Page 53 of Reflections of Silence

Sebastian frowned down at me, tugging me forward. “It’s getting cool, and I won’t have you dying of some sickness.”

“Cool is relative.” I slapped at a gnat buzzing about my head. “Stop avoiding answering me.”

“Demanding little thing, aren’t you?” He kissed the top of my head and sighed. “It’s as good a title—name—as any for her. She uses dark magic, but she comes from a dark period of history, and so it suits her.”

Some echo of admiration shadowed that remark. I managed to stop myself from hitting him again. Just.

“How do we combat someone, something like her?” I whispered.

His jaw set in a hard line. “I know her quite well.”

I remembered Granny Smythe had said as much, back in the heart of the bayou. Something uncomfortable wriggled in my gut, sending a wave of nausea through me. I did my best to ignore my fear. “So, this is a jilted lover’s affair, then?” I said lightly.

Sebastian snorted. “It might come under something a little more than that.”

Like obsession?

“Did you love her?” I asked. All levity deserted me as a thought wound its way around my heart. “Do you still?” My whisper was lost in the rustle of the bayou as evening creatures began their nighttime activities.

“I might have convinced myself of that, once. But, no. I didn’t love her, and now there is room for one alone inside what wasonce a heart.” He halted, turning me to face him. Cool fingers caught my chin, tipping my head back. “It’s you, Gella.”

His mouth closed over mine, his kiss soft and sweet.

It’s always been you.

I sank into him, winding my arms around his neck. His scent enveloped me, drawing me deeper as I let him kiss my fears away.

Perhaps that was a mistake.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

GISELLA

Minette waited at the doorway where we arrived at the house, her eyes following Dolion’s loping gait as he disappeared into the garden as she addressed us.

“Madame, I can draw you a bath?—”

That was as far as she got before Sebastian waved her away.

“I’ll take care of Gisella myself, Minette.” He fixed her with a steady eye when she looked like she might object. “Take the night off. Charleton, see that she takes some time to herself. You behaved admirably today.” A flush crept up my maid’s cheeks, no doubt remembering her outburst toward him.

“Please, can you send up some food?” I called as Sebastian grasped my hand, towing me up the stairs and along the hall.

I didn’t get to hear Charleton’s reply before Sebastian led me into a room and closed the door behind us. The door closed with the softthunkof a dual lock. I took two steps inside before I halted.

Blacks and grays decorated most of the surfaces, enhanced with deep blues that formed geometric frames around eachfresco. A mountain scene occupied an entire wall. Small ferns and twisted, stunted trees framed the painting where it overlooked a great dip into a valley, the opposing peaks far distant. The vista was so large I felt as though I might step into it and fall off a mountain ledge to disappear into the mist below.

Where is this?”

“Japan.”

“Oh. But…this isn’t my room.”

It isn’t your room, either.

At least, not the one we woke in together.

“No, it isn’t. Not in the sense you mean.” His lips grazed my nape. Every hair there stood on end at the simple, teasing gesture. He laughed softly. “But it’s what you wanted.”

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