Page 68 of Changeling
I should feed tonight, though I don’t look forward to it. The wisps of pleasure and ardor that snake around the halls each evening don’t fill me as they used to. Not since Sebastian.
The gates to the walled city stand wide, leaving me grateful for times of peace. The streets still bustle with life as I pass through, mostly ignoring the other inhabitants for the sake of my destination. I’m eager to be home, even if all I have to do is keep Rizpah company in the kitchen.
As I head down the steps, I pull off my gloves. Leonas’s post is vacant. That’s odd. Otherwise, nothing seems amiss, so I don’t worry. It’s early yet for customers, though they’ll arrive any minute.
The door opens for me, as usual, but Annais isn’t there to greet me. What’s going on?
Danya strolls into the first parlor, sees me, and claps her hands with excitement. “Here he is now!”
Have they been waiting on me for something? “What are you talking about?”
Curiosity piqued, I make for The Twig’s parlor, where, of all people, the man I least expected but most wanted to see comes into view.
Sebastian turns in Rizpah’s embrace, his eyes lit up like fireflies in the summertime. She releases him, and he runs to me.
My jaw drops, and so does my basket of eggs as I open my arms to catch him. He thumps against my chest with enough force to knock a gasp from my throat, arms clutching my waist.
“I missed you too.” His muffled but enthusiastic voice is music to my ears.
I hold him tight, inhaling great gulps of his sweet scent. Though my tongue can form no words, my mind creates many.Sebastian. Missed you. Need you. Love you. You’re here.
He tips his head up, whether to look me over or request a kiss, I don’t know because my mouth is drawn to his like the current flows downstream. Our lips meet, and even this simple pleasure is enough to wake the hungry demon.More, it says. And for once, I agree.
I’m eager to devour every part of him, to get reacquainted with him one delicate piece at a time, but we have an audience. Sebastian might be ignoring them all now, but I doubt he’d appreciate me continuing much further with everyone watching.
I cup his cheeks in my hands and draw back. His shining amber eyes have grown watery. He wears the jewels I sent in his ears and around his neck. They look just as I’d imagined, a lovely complement to his effortless beauty.
“Sebastian.” My voice comes out breathy. I feel light. I feel grateful. “You came. And so fast. How?”
His grin fills my heart with joy. “Remy convinced Laurence to allow a portal.”
“But I thought that was dangerous.”
“It’s complicated. There’s no one on this end to help, but Laurence came along to watch over him.” Sebastian casts a glance over his shoulder, and I follow his gaze. They’re both here in my brothel—two vampires. Remy, I remember, but the other I’ve never met, though all have heard of Laurence, the youngest vampire ever to lead the illustrious Dozen. They stand side by side, smiling as if they’re sharing in our happiness. I nod to them, but I don’t want to let Sebastian go for even a second now that he’s in my arms.
I want to be alone with him, and if the look on his face is anything to go by, he feels the same way.
“I’ve said my hellos,” he murmurs, voice hushed.
I understand the words unspoken and glance at Annais. “You’ll take good care of our guests?”
He bows his head gracefully. “Of course. And the mess you’ve made as well.” He scrunches up his nose at the basket of broken eggs. I give him a sheepish grin in apology. “Off with you both. We’ve got everything covered from here.”
My gaze passes over Leonas, grinning merrily, Rizpah, whose face says “I told you so,” our vampire guests, who are clearly so into each other they won’t require any company, and the others, all happy to see me happy. My chest blooms with warmth.
It’s everything I can do to allow Sebastian to walk on his own two feet as I gesture down the hall. I want to scoop him up, throw him over my shoulder, and run away together. Instead, I follow close on his heels toward my rooms.
He stops at the door of his old room. “Here?”
I take his elbow and lead him farther. “To my suite this time, like I’ve wanted ever since the night we met.”
His cheeks flush just as I remember. Perhaps even prettier. How can he be here? I will have to thank Remy tomorrow. And Laurence. And Ivaz, wherever he is.
But for now, I must have Sebastian all to myself.
CHAPTER20
Sebastian
