Page 1 of The Heart of Moonlight Falls

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JAMES

James had almost lost everything. His life, though he hadn’t been conscious to realize it, and the man who owned his heart. But he hadn’t lost either. Sebastian was right here, in James’s bed, alive and even more amazing than James had always thought he was.

He had so many questions but held them back and let Sebastian sleep. James didn’t want to bombard him. While Sebastian seemed recovered, James was worried.

No surprise there.

James stroked Sebastian’s hair and Sebastian nuzzled into it. He’d never been more anxious than the four days Sebastian had lain in bed, showing no signs of waking.

Sebastian had saved James against impossible odds and pulled him back from a doomed fate. James was in awe and so proud of Sebastian but also infuriated that Sebastian’s bravery had put him at such great risk.

James knew his irritation was born out of fear that Sebastian could have died, so he tried to let it go. If James hadn’t drained himself so foolishly trying to destroy that shade with fire, he might not have been captured, and Sebastian wouldn’t have had to save him. He’d been so worried about keeping everyone else safe that he’d put himself in danger. It was a miracle he and Sebastian both survived.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered against Sebastian’s hair.

Sebastian stirred. “Why?”

“For making you think you’d lost me.”

Sebastian opened his eyes, ginger lashes fluttering. The brown and green flecks in his hazel irises caught the sunlight. “I got you back though. Didn’t I? By not waking up and making you worry?” Sebastian’s lips twitched.

James shook his head. “This isn’t a joke.” He smiled anyway. Sebastian’s grin was contagious.

Sebastian traced James’s curved lips. “Maybe not, but I don’t want you brooding over it.” He probably didn’t want to dwell on how horrible the whole ordeal was either, and James understood that.

“Come on, let’s shower and tell the others you’ve rejoined the land of the living.”

A short time later, they entered the kitchen, clean and dressed. James sat Sebastian on a stool at the counter with a glass of water and took out one of the many trays of food Parker had stashed in his fridge.

“Lasagna sound good?”

Sebastian nodded.

“Perfect. It’s my favorite.” James heated up two plates full of Parker’s ricotta and spinach lasagna.

Sebastian seemed ravenous, so James fixed him a second helping. He texted Eli and got an almost instant response, in all caps, saying how relieved Eli was and that he was coming home right away.

“Everyone’s coming over, aren’t they?” Sebastian asked around a mouthful of food.

James grabbed Sebastian’s cup to refill it. “Think so.”

Sebastian seemed to brace himself.

“Do you not want them to?”

“No, I do.” Sebastian took the water James handed him. “It’s just… I know the darkness is gone, but this isn’t over.” He looked out the kitchen window into the backyard, deep in thought.

Well, that was foreboding.

“Wait…” Sebastian stood abruptly from his stool like all his problems were forgotten. “Are those my chickens?” He turned to James, smiling, adorable dimples framing his face.

“Parker and Eli brought them over. Figured it would be easier to feed them this way.”

Sebastian laughed. “Wish I’d been awake to see that.”

“I’m sure it was hilarious.” James could imagine his brother chasing down the chickens at Storm House. He’d been too distracted at the time to ask if they’d had much trouble.

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