Page 33 of Changeling
I fail to hold in a cry of delight but do manage to refrain from jumping up and clapping my hands. Small victories.
CHAPTER9
Dominus
An odd stirringof emotion crowds my thoughts as Sebastian and I head to the river. Shock at myself for agreeing to this outing. A need to protect the smaller, younger man who seems to be in danger. And faerie or no, he cajoles me into a blooming affection I can’t quite shove into oblivion no matter how hard I try.
Not that I tried very hard.
I fell into bed with him easily enough, my desire for him only matched by my need to chase away the sad shadows in his eyes. His natural instinct to submit to me only fuels my craving. So pretty beneath me, writhing and begging, and so delicious in his pleasure he was, I couldn’t resist filling my belly with his ardor.
It’s been an age since I’ve savored a meal like the one Sebastian provided with such unbridled enthusiasm. Already, I want more.
But that way lies madness. Sebastian isn’t mine to possess. He’s leaving soon. And he’s a faerie, enemy of my kind, whether he knows it or not. This thing between us can’t continue.
Except here I am, taking him fishing. I don’t even know how to fish, but how hard can it be?
When Leonas finds out, he’s going to give me hell for this.
“This way.” Sebastian guides us toward the docks. “I have money. We can borrow poles and purchase bait.”
I follow, scanning the landings. The scent of fish is strong this close to the Danube and not exactly pleasant. Dead fish, bloodied fish, rotten fish…unappetizing, to say the least.
But the breeze of cool evening air keeps the stench from being overwhelming. The water flows calmly south, a peaceful reminder of nature’s power. And my companion’s cheerful disposition as he chats with a fisherman keeps me entertained. He’s thrilled to have found another who speaks Greek.
Soon he has two poles in one hand, a bucket of devil knows what in the other, and a radiant smile on his face just for me.
I’m doomed.
“Here.” Sebastian hands me a pole. It’s a foreign weight in my grip.
“Thanks,” I mutter. “Where to?”
“I was thinking we could head north up the riverbank until we find a spot we like. Perhaps out of the city?”
I gesture for him to lead the way. “After you.”
His grin is a shiny thing that could have come straight from a storybook. As if he could persuade even the setting sun to pause and wait until he’s through with her light.
The walk is pleasant. I must admit it’s lovely to be outside under the open sky. Perhaps I don’t get out enough anymore. I used to, but lately, running The Twig is my sole focus. Annais will be in charge tonight, and though he has my complete confidence, to be away from my business is a peculiar feeling. But also a relief.
Sebastian is wearing the same clothes I first met him in. Close-fitting black pants that show off his shapely lean thighs and the two perfect globes of his ass. A loose cotton shirt, moss green, with untied laces trailing at his collarbone and dangling from both wrists. He’s hopelessly messy, which should annoy me, as I always tie my own laces neatly, but on him, it’s fitting. Charming even.
With a shake of my head, I force the threateningly besotted thoughts aside and focus on my footing. As cobbled path gives way to natural riverbank, it becomes necessary to watch for rocks and sticks along the increasingly narrow dirt path rather than stare at Sebastian’s perky bottom.
“Do you know where you’re going?” I ask.
“Does it matter?” He chuckles, a fluttering light sound that’s near to musical. Damn him. “It’s not like we can get lost. River to our left on the way there, river to our right on the way back.”
The way he points out the obvious should sound arrogant, but it’s only cute when he does it. I huff my annoyance to the wind, which cares not for my petty grievances.
Before long, we arrive at a grassy patch of gently sloping bank, and Sebastian draws to a halt. “Perfect.”
I have to stop myself from agreeing out loud.
It really is perfect. A beautiful spot. The fishy smell is long gone, leaving the fresh fragrance of dirt and nearby pines. The sky is bright with the long rays of the sinking sun, lit in pinks, oranges, and sapphire blue. Each blade of green grass shines with dewdrops, downright magical.
Of course Sebastian would find a place like this only a short walk from the city streets.
