Family of Lies: Sebastian (10 page)

Ms. Crane turned her head like her namesake. “There’s something strange about your tale, but I have work to do. You’re safe from my investigation… for now.” Harold handed Ms. Crane her book, and she dug into her purse to pull out a gold coin.

“What did you buy? Harold doesn’t scam his customers, and he was probably being generous with the price.” Sebastian stared at the gold coin dropping into Harold’s hand.

“A book I haven’t seen since my youth, and of no concern of yours.” Ms. Crane smiled so Sebastian wouldn’t take offense at her words.

“She picked one of the hardest books to find that actually has nothing to do with magic.” Harold laughed. “Don’t worry, Sebastian, your book is still more expensive.”

Ms. Crane pinched her lips with the effort of holding back her curiosity.

“You won’t show me yours, I won’t show you mine,” Sebastian said as he escorted Ms. Crane out of the shop.

Kevin crossed his arms when Sebastian returned. “You’re spending reward money on books? Why don’t you save for when you move out of the house, or will you become a leech like the others?”

“What I spend my money on is none of your business. Why are you still here?”

“I enjoy living a peaceful life with my husband. We’re not rich, but we’re doing nicely without having our home invaded by that viper and her spawn.”

“Is your sister really that bad? I have a sister, and I don’t like her much, but she’s family,” Lieutenant Adams interrupted.

“Yes, Lieutenant Adams, by Orwell standards, she is that bad. She’s the only one who tries to be like their mother and is succeeding,” Harold chimed in.

“I don’t agree with Lord Bast very often, but he’s right. Now back to business. I can’t throw you over my shoulders and drag your sorry ass back.” Kevin looked at Sergeant Hooper, who stroked the bow strapped to her side. “But can’t I appeal to your reason?”

“No.”

Kevin threw up his hands. “Fine, but if you do get killed by assassins, it’s your own damn fault!” He stalked out of the shop, and Sebastian continued helping Harold until late in the afternoon.

M
ARGARET
HUGGED
Sebastian fiercely. “Where are you headed next?”

“Cern. I have a satchel of herbs on order, and I can make quite a bit of coin at the festival.” Sebastian detailed his travel itinerary and pointed to the largest bag tied to his horse. “I’m also selling books for Harold. He’s too busy to make the trip himself after the healer took off time.”

“I’m not complaining, but how long will you travel in circles?” Adams asked.

“I only have two more stops.” Sebastian rummaged through the food bag and grinned at finding sugar cookies dusted in cinnamon. “Margaret, you are the only one who loves me.”

Tying his bags to his horse, soldier number four, whose name Sebastian hadn’t quite learned, stared at him quizzically from under dark curls that pulled tighter in the morning mist. “Is the rest of your family like your brother?”

“His temperament falls in the middle compared to my other siblings. In his defense, the thought of getting stuck with Alice made him crankier than usual. Out of the whole lot, I have one nice sister and one nice brother.”
Or used to be two nice brothers. I need to leave before I become any more maudlin.
“We should go now if we want to reach my brother’s inn at a decent time.”

“Do you want an extra sword for the journey?” Margaret asked.

Sebastian shook his head. “I am in no real danger, and there’s no reason to waste your time.”

Harold grasped Sebastian’s hand as everyone mounted their horses. “Don’t be a stranger, and watch out for trouble.”

“I’ll try my best, but my luck so far has been abysmal.” Sebastian looked in Margaret’s direction. “No matter how much of a grouch I am, there’s nothing I’m looking forward to more than your wedding next year.” He mounted his horse, and Margaret winked at him.

“I knew there was a reason I keep fattening you up,” she said.

“Aren’t you of a marrying age now?” Harold asked softly.

“I’m old enough to marry but too young to care,” Sebastian joked, but Harold gripped his arm.

“You rarely let someone near enough to even decide if they could truly love you. Have you considered that maybe you’ve been wearing these cloaks for too long?” Harold touched the cloth, but unlike so many years ago when Sebastian first saw him, his fingers didn’t slide off the fabric. “Prince Turren is from two powerful wizard lines, and that’s a perfect match for the fey blood running in your veins.”

“Harold, just because the prince will live as long as me doesn’t mean I’m ready.”

“Can’t you at least try?” Harold pleaded, but Margaret gently removed his hand.

