Page 72 of Changeling
His cheeks color, and the grin spreads wide. “Maybe not quite yet.” He squirms, shifting his hips. “I can still feel the first one.”
“Was it too much?”
“Oh no. I loved it. You know, I’ve never…well, no one has ever…done that before, but I’ve always wanted to.”
“You mean spanked you?”
“No. I mean, yes, that, but also the rest of it. All of it. Wait, not all of it. It’s not like I was a virgin. I just mean…”
“You mean you enjoy obeying in bed play, and you’ve never had a partner who takes charge the way I do.”
“Exactly, yes. That’s what I mean. It’s like you know what I want before I want it.”
“In some ways, you’re easy to read.” I lay my hand on his chest, his soft exhalation fluttering beneath my palm. “But I still don’t know what upset you earlier, and I’m aware you’ve cleverly steered the conversation from it.”
Sebastian tweaks at my jewelry again. I still his hand. “Stop that. If you don’t want to talk about it, you must say so. It’s important you speak up. Be clear. If we’re to continue on this path, I need to know when there’s something you don’t enjoy.”
“I loved it all, Dominus.” He rolls to his side and faces me. Our legs intertwine. “And I’m sure I would love even more. It wasn’t anything to do with sex that bothered me.”
“Then tell me what did.”
He sighs. “Nothing. You did nothing. It’s just that you said you prefer the real me to a reflection.”
“I don’t understand. Do you want mirrors on the ceiling? That could be arranged.”
Sebastian’s sweet chuckle warms my heart. “I won’t say no, but it’s not that either. I have something more to show you. And I’m afraid you won’t like it.”
Now we’re getting somewhere. “You’ve nothing to fear from me. Ever.” I stroke his soft honeyed hair, pushing it behind his ear. The amber jewel glints even in the candlelight. “You’re precious to me. I want only to keep you happy and safe.”
“Remember that when I show you.” He leans in and presses a kiss to my lips, which I return twofold.
It would be so easy to get lost in kissing him again, to continue our reunion with another round, but I need to know what’s bothering him. “Show me what?”
“I’ve been learning so much about my magic at Bran Vigny,” he says, voice tentative. “How to call the energy, how to direct it, how to control it.”
“You used it in bed.” My lips curl to a smile. “Impressive. Cheating, but impressive.”
“Not cheating,” he teases. “Just being efficient.”
I run my hand down the curve of his spine and settle on his rump. “I will prove to you how enjoyable slow and steady can be, and then you’ll think twice before employing your…efficiency.”
Sebastian presses back into my hand. “I’m willing to be persuaded.”
We’re veering off course. “Show me what you need to show me, Seb. I want to see.”
He swallows, then wriggles free of my embrace, putting some space between us. I resist the urge to haul him back.
He closes his eyes, eyelashes splayed like fans on his cheeks. Twinkling silver and gold dances over his entire body as if stardust swirls around him.
Stars, what’s happening?
Magic, his magic emerges.
Wings appear from the ether, pearlescent and beautiful, lined in black. His skin is radiant, practically glowing with amber flecks, much like the jewels in his ears. His ears! Identical pointed tips have grown at the tops.
I’m still staring when the transformation is complete, letting my gaze sweep over him from head to toe. Full faerie and in my bed. Who would have thought? If he expected me to be repulsed, he’s dead wrong. This is Sebastian next to me. The man I love. I stroke his arm. Will he feel as different as he looks?
He doesn’t. He still feels perfect beneath my questing palm.
