Beastly Desires

Chapter Nineteen

Sébastien slashed at the tapestry in his study before barreling towards the book shelf and mindlessly ripping out books. They flung to the floor, their broken spines and shredded papers skittering across the stone.

"Urgh!" Sébastien growled, wildly clawing at his shirt until it dangled from his shoulders and arms in jagged strips. His chest heaved and fell as he took deep, guttural breaths.

Rage simmered along his body, in his mind. The need and hate that filled him inside dared to burst open. Seeing her... seeing Colette on her knees, her nightgown hanging from her shoulder. The sun kissed skin he saw that lulled him into desire ravished his senses. Her chest nearly exposed had his member boiling with blood.

And that damn lavender. It was like an aphrodisiac. He needed to remove himself from her presence. The need was far too great. As soon as he saw her to her fathers room he parted ways, mumbling some sorry excuse to leave.

"Mmm." He groaned, clamping his mouth shut. He felt himself throb against his trousers. He needed to get himself together. He summoned all the strength he could muster and pushed the desire down, choking out the flame. In one deep release, smoke billowed out from his mouth and he slumped into the tufted chair at his desk.

"Enter." He spoke, hearing Niels' arrival at his door on the other side.

Niel stepped into his study, holding a platter of food in his hand. He paused and looked around the study, at the slash marks in the tapestry and the mess on the floor that Sébastien had made before narrowing his eyes at him.

Sébastien back was turned to him and he let out a grand sigh. "Don't look at me like that."

Niel let out a low whistle and strode over to him, placing the food on the desk before clamping a hand down on Sébastien's exposed shoulder. The butler eyed the torn shirt and tsked.

"What would you have had me do then? Sink my claws into her bosom?" Sébastien, snarled.

He hated himself for saying that even when the primal, beastly part of him shivered with sensual delight.

Niel shook his head defeatedly.

"You know I can't control it. I was this close to taking her right on the banister. Gods!" He pushed his face into his palms, groaning miserably. "Curse this body. Curse the crooked witch who put the damn curse on me. On all of you." He struggled to keep himself together.

Neil shifted and pulled out a piece of parchment and quill and ink from the drawer of the desk and set about writing something. He slid the parchment across the desk to Sébastien.

Sébastien lifted his face and read the loose handwriting.

Send them home.

"Her father isn't well enough to travel. You know that." He gave him a pointed look.

Neil furrowed his bushy mustache and scratched another line down.

Then send her home.

Sébastien growled. "Do you not think I want to? The damn girl won't leave her fathers side. What am I to do?"

Niel jotted down another line.

Then you leave.

Sébastien's eyes flicked up at the butler. Niels wain eyes were set with seriousness.

"You know I can't leave." Sebastian grumbled. He felt the rage start to ripple again.

Niel wrote.

Stay in the watchtower. For her safety.

The watchtower lingered in the corner of the castle's outer walls. Far from the castle, it stood unmanned and in questionable condition, but it was a necessary safety precaution Sébastien knew he had to take. He nodded in agreement and Niel gave him a pat on the back. The butler strode to the small chest against the wall and pulled out a dark blue shirt, tossing it his way.

"Thank you." Sébastien only needed to get through today and hopefully Colette's father was well enough to make the trek back to their town tomorrow. He feared not even the stone tower could keep him from her.