“It’s his decision on both counts, and maybe he does need more time.” She cupped the side of Sebastian’s face. “I think it’s a good idea that you’re going to Cern. James might have good advice for you.”

“You act as if I’m frightened of love,” Sebastian accused.

“I think you are, but I can’t blame you. But, have you thought about what it would mean if a person as afflicted as you found love?” Margaret asked.

Why is she bringing Ophelia into this?
“I don’t think my situation affects her at all.” Sebastian said. “She’s always at home and in danger of being kidnapped if she ventures out without protection. How could she meet anyone?”
The only person besides family she talks to is Lord Pasley when he checks the wards on our property.
Sebastian blinked.
That shitty bastard. He’s as sneaky as the damn prince.
“Why wouldn’t Ophelia tell me?”

“The same as you. She won’t admit her feelings to herself because she’s afraid. I’m not trying to make you feel pressured, but if you end up happy, there’s a chance for her too.” Margaret stroked his horse’s nose.

“I think you waited to tell me this until it was too late for me to confirm a name in private,” Sebastian complained.

“I’m not denying it.”

“I grudgingly like you even if you’re conspiring against me with Harold.” Sebastian squeezed her hand and waved good-bye to her and Harold.

“M
AYBE
YOU
should reconsider your mother’s summons!” Lieutenant Adams shouted above the rain soaking everyone except for Sebastian in his enchanted cloak.

“You have magic,” Sebastian said loftily.

“Weatherproofing spells cast directly on the body can interfere with sensing attacks. The safety of the package takes priority over our comfort,” Sergeant Bradley said as his head glistened with raindrops. He and the second female soldier in the group shielded them with wards throughout the entire trip, which spent most of their energy. Sebastian knew how hard it was to hold a group under spells, so he didn’t bother them. The sleep they had gotten at Harold’s must have given the man renewed strength to talk.

“How are you and Thimbly holding up?” Lieutenant Adams looked back at the two soldiers in the rear of the party.

“We’re doing better after eating those cinnamon buns, sir,” said the second woman with chin-length brown hair dripping water on freckled skin. “Your friend is talented, Sir Orwell. Usually foods enchanted to stay hot taste funny, but I would have thought they came straight from the oven.” They had taken a break under a stand of trees and divvied up the rest of the steaming-hot confections before the rain turned into a downpour.

“Margaret is a genius when it comes to mixing food and magic, but she’s also on Bruwen’s City Watch.” Sebastian touched the side of his robe where knives given to him by Margaret at Winter Solstice were hidden.

“Too bad I’m not dumb enough to compete with Lord Bast for her affections,” Lieutenant Adams said regretfully.

“I don’t see why you’re letting that stop you. Living as a frog for a while does wonders for the skin.”

“I’m not antagonizing a powerful wizard for your pleasure. I see the gate for Cern,” Adams said, watching the pedestrians and riders joining them on the road toward the busy city. The crowds were heading home for the night before the gates closed, and Sebastian received only a few curious stares as they entered the city.

The guards walked two by two, gathered into a cluster around Sebastian when the crowds grew larger.
Cozy as a damn pea.
“It’s down the first street on the right, and it’s the second inn on the left.”

“Are you going to another bookshop tomorrow?” Sergeant Hooper asked.

“Yes, and we’re staying here for two days.” Sebastian slowed his horse when the inn painted a subtle sky blue among its red and forest green cousins came into view. He turned his horse toward the stables, and the soldiers followed him.

They delivered their horses into the care of a stable girl, and the soldiers followed Sebastian to the inn’s front.

“How’s the food?” Vendrix asked, rubbing his stomach.

“It’s all right, but it won’t kill you,” Sebastian said. A blonde woman with an innkeeper’s pin opened the door, and Sebastian grinned at the stricken faces of the soldiers.

Hands on hips, the petite innkeeper stood on the front stoop with a dripping spoon. “Is that how you talk about my cooking when I’m not around?” Light blue eyes tried to look strict, but the crinkling around her lips gave her away. Ellie ran into Sebastian’s arms and hugged him soundly.

Sebastian stepped back after feeling a small bump. “Nephew or niece?”

“I don’t want to know, so I told Ophelia to stay quiet,” his marriage-sister said as she grabbed Sebastian’s hand and dragged him inside.

