Page 36 of Changeling
With a grin, he gently places the squirming fish in the water and watches as it frantically swims off.
I’m still laughing when he turns back to me, his cheeks flaming red but a happy expression on his face.
“Who knew fishing was so brutal?” The sheepish expression is back, though it’s mixed with mirth.
“The fish,” I answer as he leans into my space. I grant him the embrace he seeks, albeit cautiously. His head lands against my chest, and he snuggles in with a nuzzling movement I could definitely get used to.
“Thank you,” he whispers, the words as quiet as the soft ripples of a fish’s fin.
I pat his back awkwardly. I just can’t let myself sink into him the way he’s done to me, though I won’t deny I want to. A part of me is still fighting this. As it should. This is a faerie in my arms after all, not a normal man.
“Think nothing of it.”
CHAPTER10
Sebastian
After freeingthe worms in the dirt by the river and returning our unused poles to the amused fisherman at the dock, I suggest we fetch dinner from the market, to which Dominus agrees. It’s dark now, the sun having drifted over the horizon sometime on our walk back to town. Stars twinkle overhead from an inky-black moonless sky.
Really, I just don’t want to give him up yet. Once we’re back at The Twig, he’ll insist I hide away while he goes to work, whatever that entails. But I want him all to myself for as long as he’ll have me. I want to be his friend. Well, I want far more than that, but friendship would be an excellent beginning.
I’m still reeling with the shock of successfully using my magic, though I couldn’t follow through with my plan to cook the squirmy creature. It wasn’t even difficult. I asked the water to deliver a fish, and the water obeyed. Will I be able to do it again? Could I learn to do more? The world seems so full of possibility tonight excitement tingles in my chest.
Relishing the sturdy presence of Dominus at my side—even in his human form, he’s dreadfully handsome—I yearn to grab his hand, but he’s difficult to read. Would he welcome the gesture or shun it? I don’t want to risk rejection when we’re having such a wonderful evening.
The market is bustling as people finish the day’s work and congregate at vendor stalls and pubs. The scent of roasting meat wafts to my nose. Perhaps Dominus would like the same lamb-on-a-stick cart that Leonas suggested.
As I turn to him, an odd purple veil shimmers between us, and an invisible vise clamps my entire body in a tight hold. I yelp, then gasp in air. My scream freezes in my throat.
Dominus whips his head toward me. “Sebastian?”
I can’t move my legs! I mouth his name, fear rising to a crescendo, panic clutching my chest.
He’s stretching out his hand, but I’m sucked through a vortex. The last thing I see is his horrified expression as the unnatural purple light snaps closed.
The vise lifts, and I crumple to the ground. Instead of city cobbles beneath my feet, I encounter only dirt and stone.
Where am I?
My scream never comes.
* * *
Dominus
“Sebastian!”
My yell turns heads in the crowd, but it’s hopeless. Sebastian is already gone. A sinking boulder lodges in the pit of my stomach. My nerves erupt with useless, anxious energy.
Though it’s been decades since I’ve witnessed a portal, I know what it was. That sizzling purple trap could lead anywhere. My heart thuds against my ribcage as if pounding to get free and chase after Sebastian itself. The urge to stride around, calling his name threatens my will, but I mustn’t give in to useless antics.
Dozens of eyes watch me. While only the people closest to me witnessed the portal, they all must have heard my scream. I need to get to Leonas. He’s the only one I can think of who might be able to help.
A man steps forward, his wide brown eyes gentle and full of concern. He puts his hand on my arm. “Are you well?”
Gathering my wits, I force my body to cooperate with my mind.
No. I’m definitely not well. But I nod to him, then shoulder my way out of the crowd and break into a run for The Twig.
