Page 20 of Changeling
He rolls his eyes, but he’s sort of smiling a little. I’m not sure what to make of it. “No reason. You ask too many questions.”
I throw my hands up in defeat. “And your answer rate is hovering at one in three, so we’re both left unsatisfied.”
Dominus has the gall to chuckle. “That we are, Sebastian. Finally, something we agree on.”
Baffled, this time when Dominus turns to leave, I don’t try to stop him. I lean against the door frame and watch him go. A heavy sigh escapes my lips. Such a lovely view.
CHAPTER6
Dominus
Rizpah catchesme by the elbow and says, “This is for Sebastian. Would you take it to him?”
We’re in the parlor, me unclipping the velvet curtains to be taken outside and beaten, her pestering me.
I nod in the direction of Sebastian’s room. “Whatever it is”—I glance at the parcel wrapped in brown paper she’s trying to hand over —“you can bring it to him.”
Rizpah gives me a frosty glare.
“What?” I resist the urge to step out of her strike zone.
“Dominus Drusus of Pest—”
Uh-oh. My full name. Now I’m in trouble.
“—I askedyouto take this to Sebastian.” Her glare turns from fierce to friendly. “Please.”
I know what she’s doing, but I haven’t the heart to tell her that playing matchmaker between Sebastian and me is doomed to fail.
She shoves the package at my chest, so I leave the curtains for later and clutch it. “Of course I’ll bring this to him. No problem.”
“There’s a good boy.” Rizpah pats my cheek. She glides off to whatever is more important than delivering this herself.
A sigh works its way from deep within my lungs. The parcel is light and mushy in my hands. Fabric? Has she given him a tablecloth?
Best get this over with. Sebastian’s been here four nights, and no matter how I try, I can’t seem to avoid him. Rizpah’s games aren’t helping.
Not wanting to see him isn’t the problem. Quite the opposite. Whatever ill-fated lure that keeps drawing me to his door can go to the devil. I should have nothing to do with the faerie.
My feet are iron weights dragging down the hall. As I lift my hand to knock, the door swings open. I freeze, hand awkwardly hanging in the air, and stare.
He’s got such a beautiful face, oval shaped with high cheekbones that turn pink when he sees me. Clever caramel-brown eyes meet mine.
He blinks. “Dominus? Can I help you?”
I thrust the package at him dumbly, cursing Rizpah for this uncomfortable exchange. “For you.”
He takes the parcel as if it’s been dipped in poison. “Thank you?”
“Not me. Rizpah. She asked me to bring it to you.”
His shoulders lose their tension, which I might find amusing if it wasn’t also mildly insulting.
“Oh. What is it?”
I cross my arms over my chest. “How should I know?”
He huffs. “You don’t have to be rude.”
