Sebbie stared at me seriously, but the moment was interrupted by a caw.
Sebbie hopped up and skipped over to the window at the sound, his natural joy evident.
“Oh! Is that your crow? Crow, I mean? Does she want to come in? She can come in, if she’d like,” he said, and he looked outside and waved hello to Crow.
Crow cawed at me, almost as if to rub my nose in the fact that she was correct, andof courseSebbie welcomed her in the house. Sebbie opened the window, and she flew over and landed on the sill. I could see his face, and he looked like a delighted kid.
“You’re so pretty, Crow. And so smart, too. You’ve been coming to see me, haven’t you? I always see you in my yard. In fact…” Sebbie blushed suddenly, his eyes darting over toward something on his bookshelf.
I followed his gaze—ah, yes, the stuffed crow. She’d brought him that. He cleared his throat, and his eyes darted around the rest of the items on his shelves.
“I expect she’s brought you some treasures,” I stated.
Crow cawed again and flew into the house, settling on the back of the couch where Sebbie had been sitting as opposed to behind me.
Traitor, I thought at her good-naturedly.
She fluffed her feathers and turned to look at me from one eye. I could read her expression.You weren’t going to let me in the house. He did.
“Yes, she has,” he said, looking over at us both unsurely.
I patted the couch beside me. “She won’t bite. She likes you, maybe even better than me. I’ve been wondering where some of my stones have gone from my workshop, but I should have known.”
“Oh! Some of these are yours! Well, of course you can have them back—” Sebbie started.
I held up my hand. “They’re gifts. I only thought to refine them more, perhaps make them into jewelry or little carvings, but Crow obviously thought they were suitable as they were. They’re yours now, and they look lovely on your shelves.”
He smiled, coming to sit down beside me. He was scooted much closer to me in order to give Crow room, like she needed the whole seat and not just the back. I certainly wasn’t going to correct him, because it felt wonderful to have him close.
Sebbie’s body was cooler than mine. I thought perhaps that was a part of his other nature, but he didn’t feel cold or unwelcoming. It was almost like I had been standing in a very hot room, and he was a light breeze of cool air gently caressing my skin. It was refreshing and invigorating.
He looked at me. “You can do that? Carve little figures out of stone?”
“Yes. I’ll make you one.”
He blushed and looked pleased, then he turned his body toward Crow, putting his back to me and tucking one leg up on the couch.
Crow cooed softly at him, fluffing her feathers. She took a little hop toward him, and he leaned into me. I put an arm on his shoulder, resisting the urge to hug him close to me. I could be patient and go slow, I reminded myself.
“It’s okay. You can pet her, if you’d like,” I told him.
He turned to look at me again, a huge smile on his face. “Really?”
Crow cooed again, I laughed, and Sebbie bounced a little in his seat, his joy at being able to pet Crow apparent.
“Who’s a lovely, beautiful girl? Hmm? You are,” he said, tentatively reaching his fingers out.
Crow was apparently not as patient as me, because she hopped forward and ducked her head down, basically petting her neck herself with Sebbie’s fingers.
Sebbie laughed lightly, and the sound made something inside me ease. He continued to gently talk to Crow, and she cooed at him. I watched them both, feeling more peaceful and at ease than I had before.
I still had questions and concerns, but I could enjoy this moment with Sebbie. He was a gift, and I would treasure every moment of getting to know him.
Yes, there was a lot to deal with, but Sebbie was sunshine and light. We would figure it out together, and his light would lead the way. And if he needed protection… Well, that’s what I was good at.
I wouldn’t let him down.
Chapter 12
