Page 25 of Slay King

I didn’t understand what they were talking about, so I sat back and finished off the pizza, then picked up my water and slowly drank it while the two of them went back and forth about horses and odds.

By the time the sports show they were watching ended, they’d eaten most of the pizza, and Sebastian had refilled my water. I realized, at some point, I had relaxed. I felt comfortable and as if I belonged. Even if I had no idea what they were talking about.

“The sun is setting,” Sebastian said, standing up. “Come with me. I want to show you something.”

“Okay,” I replied, setting my glass back on the table and standing up.

“You think that’s smart?” Storm asked.

Sebastian rolled his eyes. “It’s a fucking sunset.”

The look in Storm’s eyes said he didn’t agree.

“Ignore him. But we need to hurry before we miss it,” Sebastian told me.

I gave him a small nod and then followed him from the room, down toward the main entrance, and outside. The evening breeze was cool, and I wrapped my arms around my chest. Sebastian saw me and frowned.

“Wait here,” he said and jogged back into the stables.

I liked seeing the sunset, and from what was said inside, I thought that he must be taking me to see a great view of it. However, I was chilly, and I didn’t want to stand out here in this longer than necessary.

Sebastian emerged from the stables then, carrying a hoodie. “Here,” he said, coming up to me. “Wear this.”

Grateful for some warmth, I took it and pulled it on over my tank top. “Thank you,” I said.

“No problem. Now, come this way.”

I followed him around the left side of the stables, then between two of the buildings. There was a ladder connected to the structure that looked as if it went to the roof.

“You first. I’ll go behind you in case you slip,” he said.

I wasn’t crazy about heights, but I wasn’t scared of them. I thought for a moment, then figured I might as well go on through with this. He’d brought me out here, and it would be rude to refuse to see it.

On the way up, I didn’t look down or think about how many feet I was from the ground below. At least I wasn’t cold. When I made it to the top, I paused.

“It’s okay. I promise,” Sebastian told me.

I’d gotten this far. I went ahead and climbed onto the roof and walked far enough back so that Sebastian could join me.

He came up beside me and then touched my arm. “Look,” he said, pointing to his right.

I turned, and my breath caught in my throat. It was stunning. There were no trees or buildings blocking the view, and with the mountain in the distance, it looked like a painting.

“It’s beautiful,” I said.

“Right? I love to see it from up here.”

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d enjoyed a sunset. Much less one like this. I tucked my hands into the front pockets of the hoodie I was wearing, and we stood there in silence, watching nature’s beauty. There was no need for words, and it felt as if talking would be almost irreverent. A show this spectacular deserved one’s complete attention.

Seeing something like this reminded me of King. I wanted to watch this with him. But he wasn’t here. He was at a party with Scotlin May. My mood began to sour, and I tried very hard to push that thought away.

Had he ever stood here and seen this? I wanted to ask Sebastian, but I decided that remaining silent was best.

Storm was still in the lounge room when we returned. He was standing at the bar, pouring a glass of whiskey. His eyes met mine, and he gave me a tight smile.

Had I done something wrong?

“I’m about to head to the club. You going?” Storm asked, shifting his gaze to Sebastian.

---