Page 11 of Sacrifice

His brows shot up, and he looked over my shoulder. “Ah. Speaking of Rose…”

“Oh, sorry, Papa. I didn’t realize you were having a meeting! I would’ve stayed downstairs if I knew.”

Rose’s sweet voice filled my ears, and I turned around to see her standing there, hands smeared with colorful paint. She froze when she saw me, eyes widening in shock. It was a strange echo of our first meeting, right here in this very spot.

As we stared at each other, the air between us turned thick with a cocktail of emotions. Tension, lust, anger, and a chaotic blend of familiarity and intensity, all simmering beneath the surface. I could still feel the phantom touch of her soft fingers on my skin, the taste of her lips, and the heat of her body wrapped around mine.

I rose to my feet and strode toward her. Augustus followed.

“Rose, I was so glad to hear of your safe return,” I said, looking right into her gorgeous eyes.

“Thank you.” She boldly met my gaze head-on. “I heard about your terrible accident. I’m so pleased you survived.”

“It’s two miracles in a row, isn’t it?” Augustus said, patting me on my good shoulder. “Honestly, Sebastian, I’m still shocked that you’re walking around instead of lying in bed. They must’ve taken wonderful care of you at that hospital.”

I nodded. “They did. But I was lucky to have the support of a beautiful woman. She took really good care of me, and I think that was the most important thing for my recovery.”

Rose’s eyes widened, as if she were worried that I was about to give her away.

“You have a lady friend?” Augustus asked. “I had no idea.”

“I haven’t mentioned her before now because it wasn’t all that serious,” I said, glancing at him. “We were just seeing each other every so often. But after I was injured, she rushed to my side and did everything she could to comfort me, and I finally realized how amazing she is. So things between us are official now.”

“That’s wonderful news!” Augustus looked thrilled. “Do you think you’ll marry this woman?”

I looked back at Rose, who was somehow managing to look utterly furious while maintaining a straight face.

“Yeah, I’d love to marry her,” I said. “I’d love to give her about a million babies, too.”

Augustus patted my shoulder again. “Well, she’s a very lucky woman.”

“Nah.” I kept staring at Rose, lips curving into a faint smile. “I’m the lucky one.”

Rose’s cheeks had turned bright pink now. She must’ve felt the hot flush rising in her face, because she suddenly looked down at her paint-smeared hands and cleared her throat. “I feel like I’m overheating. It must be because I was painting for so long,” she said hurriedly. “My hands are aching too.”

I raised a brow. “You should take a break.”

“Yes. I should.” She smiled thinly. “Anyway, what are your plans for today, Sebastian?”

“Yes, I was going to ask you that myself,” Augustus added, eyes narrowing ever-so-slightly. “I see you brought your usual bag.”

“I’m almost finished with my mother’s notes,” I said. “Just a few more days should do it, I think, so I was hoping to stay a couple more nights.”

“Hmm.” He rubbed his jaw, brows dipping in a small frown. “We have a very big ritual coming up in three days, and it is the culmination of centuries of devotion, so the celebrations will last for weeks. We can’t have any outsiders present for that, unfortunately. But I think two days should be fine for you to stay.”

“Great. After I leave, I can take care of that thing for you in town.” I raised my brows, eyes darting toward the table surrounded by village elders. “The thing we discussed earlier.”

Augustus coughed and nodded. “Of course. Much appreciated.”

I looked back at Rose. “Rosamund, you said you need a break. Maybe you could show me the library again? If that’s okay.”

“That’s a nice idea,” Augustus answered for her. “But remember, sweetheart, you said you’d help Anaïs with the food preparation for the festivities later, so you can’t take too long.”

“What festivities are happening later?” I asked, brows furrowing.

“Tonight is our fertility ritual, for couples hoping to conceive. It happens once a month,” Augustus said. “You are welcome to observe that for your notes, if you like.”

“Thanks. That sounds great.” I turned back to Rose. “After we visit the library, I’m happy to help you and the others with the food preparation. It’s a good chance for me to talk to more locals and add to my notes.”

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