Page 78 of Changeling
I roll my neck and assess my body. Do I feel different? Not really. No. I’m not so sure it’s worked, but if both Sebastian and Remigius think so, maybe it has.
When Sebastian opens his eyes again, he looks refreshed. I help him to sit up.
“What was it like?” asks Remigius.
“Difficult.” Sebastian pulls my arm around his waist and leans in. I relish the weight of him against my side. “It’s not as if I thought it would be easy, but when I realized how hopelessly knotted the curse was with Dominus’s magic, I thought it would be too much. In the end, I’d just been going about it wrong.”
“I saw. It was amazing. Instead of dispelling the curse, you claimed it as your own, recycled, and remade harmless. I’m not sure I’d have thought of that. Very clever.”
“Sure, you’d have thought of it,” says Laurence, his affectionate gaze turned solely on Remigius.
How does their magic work, the two of them together? Something they did aided Sebastian, and for that, I’ll always be grateful.
“What are we waiting for?” Sebastian’s voice takes on a hint of excitement. “Let’s see if it worked!”
Remigius stands and knocks the dirt from his pants. Laurence rises next to him.
I tense and remain in my spot. It seems I’ve been left out of this part of the plan. “Wait, but how? And what happens if it didn’t?”
Sebastian grins. “Remy and Laurence have witches at Bran Vigny awaiting their call. They will help create the portal. Either you’ll be able to cross through it, or you won’t, but at least we’ll know. And I have a good feeling about this.”
My chest clenches. Just because I wanted the curse broken doesn’t mean I’m ready to leave Pest. My business is here. My friends. Family. Panic returns. “But that’s too far. I haven’t told Leonas. Is this what you want? To go back?” I study his face carefully, my heart fragile. I don’t want to lose him.
Sebastian grabs both my hands and squeezes. “Dominus, I want only to be with you. And if the curse is broken, all the better. That will mean the process could be replicated for other incubi. I’m not suggesting we stay at Bran Vigny, only that we cross, then return. Understand? We have the rest of our lives to decide what comes after.”
Relief is sweet, but the panic isn’t totally gone. I’ve never been through a portal, never even thought it would be a possibility for me. The concept is frightening. But…if I’m really free? Well, I want to know.
“All right.” The two words take all of my courage to say. We stand with the others, and Remigius conjures away the blanket.
“Are you certain you want to stay behind?” Laurence asks us both but really Sebastian.
“Absolutely. Thank you both for everything, but my home is with Dominus.”
Laurence gives a nod as if he already expected as much. “You’re always welcome at Bran Vigny, but next time, you’ll have to arrive by foot. Remy isn’t a hackney for hire.”
Remigius elbows the bigger man in the ribs playfully. “Don’t deny services on my behalf. The only way to get better at portaling is to practice. My mentor always made it look so easy,” he huffs and directs his attention to Sebastian. “Do you really think what you’ve accomplished can be replicated? Not every incubus is so lucky as to have his own faerie madly in love with him.”
Sebastian chuckles. “I don’t think my love is required now that I know how it works, only my full effort. I certainly can’t do it again anytime soon, but I do think it’s possible. Perhaps Annais will make a good test subject.” He flicks a glance at me, which only reminds me that none of my den know his true heritage. Another bridge we’ve yet to cross, but I’m confident it’s surmountable.
“I was thinking you could teach Sachi,” says Remigius. “She’s always looking for something to do, and she has incubi friends in Egypt who’d probably love to see the world.”
“I would be honored to show her. It’s the least I could do after all she’s done for me.”
“I’ll let her know and send her this way when next I see her. Granted, that could be days, weeks, years?” Remigius shrugs. “She’s a leaf in the wind, that one.”
They’re all discussing this as if they know it’s worked already, which should bolster my confidence but only serves to increase my desire to know for sure, even if that does mean voyaging through a portal. I’ll be glad when it’s over at least.
Sebastian drops my hand and takes Remigius’s, and the two embrace. “Thank you for everything. You’ve been so kind to me.”
Remigius plants a kiss on his cheek—I hold in a possessive growl, unusual for me, but here we are—and nudges him to Laurence.
Laurence hugs him next. “You know where to send word if you need us.” His glowing silver eyes land on me. “You too, Dominus. We’re only a message away.”
“Thank you.” I appreciate the sentiment, but oddly, all I want to do is see if it worked, then take Sebastian home to The Twig. After a life lived under a curse, I should want to explore, but it’s the familiar I’m craving now.
“This is how it will work,” Remigius says. “I’ll call to the witches at Bran Vigny, and when they respond they’re ready, Laurence and I will cast the portal. It will appear there.” He motions to the riverbank between the water’s edge and the tree line. “They’re expecting our little experiment, so you and Sebastian may cross first. Say hello if you like, but don’t stay long, then come back. We can only keep the portal open for a few minutes. When you’ve safely returned here, Laurence will go through, and then I. Any questions?”
It seems clear enough. I shake my head.
