FULL NOVELXO Chapter Stay Awhile
After the twins exchanged a few self-deprecating stories, Alazar rose and rounded to leave.
“Don’t go!” To both men’s shock Elsabet launched from her chair to stop him. “Tell me, Alazareth. Why are you here?” Her tone was coaxing and posture demure as he turned back. She moved to touch his arm, but her fingertips twitched.
Not quite able to do it. Bast quietly observed the interaction. What’s she up to?
“I wish to speak to my brother about a woman.” Alazareth eyed her, frowning.
He doesn’t want her to touch him anymore than she wants to.
He already has a woman. Bast knew the depth of his brother’s loyalty.
“She’s-” Alazar started.
Stopping when Bast shot him a sidelong glance. Not in-front of her.
The more she has on us, the more she can use against us.
Alazar gave a half-smile. “Perhaps soon a fiancé...I wish to discuss how to go about saving her Holdings...” He blew a breath. Shoulders easing. “I’d have my brother meet her and see if plans I’m forming would work.”
Bast’s shock at his twin’s words deepened when she spoke.
“This woman,” She queried. “Do you love her or just wish to take her, so you may rule?”
The smoked nuts in his hand nearly slipped to the floor. She has compassion for him?
She’s never asked me such an intimate question.
Alazar’s face tightened. “I love her. That’s why I wish to take her castle…To help her.”
Elsabet frowned in confusion.
“She will run it into the ground if she continues on her track.”
“Because she’s a woman?” Elsabet cut in bitterly.
Ah, there’s the woman I know.
Alazar’s brows lifted. “No. Because she’s tenderhearted and has faith where she shouldn’t. And once she realizes what she’s done, it’ll be too late. And she’ll mourn it.” His gaze fell. “I couldn’t bear that. I’m devising a way to save her from that fate.”
To Bast’s shock Elsabet’s face softened at the sincerity in his twins’ words.
Are you kidding me? For him? His jaw went slack.
“You’re genuinely concerned about her.” She commented.
“I am.”
“Why do you not just tell this woman the truth of the situation?” Elsabet asked.
“She’d not hear it!” Alazar’s face hardened and tone iced. “She’s willful, defiant and thinks me...Everything dark and evil.”
She saw Bast’s meaningful look.
“Why do you smirk, Demon?” She demanded.
“Because I know you’re perceptive enough to recognize the parallels.”
“You’ve not claimed to love me.” She swallowed hard. “And he,” she gestured to Alazar. “Is forthcoming despite being of reserved character.”
She wants me to be more forthcoming?
I’d like to be. I’d love to tell her how I want her and all the things I want to do to her.
I want to talk to her about how I’d like to be closer with her. Not just our bodies…Though I’d have no objections to that!
Perhaps it’s better I’m not more forthcoming…He frowned.
“I’m passionate about all things regarding you!” Bast argued. Leaning forward. White shirt falling open at the neck as he moved. Gripping the armrests until knuckles turned white. Restraining himself from launching to his feet to get ahold of her.
He felt the ripple of dragons sliding under his skin.
Immediately Elsabet rose from the chair opposite. Sensing his rising emotion. Her gown clinging, she escaped the library.
“I do think more deeply before speaking on a topic.” Alazar confirmed.
Bast barely heard him. Eyes lighting on the doorway where she’d disappeared. This side of her is intriguing. I want it to continue.
“Alazar.” He said off-handedly. “You’re staying for dinner. We will talk after.”
“Must we?” Alazar groaned, already missing Riaura.
“Indeed, we must.”
“I am to be a hostage then?”
“Yes. I wish to see more of this soft side of her you incite.”
“Perhaps if one is not in pursuit of her, she’s not threatened?” Alazar offered.
“Hmm.” Bast leaned back in his chair and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“It’s wisdom well-offered, as you well-know. May I go back to Nightway now?”
“Not a chance.”
“I hate you.”
“You love me.”
“I do not.”
Bast hardly heard him.
Again.