Page 58 of Changeling
How is he so irritating every time he speaks? “Where do you find a cow with no legs?”
Gnarl tilts his head. “Where?”
“Right where you left it.”
He purses his lips. “Ominous Dominus, that was abominus.”
“?Abominus' isn’t a word. Where is my letter?”
He retrieves an envelope from within the bushel of leaves around his waist and hands it over. I yank it from his fingertips before he can change his mind.
“Send the panther next time. Leonas appreciates a good rhyme.”
“Noted. Gladly.” I stomp away, letter in hand. If Gnarl has more riddles, I don’t want to hear them, especially when this envelope might contain word from Sebastian.
Once I’m far enough from Gnarl he won’t be able to eavesdrop, but not yet back to the bustling streets of Buda, I find a log to sit on. I can’t wait a second longer.
Sniffing the envelope as I open it, I hope for a whiff of Sebastian, knowing there won’t be one. Perhaps Leonas could detect a scent so faint, but I can’t.
I unfold the letter and skip straight to the bottom.
Sincerely,
Sebastian.
Hope soars.So it is from him after all! I start again from the top.
Dear Dominus,
My first letterfrom Bran Vigny and it’s to you. But of course it is, as I have no one else to write. Though perhaps Rizpah and Leonas would also like to know I’ve settled in safe and sound.
The castle is lovely. Huge. Enormous. But lovely. My room is comfortable,butI have a nice view of the courtyard and gardens, though the latter is on its last legs for the season.
I will explore the library here soon. There’s so much I want to learn. I have many goals.
I think of you often. Thank you for your kindness. I won’t forget.
All the best.
Sincerely,
Sebastian
My heart sinks.His letter is so…distant.
Ah, well, it’s just as I thought. Sebastian is happy with The Dozen. I’m glad I didn’t burden him with the weight of my feelings in my letter. I do wonder why he scribbled out "but,” and what he’d planned on saying after.But…not as nice as at The Twig,maybe? Wishful thinking on my part, I’m sure.
I fold the letter, telling myself I’m happy for him. It’s the truth, but it’s not the entire truth.
If only I could travel, but his ancestors cursed mine, and now I’m stuck here in Hungary. There’s nothing for me to do but go home and try to forget.
CHAPTER16
Sebastian
Seated at my desk,books strewn haphazardly across the surface, I stare at Dominus’s letter, holding back tears. Again.
He thought the amber would complement my eyes! He noticed my eyes!
