Page 7 of Changeling
I lean forward, drop elbows to my desk, and sigh. “You know I can’t leave the Kingdom of Hungary, right?”
He gives a slow nod. “Your kind, with very few exceptions, are tied to the land of their birth. I do know that, but I’ve never known why.”
My thoughts drift to the faerie I nearly invited to my bed. Did invite. Thank the stars I learned what he was in time.
“A wicked magic did this to me. To my people. Ancient. From the era of the great pyramids, when pharaohs ruled Egypt. Before all the faeborn vanished back to their realm, a skirmish between our races broke out that led to an all-out war. A war they won. Once they discovered how to curse us, how to bind us to our land like common prisoners, we had no way to fight back. It has been thus ever since.”
Ivaz lets out a long, low whistle. “Well, I’ll be a dirty knave.” He shakes his head. “Apologies, Dominus. I had no idea.”
“Most don’t, as the details are lost to time, but my grandfather is the keeper of our history, and those in my line have been as well informed as possible.”
“Sebastian knows nothing of his people or their history.”
It’s quite unfair to Sebastian, but I can’t make an exception. Faeries are not to be trusted. Even charming, handsome ones with tragic pasts. Especially not them.
“I can ask Beauregard and Andras to look after him while I unpick the twins from the little bind they’re in, but even then, I’d need a few nights to arrange transport. And the village of Varad is backtracking in terms of our final destination.”
“What have the twins done this time?” I swear they’re in trouble more than out of it.
He waves this off. “Nothing I can’t handle. But can you keep Sebastian until Bowie comes to collect him?”
“Ivaz, no. Didn’t you hear what I just said? I despise them.”
“You don’t despise Sebastian.” He narrows his gaze, daring me to deny it.
I choose another tactic. “He isn’t safe here.”
“Of course he is. No one knows Sebastian’s heritage but you. He’s not stupid. If we tell him to keep his mouth shut and lie low, he will.”
“No.”
“Please? For me?”
This is a bad idea. I shouldnotbe considering it. “How long?”
The corner of Ivaz’s lip curls upward.
I snarl at him.
“Sorry, sorry. I don’t know, a week maybe? I’ll need to send word to Varad with a messenger, so that will take a few days. Bowie could travel faster alone, but I doubt he’ll leave Andras behind. If they come straight here, maybe a little longer than a week?”
I resist the urge to curse as I see where he’s going with this. “And you need how long to deal with the twins?”
“Two weeks. Tops. I promise.” Ivaz crosses his heart.
My eyes roll of their own volition. “Fine. Don’t bother Bowie and Andras over this. I’ll keep your wayward faerie safe, but only after you’ve sworn him to my terms. Secrecy and silence. For his own good. I can’t be held liable if he falters.”
Ivaz smiles in triumph. “Consider it done, my friend. Sebastian won’t be any trouble. He’s inquisitive but obedient. The two of you seemed to be in, shall we say, a mutual appreciation of each other before you learned of his ancestry. You might like him, Dominus. If you give him a chance.”
“Absolutely not. That’s where I draw the line. I’d be a fool to pursue a faerie, and you know I’m no fool. He’s off-limits, and you may tell him so. No cavorting with my staff or the guests.”
Ivaz tuts. “You ruin your fun, but all right. I’ll be perfectly clear.”
I rise from my seat and offer my hand.
Ivaz takes it and tugs me into an embrace. He pats my back, then lets me go.“Thank you, Dominus. I owe you one.”
“You owe me at least ten, Ivaz.”