The soldiers followed closely as they walked through a hallway leading to an opening in the kitchen and the main dining room. Yellow roses decorated the wallpaper, giving it a light touch among the dark wooden tables and floor. Aromas from the kitchen made Sebastian’s stomach rumble. “When I said
all right
, I meant to say
fantastic
.”

“Yes, try mocking my food when its smells taunt you.” Ellie led them to a table and gestured for them to sit. “This is a bigger crowd than what I usually see you with, Bastian. James wanted to see you as soon as you walked in the door, but you’re wet and need hot food in your stomachs.” She sprinted off to the kitchens, leaving behind a confused group of soldiers in her wake.

“I thought you said that Ophelia was the only nice sister you had,” Lieutenant Adams said.

“I do only have one nice blood sister. Ellie’s my marriage-sister.”

“Wise words after I have to come down for you,” a deep voice boomed behind Sebastian’s chair.

Sebastian hadn’t seen his older brother sneak up behind him and finally noticed the alert positions of the soldiers. He stood and faced the muscular giant whose features were too severe to be called handsome. Gray eyes peered at him from beneath glasses. “Impending fatherhood suits you,” Sebastian said.

James hugged Sebastian with less pressure than Ellie but held him just as long. It was the longest embrace James had ever given Sebastian, and he wondered if it was a habit learned from his wife. “It does. What brings you here?” James grabbed a chair from another table and squeezed in between Sebastian and Vendrix.

“I ran into trouble at home. I’ll tell you the rest after we eat.” Sebastian sat back as Ellie and a serving boy arrived with trays of food and wine.

“And your friends?” James looked from one soldier to another.

“Also part of the trouble.”

“You’re the one who’s nothing but trouble,” Lieutenant Adams muttered as he eagerly reached for mashed potatoes and slices of ham.

Sebastian ignored him and filled his plate.

“You finish eating and meet me upstairs in the library. It’s empty this time of night.” James stood and returned his chair to its original place.

L
IEUTENANT
A
DAMS
stopped Sebastian before he entered the room. “Protocol. I need you to wait for me to search the room first.”

“Fine.” Sebastian waited as the lieutenant and Sergeant Hooper checked for assassins.

It wasn’t long before they walked out with amused expressions on their faces. “It’s safe,” Sergeant Hooper said. “But you won’t be happy.”

Frowning, Sebastian stepped past them and peered inside. James and Kevin were seated at a board game contemplating their next moves.
I should have pretended Kevin was a stranger and let them beat him a little.
“What a pleasant surprise.”

“I must have forgotten to mention that Kevin arrived a few hours before you did.” James didn’t bother looking up from the game.

Kevin smiled as James moved a game piece into danger. “Since you’re avoiding home and the castle, it made sense you were still headed in this direction. I also figured that even though you’re a rude bastard, you wouldn’t be crass enough to bypass your oldest brother.” Kevin snatched up a pawn. “I might play you instead of James because it’s like playing a child.”

Sebastian turned to the soldiers filling the doorway. “I’m sorry, but I want to speak privately with my brothers.” He shut the door in Lieutenant Adams’s face and locked it.

“Half an hour! I don’t like leaving you alone in a crowded building,” Lieutenant Adams yelled outside the door.

“And space if you don’t mind.” Sebastian waited until the footsteps disappeared and pulled his hood back. His brothers continued staring at their game, but Kevin’s eyes briefly strayed to his face.

“Have you decided to pursue a marriage yet?” Kevin asked while taking another of James’s pieces.

“Why the hell is everyone asking me that?”

“Because you need to do more with your life than buying books and caring for Ophelia. Your reputation will be ruined if you keep helping Father with his business, but you could get out of the house by finding a decent match.”

Sebastian glanced at the board. Kevin wasn’t paying attention and missed that the two sacrifices had put James in a better strategic position. “I have no desire to be murdered or sold into slavery, so I haven’t been looking for a husband.” Sebastian shuddered at the memory of Ophelia’s horrified face as she gazed into his future. He pulled a chair away from another game table, slid it behind James, and sat on it, using his cloak as a pillow. “I decided to put aside my gold until Ophelia can be properly looked after, and then I’ll open my own bookshop.”