The Taming

Betray Me

Sebastian stepped lithely from the dark. Wearing a dark shirt, frilled at the cuffs. Long blonde hair waving in a cloud down to his shoulders. Making him luminesce in the blackness, as vivid gold as the moonlight was silver.

Chastain immediately reached longingly to touch him. His face and hair. She leaned up on her toes. A slender wraith in the dark. Wearing her white muslin nightdress. She stretched to reach for him. Her fingertips itching to feel his skin. To touch that hair. She ached to be closer to him.

When she could just touch his cheek, her expression changed. Realization dawned.

He tilted backward, evading her touch. Eventually, he was forced to catch her wrist to stay her.

That moment gave her the chance to think. To see beyond her primal desire. Her hand fell and recognition brightened her face.

Thank heaven He thought. Realizing that she'd recognized him.

And somehow, she'd managed to resist the urge to touch him, all on her own. He couldn't readily recall the last time that had happened.

Except with Elsabet.

He assessed this girl before him with renewed respect.

Strong willed thing. He thought. Both grateful and impressed.

"Sebastian?" She recalled feeling this irresistible urge before. Her hands worked in restraining fists.

He stepped further into the light. Suddenly very glad he'd swung through the Netherwood, on his way back toward WaterRose.

***

An Hour Before

He'd decided a long walk was warranted. He couldn't drive the sound of Elsabet crying out of his ears anymore than he could banish the sight of her wrapped in Rhyers's arms, from his mind. Despite that he was well aware there'd been no sexual intent between the two.

That wasn't why he was jealous. He envied the fact that she'd sought comfort from Rhyers. That's what had hurt him.

Bast had heard the girl crying from across the moors. Her cries echoing through the trees and seeping from the woods. A heartfelt sound.

He'd felt Acharius's agony too, and knew he was still hiding from her. Lurking in different parts of his den to keep his distance.

Ever since Chavias was here.

Sebastian knew how much it had bothered Acharius that Chavias had been so close to the girl. Close enough to snatch up a noni just behind her.

That had alarmed both men.

And scared her.

That fear had driven Acharius to draw away from her. And to pretend he'd left the Merwood entirely. A choice which had anguished them both.

Sebastian wasn't about to tolerate it anymore.

They deserve to be happy. As rocky as the road there might be.

So, he'd made a choice. One which Acharius would not well-receive.

Perhaps a bit of 'meddling' would help heal his wounded heart, even if he couldn't heal Elsabet's as he wished to.

Which had led him running through the fog and leaping in her window.

***

This girl needs to know the truth. Sebastian now eyed her warily as he circled wide in the periphery of the room. Staying well from her reach.

He'd known of the deception Acharius was doing for weeks now.

And I know why.

But every reason Acharius had stated, didn't sound like enough of one to keep them apart. At least not in Sebastian's mind.

His gaze zeroed in on her as he contemplated how he'd approach the topic.

She's fighting the urge to touch me. He was strangely proud of the little redhead. And his heart swelled for his brother. Only love for Acharius would make her so strong.

"I only want to talk to you, I've no ill intention."

"I didn't think you did." She was turning to keep him in view. The hint of fear still lingered in her expression.

"If you must touch me, do forewarn me." He pulled up his sleeve to expose a forearm. Indicating that's what he'd allow. "Ofttimes one must do so, before they can focus on my words."

"I don't wish to." She said.

He believed her. Though he could see the strain in her body, built from the primal need to have contact with his skin, he knew her mind was in harsh control of her.

"Why-why are you h-here?" She managed to choke out, breaking into his assessment. She eyed the expanse of golden-brown skin, spotted with shining yellow hair. Revealed through the 'v'ing neckline of his dress shirt.

"I come on behalf of my comrade."

She closed her eyes and shook her head, struggling to focus.

Still warring that urge.

But she is winning. He was inwardly rooting for her.

"Acharius." She offered.

"Yes." Bast murmured. "He's pleaded for the Meredith House women to deceive you. Moved his things, so you wouldn't know that he's still at the cave."

"What? Why!" She demanded. Hurt written over her face.

"It was my doing." He said shamefaced. Remembering what he'd divulged, and the subsequent effect it had on Acharius.

He was immediately worried for her.

"He wishes to protect you. Knows there are many things that'd seek to harm our kind and those who are precious to us."

She cut him off. "You're doing?"

He blanched. Tipping his head sideways in admonition.

She was aghast but her expression quickly turned wary. "What did you do?"

Meddling. Bast knew. That's what Acharius would call this.

"I told him of a present threat."

Chavias.

Bast sighed. Wondering if he'd said enough.

Chavias was so much more than a threat.

He's a death sentence.

"He worries something intensely dangerous would come for him, and you'd be there. He fears he'd be unable to protect you."

"The white thing? In the woods?" She asked perceptively.

"Yes."

"I knew it. He's been scarce and behaved oddly ever since.

"He worries for you. He thinks your closeness could get you hurt."

"He thinks I would care?"

"I believe he's doing what he thinks best for you both." Having said his piece, Bast reached the window slit and moved to climb through it.

She snorted in disagreement. Her next question stayed him. "Why have you told me this? Haven't you betrayed him by telling me?"

Sebastian stood frozen, straddling the window ledge. He still considered leaving. But her question deserved an answer.

Yes, I'm betraying Acharius by being here and telling you of his plan.

Gradually, he returned his dangling foot to the floor inside. After considering how to answer her, he spun to face her. His expression revealed the depth of his exhaustion. "My girl, I'd hope, that were I fool enough to forsake the only mate I may have in my lifetime, that one of my brothers would display enough kindness to so betray me."