The Taming

What is This?

His head whipped that direction.

"You did it apurpose!" He pointed a finger. "You barbarian!"

He leapt from his chair and ran to the doorway, laughter on his lips as he reached it. Seeing her light blue dress vanishing up the stairs.

Chuckling he returned to his seat. Once there, he relaxed and stared at the winking gold flower decorating the mantle. Just above it was a decanter from upstairs, half full of amber liquid. Near it was clay bowl.

He knew, without a doubt, what'd be in it. Sighing he stood and lifted them from the mantle. Pouring his drink and returning the nuts to the small jar. Replacing the small glass lid after grabbing a handful.

Devious Harpie. He chuckled to himself. Pleased to see mischief in her.

Only as he settled in again did he wonder if she'd hoped he'd chase her up the stairs. Intriguing thought...

For one pretty moment he envisioned a relationship with her. Filled with teasing pranks and mischief. Blue eyes sparkling as she laughed merrily. Chasing her and possibly little ones up and down the corridors of the stronghold he'd designed and built with his own hands.

A family.

***

The following evening Sebastian finished checking the different levels, visiting with some of the knights, and inspecting the Flood Room to ensure it wasn't rising. Afterwards he headed to the library to await her. Surprised to find her there so early in the eve.

He stopped to watch her. Like observing some graceful creature in their habitat.

She sat engrossed in a heavy volume resting on her knees. She lifted her fingertips to tuck a stray lock of silvery hair behind her dainty ear with soft fingertips. Blue eyes intent on the pages before her. Lips parted.

Her every movement was a flutter or sway.

Like a bird.

She sat in the large chair next to the fire.

My chair. He saw her skin spike and eyes slide from the pages. She senses me.

Setting the book in her lap, she crossed her palms over it. "I can feel you." Her challenge was met with long silence.

Not yet. He thought. But I'd like you to.

He relented. "You don't sense me as well as I do you."

"Yet I know your presence all the same."

"Sometimes..."

She stiffened. "Why don't you show yourself?"

Why? Hesitating, he strode into the library. Entering the oval of candlelight next to the nearest shelf. Propping a shoulder there, he leaned to cross his ankles. Giving her a long study, he assessed her vibrant blue eyes in dancing firelight.

"Why do you only appear after dark?"

"Are you inconvenienced? Am I interfering in your snooping?" He lifted a blonde brow. Looking over the library before returning his gaze to her.

I am.

"It's when I prefer to be awake, yes."

Liar.

"What is it you search for so desperately?"

"Doesn't every library have a book of lineage about the house and its lord?" She stood. Trying to appear casual, but her voice was tight as she began moving through the aisles to replace the book.

"Seeking to know your enemy?" He said when she returned.

Her eyes fell, cheeks drawing in as she searched for an answer. A new book dangling from her hand.

Precisely what she was doing.

"If you can't escape on your terms, you'll find a way around me and my magic? That your newest plan?"

"I'm not one to play docile captive."

***

Go ahead and look. Keep busy searching. It'll take more than a book to outmaneuver me, Little Harpie.

You're not going anywhere.

"If you think somewhere in these aisles, I keep my secrets..." He inspected perfectly squared nails thoughtfully. "You'd be right..."

"You could just tell me where it is?"

Not a chance.

He shook his head and crossed his arms again. "Now what fun would that be?"

"Then you could simply tell me how Sebastian Bodane came to be King of the Castle of Water?" She mocked.

It's not me you care to know about. I know better.

"So that's the answer you want?" He mulled it over. "So, which is it you search for? A book of lineage, a book of heritage, or something of lore?"

"Which one would have your tale?"

"You wish to know about my world or my amulet?" He asked perceptively.

"Perhaps both."

Perhaps my amulet.

He lifted a brow. "So, you'd know how to escape me or how to kill me?"

"And what if my answer was 'perhaps both'?"

Then you'd be honest for once...

His gaze searched her face. "Haven't you learned yet that with me you get much more than you bargained for? Especially when attacking me."

***

Sneering she bit her tongue.

"Didn't anyone warn you about this?" He lifted his chain from under his shirt.

"Iceron cautioned me, but I believed it'd be a simple enough mission."

Then you were mistaken.

"Stealing from a man is never simple."

She scoffed. "Quite often it is. They're easily distracted by something lovely."

Not me.

I'm distracted by very little. He was not inclined to admit that her statement incited him because he knew there was a grain of truth in it. He'd thought of little else since she'd entered WaterRose.

Stepping close he used a crooked finger to lift her chin, ignoring her wince at the contact. "You're quite lovely, yet still I keep you at my mercy...So you see...Stealing is never simple." Shaking his head slowly he kept her eyes. "There is always a consequence. Be it to your person, your time, or your soul."

"Ye think I still have one?" She laughed coldly.

"I know you do." His face was solemn. "I've seen how you act with the animals here. You're no soulless murderess as you'd have me think."

"Bring me some fluffy bunny and tell me so then." She grated through clenched teeth.

After a long pause he turned and left the library without another word.

She watched him leave. Staring at the doorway, gnawing her cheek before finally collecting the book she'd been reading.