Page 10 of The Cursed Sebastian Storm

“Oh my god, James.” Eli flung himself at his brother and hugged him.

Sebastian had the uncomfortable sensation of watching from the outside, knowing he’d never be let in. He’d never have a family bond like the Gray brothers. His own mother had sacrificed him to save her firstborn, and his sister had always been unconcerned with the vast difference in how the two of them were treated.

Eli released James and turned to Sebastian. Before Sebastian knew what was happening, Eli was wrapped around him, squeezing the air out of him. “I can’t believe you were stuck out there all this time.” He gave Sebastian one final squeeze and stepped back like he was reluctant to let go.

“Oh.” Sebastian had no idea how to respond.

Eli’s eyes shone with unshed tears. “I’m so sorry.”

“Why? You didn’t trap me?”

“No,” Parker cut in, putting an arm around Eli. “But we never questioned you being out there. I knew your uncle used to get stuff delivered from the diner and never came into town. I should have thought it was unusual that you were exactly the same. I should have questioned it.”

Sebastian squirmed. He shot a helpless look at James, not knowing what to say. He knew most people in Moonlight Falls wrote him off as a loner. He’d been angsty as a kid and had acted out to get attention. It was typical behavior, given he’d experienced a lot of neglect growing up. But people didn’t necessarily know that. They’d never liked him, and his childhood antics had obviously fed into the belief he was someone who’d shut himself away.

He didn’t know how to take Parker’s apology. There was nothing to apologize for. Even the few people who’d known what had been behind his childhood behavior hadn’t seen past the curse.

“The secret was more tightly bound before now,” he explained. “Even if you’d questioned me, asked why I didn’t come into town, or asked why my uncle was the same, I would have lied. James asked, and I acted exactly like a recluse would and pushed him away. There was no way anyone would have been able to guess I didn’t want to be at Storm House when I was forced to say I wanted to be there.”

“But James did guess,” Parker pointed out.

Even though Parker didn’t know it, his words were a painful reminder of how much of a miracle it was that James had figured any of this out. Sebastian couldn’t stop from reaching for James, who reflexively pulled him close.

Sebastian was positive no one but James would have figured out what was happening at Storm House. No one cared like James. Nobody else would have looked past Sebastian’s confusing—secret-binding induced—behavior and been patient with him or tried to understand him.

Without James, Sebastian would have nothing. He owned him more than he could ever repay, but he needed to start trying.

CHAPTER FOUR

The next morning, Sebastian woke up feeling groggy.

“I should get ready for work,” James said from beside him in bed.

Sebastian forced his eyes to remain open. “Hmm?”

“You know, work.” James stretched and stood with a sigh before opening the curtains, letting in the meager sunlight. “I’ll go feed the chickens first. Then, I need to talk to Hazel and explain everything. I’ll bring The Magical Tales.”

Sebastian rubbed his eyes, trying to get his brain to absorb what James was talking about. “You shouldn’t need the books.”

James stopped on the way to the bathroom. “You think? Even after last time?”

Sebastian shook off his haziness. “The curse and the secret-binding are linked. That’s how you got trapped, but now that we’ve escaped and the curse can’t reach us, I doubt the secret can rebind itself. We’ve broken the feedback loop as well as the silencing spell this time.”

“True.” James rubbed his chin. He seemed satisfied with the logic. “Will you be all right here today? While I’m gone.”

James asked the question without any judgment. Sebastian had no doubt he would rearrange his day if Sebastian admitted he didn’t want to be alone. “I’ll be fine,” he lied, giving his best exasperated look.

“Great. And hey, feel free to go back to sleep. Have a relaxing day. You deserve it.” James gave him an affectionate grin before disappearing into the bathroom.

Sebastian sank back into bed. He hadn’t considered what he’d do while James was at work. It’s not like he thought he’d go to the electrical shop with James. It wasn’t normal for them to spend every second together, and feeling abandoned because he had to spend the day alone wasn’t healthy, but it was exactly how he felt.

What was he supposed to do with himself? He didn’t have a job. He had no friends. Reflexively, Sebastian’s mind started running through all the chores he had to do at Storm House. He’d put off the laundry and needed to make the last batch of apricot jam. It was time to bake more bread. The garden always needed weeding, and he hadn’t been clipping the newspapers while James was there.

He shook himself. He didn’t have to do any of that anymore. He could throw his clothes in a washing machine and buy bread at the General Store in town. Hell, he could buy pumpkins and tomatoes and not have to grow his own. He never had to weed anything ever again if he didn’t want, and he’d probably never look at a physical newspaper again.

Sebastian thought it would be a relief. Living at Storm House took so much work, and he’d begrudged almost all of it. But having nothing meaningful to do left him empty. He didn’t know if he wanted to buy bread. What if it wasn’t as good as his? He loved that first fresh slice when the loaf was still warm. It was more than worth the effort.

Tears prickled Sebastian’s eyes. He wiped them away in frustration. Was he missing Storm House? That was fucking ridiculous. He never wanted to see the cursed place again.

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