The Taming

It Will be You

Sebastian wondered briefly if Mardichi was steady enough on his feet to help him in, or if they'd both end up in a bruised heap. But a glance at the barbarian's balanced stance assured him Mardichi was so accustomed to drink, that one meager cask was not enough to maintain his happy intoxication.

That settled, Bast felt his stomach drop at the prospect of entering the castle to find the valkyrie's disappointment.

I can't bear that crushed look of her.

I should've hid in an inn room rather than partaken.

"Oh." Mardichi reared back as they pushed through the doors. "What 'tis tha' feeling?"

"Her emotion."

"She has tha'?" Mardichi's voice rose in surprise.

Bast swallowed. There was an eerie silence in the castle that told him she was already asleep. He caught the faint sound of a girl crying. And the growl of an enraged man's shouting. Though the words were indiscernible. An intermingled muttering of sound.

A hazy green and gold image of a slim blonde-haired girl floated into the corridor before fleeing down the stairs with a tiny black cat clutched in her arms. Her sobs haunting as they echoed over the high ceilings and filled the foyer.

With her fleeing down toward them, he was able to glimpse that she was a younger version of Elsabet.

Her as a child.

A faltering man dressed in lord's finery was chasing her steps. Reaching to catch at her. One time he even grasped a handful of her hair. Using it to jerk her head back.

But despite it, she lurched forward. Tearing out a chunk of her own hair to escape the chaser's cloying hands.

"I'll kill it!" He shouted in an echoing voice which told both Mardichi and Sebastian they were seeing a dream or a memory.

Bast was so intent on the girl, that he only faintly noticed the moment the man's eyes flared bright orange. Fixated on the petite girl's back as her attacker reached for her again.

He's some kind of firoque. Bast realized. The man chasing this younger Elsabet was related to cimmerii.

Or working for Radix.

"No!" She squealed. Hugging the little cat closer to her shoulder.

"Please, please stop." She begged as she fled through the open door of the library.

What's going on? Sebastian watched both wraiths. Why is she pleading?

Who's here? Panic surged through him in blinding waves. He quickly realized the power of Elsabet's nightmare had manifested from some horrifying memory to combine with the layout of WaterRose.

Both Mardichi and Sebastian stood immobile as they bore witness to the scene.

"What's happening?" Mardichi asked. Light blue eyes huge as he watched the hazy images.

A genuine sob came from Elsabet's room upstairs, even as the ghostly girl hid in the library.

The intoxicated lord shouted for her, storming through the aisles.

How do I stop this?

Sebastian and Mardichi went to the door and peered in.

The hazy man was perilously close to finding her.

No! Bast jerked free of Mardichi's support and took the stairs two at a time. Only tripping once in the hallway, pushing himself off the wall as fast as he landed against it, to keep forward momentum aimed toward Elsabet's chamber. He ripped the door open so violently he nearly tore it from the hinges.

Elsabet's dark wings had pushed her from the bed, lifting her to hover horizontally above it, the creamy coverlet dangling around her. She was coated in a sheen of sweat. Head tossing frantically.

This nightmare won't stop until her attacker gets both her and her kitten.

But he promised himself something. She isn't going to relive that again now.

He rounded the giant four-poster bed. Gently reaching under her, he folded the blanket around her. Careful not to graze her sharp tips of wings. Lifting her weight into his arms he gingerly turned her and pulled her close to his chest. Rolling her into him so when her wings splayed, they'd be pointed away from him.

At the feel of physical contact, they did just that. Shooting backward and stiffening in raw terror. She cried out, stretching her neck as she strained against him. Unable to escape the nightmare.

"It's me. It's me." He tightened around her to keep her from hurting herself or him. He cupped her head against his shoulder as he lowered her to a sitting position on the edge of the bed. Still cradling her body. "Elsabet. I'm here."

"No." She turned her head away from him and he regretted more than ever the reek of ale on his breath.

Stupid. Stupid. He cursed his poor choice tonight, again.

"Elsabet it's only me. I'd never hurt you." Balancing her on the edge of the bed allowed her long brown wings to fall atop it. Tipping over the far side to pool along the floor.

He knelt before her. Pressing his forehead to hers as he gently rocked her back and forth. "I'm here. Right here."

She blinked blearily at him. Blue eyes painfully tear stained. "Sebastian?"

"I'm sorry I smell of drink, Elsabet."

"You're here." Her bottom lip quivered, nearly childlike as she gratefully wrapped her arms around his neck, launching herself into his lap.

Startled, Bast's arms reflexively circled her. He fell backward to his heels, rocking her in his arms. Tugging the coverlet back into place around her.

"You're so warm." She whispered into his collar.

"I know."

"Where were you? Checking on one of your brothers or..."

She worries I was with a woman again.

"I was not with a woman." He admitted. "I was drinking in self-pity."

"Why?"

"I-Raese-I..."

"What?" She leaned back against his forearm to peer up at him.

"I thought I could find him."

"But you didn't?"

"I was close." He hung his head.

So close.

She slid her delicate hands up over his chest and neck to catch both edges of his square jaw, lifting his face to hers. "If anyone could find him, it will be you."