietly in the blue chair awaiting Sebastian, knowing he always wandered down when he was good and healed.

Rhyers had leisurely picked up the book Elsabet had left set open on the counter. He'd picked up reading where she had left off. He was surprised to find it was plump with old-world tales. Some of the characters were very similar to the Forever Knights. Which he found intriguing.

It was obvious she was trying to learn more about them. And the books stacked next to that one reflected a deep interest in history, and philosophy. Books that no average individual would've picked up.

These books indicated she was a woman of deep intelligence. Something Rhyers had suspected it, but found it hard to discern, behind the layers of her rage.

He nearly tossed the book when he saw her stalking through the doorway. Her gaze landed on him.

Something is wrong.

She visibly slumped upon finding him there. Which told him she was looking for a place to hide.

Some solace. He guessed. Which made him instantly worried. She'd always struck him as a woman that addressed her concerns, head on.

Not hid from them.

This was unlike her.

Instead of her usual groan and eye roll at the sight of him, she looked at him with blatant emotion written over her face. Her usual anger seemed entirely absent.

Something I've never seen. He jumped to his feet.

"Elsabet?"

Are you okay?

"What's wrong?" He blurted when she didn't answer.

She drew a shaking breath. Body trembling as tears surged into her eyes. A broken sob escaped her.

Feeling deep compassion for the woman usually so strong, he reflexively opened his arms and tilted his head in invitation for her to come over.

She threw herself against his chest, hugging him in her desperate need for comfort.

Startled, he folded his arms around her, and held her like a wounded child.

"Ssh. Ssh." He soothed. Stroking a hand over her hair as he would a little one.

It was unbearable to see her so defeated. She's so unyielding.

"What's wrong with you, girl?"

But he already had a guess in mind. It has to be Sebastian. Nothing else would affect her this much.

"He won't let me go!" She wailed. Confirming Rhyers's suspicions. She burrowed her face in his silk tunic and fisted it near her face. As if the pain was so agonizing, she needed something to hold onto.

Rhyers grimaced. What is this about?

Bast materialized in the doorway behind her. Taking in the scene with a pained expression, his eyes moved from Elsabet to Rhyers.

Rhyers blinked back at him, over her head.

Don't think that. Rhyers willed him with his unashamed stare. I didn't do this.

You did this! He thought accusingly. What'd you do?

Sebastian's answer entered his mind immediately. I didn't mean to hurt her.

Is this about letting her go?

I wanted to. Sebastian's thoughts defended him.

Rhyers gave him a chiding look. His body shaking as Elsabet jerked him forward and back as she sobbed. Expressing her deep frustration on the wall of Rhyers's chest.

Bast jerked forward with an arm out.

No. Rhyers lifted a staying hand behind her back. Not now. You can't fix this, right now. Can't you see she needs time.

Bast blanched and lowered his head in shame, easing back through the doorway and into the shadows of the foyer. The darkness swallowing his tall blonde features.

I've never seen anguish on his face. Rhyers realized. Knowing that was what he'd just witnessed in his friend's crumpled expression.

Sebastian was talented at hiding that. His laughter often masked his pain.

"What can I do?" Rhyers queried. Tilting her back enough to ask.

"Tell him to set me free!" She cried brokenly.

His shirt was soaked from her tears. And his natural compassion made him ache for her sorrow. She has such obvious feelings for him.

Plain for anyone but him to see.

"You care for him." He whispered quietly enough no one else in the stronghold could hear.

"I do!" She turned up a tear-stained face as she admitted it, in a rare show of vulnerability.

"But you want to leave?"

If you love him why do you want to go? He wanted to understand.

"I want to have the optionto leave!"

The option...He pondered it. She's not saying she'd actually leave.

She wants her freedom. Anyone in her place would crave that.

"Would you stay?" He asked her cautiously. Even as he asked it, he feared her answer.

He wouldn't do well without her. Fear was heavy in Rhyers's stomach. He could fall like he did in the 1600s. Before he found her and gathered up the pieces of what he'd been.

He almost died in 1580. Rhyers remembered. He would've, had it not been for Deragan finding him bleeding out, naked under those bushes, muttering about falling... Rhyers recalled that as vividly as if he were seeing it all over again.

"No!" She gasped in outrage. "But perhaps one day, I'd come back..."

"And 'perhaps' isn't enough for him." Rhyers said as it sunk in.

He felt a wash of agony and realized it was Bast's emotion he felt this time. From the other side of the wall. He's sitting on the stairs wishing he could help.

Rhyers rolled his eyes heavenward. A glutton for punishment. Punishing himself for this decision, by forcing himself to listen to her suffering.

"Elsabet, I'll do what I can." Rhyers murmured. His voice lowered with sincerity as he added for both her and Sebastian's benefit. "He should let you go."

I know. He heard Bast respond into his thoughts. I know!

You can't keep her here forever. Rhyers urged.

It's not all that you think. It's worse.

Rhyers sighed. "It'll be okay, Elsabet. I'll do what I can to help."

"There's nothing you can do!" She sniffled. Her voice muffled in his drenched shirt.

Rhyers understood she needed comfort. He let her hold on, he stroked her hair with one hand, his other limp, as he waited for her tears to find an end.