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.Chapter Twenty-SixSebastian always loved the fieldwith the tall grass just past the BlackWoods.He d come here to think or justto sit on the ground with the whisperinggrass and soak up the warm sunlight withnothing on his mind but the lazy day.He was there now among the goldenreeds, chewing on the end of one.Thesun felt glorious on his skin and he liftedhis face to it.He d been feeling so coldand lost lately that sitting here on thisbeautiful day made him happy.Maybe hewouldn t have to leave.Who would careif he spent the rest of his days here?There was movement nearby.Heshielded his eyes to see the two figureswalking toward him.He recognized thewoman first.Mrs.Stratton was payinghim a visit.She had a man with her, atall one.At first he couldn t identify himbut when the sun hit his face heremembered those eyes.It was hisbrother Rhys.Mrs.Stratton stopped a few feetaway but Rhys kept coming.He settleddown on the ground next to him. Hello, Sebastian.He smiled at his brother. Hello,Rhys.What are you doing here? Came to see if you wanted to comehome now.Sebastian turned his head and staredacross the expansive golden field. I likeit here.For the first time in my life Idon t feel burdened. That may be, but we need you tocome home.He looked back at his brother. Idon t want to rule, Rhys.I m the lastman who should have that kind ofresponsibility.There will be a lot ofpeople relying on me and I fear I ll failthem.Rhys set his hand on his shoulder. You re a wise, loyal andcompassionate man, Sebastian.You llbe a great leader.Better than Father, Isuspect. Is he still alive? Yes, and waiting for you.He wantsnothing more in this world right nowthan to see you.Everyone who loves youis waiting for you to come home. Drea? Did she come through theportal?Rhys nodded. Yes, especiallyDrea.Sebastian ran his fingers through thegrass, setting the blades to sway.He wasgoing to miss this place.But it was timefor him to finally go home where he trulybelonged.He stood, Rhys as well.He wavedto Mrs.Stratton, who waved back. Let s go home.Sebastian opened his eyes, blinkingagainst the light streaming in through thewindow.The scent of lilies filled hisnose, and he knew he was back inDavenport Manor.Lilies had been hismother s favorite flower and thegardener grew them in the hothouse.Every day Harrison, the loyal Davenportbutler, cut them and placed them in everyroom of the house.There was a vase of them on thetable beside his bed, in his old room.The curtain was pulled back on thecanopy so he could see the room and thewindow, which was open.A warmbreeze blew in, setting the curtains toflutter.The overwhelming sensation ofbeing home nearly crushed his alreadyaching chest.Lifting the covers, he saw that hewas bandaged up tight around the chest.The fingers on his right hand were tapedup as well.Testing the rest of his limbs,he realized his left leg was in a splint.He was obviously in rough shape.Butalive.Careful not to pull something,Sebastian pushed himself up.Heshuffled to the edge of the bed and satup, setting his feet on the cold floor.There was a throb in his side and in hisleg, but no major pain.Someone must vegiven him some intense pain medicine.He smacked his lips, tasting a familiarflavor in his mouth.After he caught his breath, he pushedto his feet.He had to grasp the bedpostto steady himself.Once up though, henoticed a walking stick propped up nextto the bed.It was his old one frombefore.He d left it in his apartment inLondon.He took it now and hobbled out ofhis room.He walked down the hall,pausing every now and then to catch hisbreath.The door of his father s roomswas ajar.The scent of cigar smokewafted to his nose.That made him smile.He went inside.Blake sat up in his bed, pillowspropping him up, blowing smoke ringsup into the air.When he saw Sebastianin the doorway, he set his cigar in theashtray and smiled. There s my son.Come home at last.He limped across the room and saton the bed beside his father andembraced him. I m sorry. Whatever for? For not being here. Son, the cancer would ve gotten meif you d been here or not, Blake said,squeezing his shoulder so he could lookSebastian in the eyes. You had yourown demons to slay.Sebastian nodded. And did you slay them? Yes.Blake smiled. Then that s all thatmatters.You re here now, just in time.Sebastian pulled back and looked hisfather over.He was much thinner thanbefore, his face gaunt and ashen.But hedidn t appear to be in danger of dyingsoon. You look better than I feared, hesaid. I have a remarkable nurse takingcare of me.Her concoctions areamazing.Taste horrid, mind, but they dothe trick.Sebastian turned just as Drea cameinto the room, carrying a tray with twoglasses on top. She s been looking after you aswell, since you were brought here torest, Blake said.Sebastian stood. Drea.She crossed he room and threw herarms around him. I didn t think youwere coming back.He hugged her tight, burying his facein her hair, not caring that the pressurecrushed his bruised ribs.Holding her inhis arms again was worth every jolt ofpain. I told you I d always come foryou.He held her head in his hands, thenleaned down and took her mouth.Hedidn t care if they had an audience.Shetasted familiar and comforting, likehome. Careful there, boy, or you ll need tolie down again. Blake guffawed.Sebastian rested his forehead tohers. Are you all right here? Helooked down at her hands.They weremostly healed, only pink scars marredher palms.She smiled. Yes.I ve been mademost welcome.Your family iswonderful.He snickered at that.Wonderful wasnot a word he would normally have usedto describe his complicated family.Troublesome maybe.Difficult mostdefinitely. Skylar told me I can work at theDruid hospital if I like.That myexpertise would be most valued. Thenshe lowered her voice. I don t have anyclue what a Druid is, but I m sure I ll fitin fine. That s wonderful. He kissed hernose. Then you know I ll be in chargeof things soon, of the League ofIllusion. Yes, your father explained to mewhat that meant. I didn t want it so soon in my life.Ithought I d have a wife and family bythen.Drea looked up at him from underthe hood of her eyelashes and was aboutto say something when the rest of hisfamily burst into the room.Jovan and hisSkylar, Rhys and his Corina.There werehugs and kisses and muchcongratulations going around.Andthrough it all Sebastian thought of onething the destiny that brought them alltogether like this. The solstice is tomorrow, Blakesaid. Are you ready for me to pass onthe Davenport legacy?Sebastian met his gaze, steadiedhimself and nodded. I m ready. Andfor the first time in his life, he truly was. Good, then you must prepare.The preparations consisted of twelvehours of solitude and meditation.Hecouldn t see or talk to anyone for thattime until the ceremony.He looked at Drea, knowing theywere going to have to put their reunionon hold [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]