Sebastian’s heart did a funny twist in his chest. Lord Fine had known about magic for less than a day and nearly been killed by it. Now he was walking into the company of a paranormal he barely knew. Whatever else he was, the man had courage.
“Your lordship,” he called softly, purposefully not using Lord Fine’s name.
Lord Fine turned immediately in his direction.I’ll never forget the sound of your voice,he had said, and apparently meant it.
Sebastian flushed slightly, but held up a hand in greeting. “I was not sure you would come.”
Lord Fine’s mouth thinned. He strode purposefully up to Sebastian, who had to steel himself not to draw back.
Lord Fine set his suitcase down with an abrupt gesture. “Before we go anywhere, you and I are going to get something straight.”
Sebastian swallowed, putting his hands up in a gesture of surrender. “I won’t use my magic on you again, I promise.”
“What?” Lord Fine looked like Sebastian had just promised to lick the station floor. “Don’t be ridiculous. I most certainly expect you will use your magic on me again if it’s necessary, as I would far rather have those watery limbs you create than be on fucking fire.”
Oh,Sebastian’s mouth formed. He lowered his hands, slow and confused. “Then what did you want to get straight between us?”
“That I misspoke this morning,” said Lord Fine crisply. “You’ve apparently been protecting my home with art and clandestine visits since May. And now your magic saved my life last night—which is not a sentence I ever expected to hear myself say—and I don’t know if this is a fae bargain or paranormalnoblesse oblige,but regardless, I should have told you I was grateful, not—well, the things I said.”
That was also not at all what Sebastian had ever expected to hear Lord Fine say. “You didn’t say anything I haven’t thought myself,” he said, surprise making him a little too honest.
“Don’t be absurd,” Lord Fine said crossly. “Only a mendacious wretch would have called you a bully.” And before Sebastian could object to Lord Fine insulting himself, he added, “You really are just a dangerous marshmallow.”
“A dangerouswhat?” This close, their height difference was enough that Sebastian had to tilt his head back to see Lord Fine from under his cap. “I’m not sure if I should say thank you.”
Lord Fine lifted his nose. “Fortunately one of us has manners and already said thank you.”
“You didn’t actually say thank you,” Sebastian pointed out. “You said youshouldhave said thank you.”
“I’m sure that was close enough.”
Sebastian rolled his eyes, but incongruously, he felt a little better. Lord Fine wasn’t acting scared of him, at least. Perhaps this wouldn’t be complete torture for the other man. “Would you like me to carry your suitcase?”
“No,”Lord Fine said snappishly, like he’d been insulted. “You already have your own bag to carry.”
“Well, yes, but—”
“But what? I’m a lord, not a princess.”
“There once was a Spanish princess with paranormal super strength,” Sebastian said. “She probably carried her own bags. I bet Jade could carry her own bags with her mind.”
“Don’t be cute,” Lord Fine said, then quickly added, “Getcute. Don’tgetcute with me, no one is saying anything about youbeingcute. Look.” He picked up his suitcase. “I don’t need to be handled with kid gloves, is what I’m saying. It’s bad enough that I’m suddenly in a world where everyone has magic and I don’t; at least treat me like a capable man.”
He looked a little vulnerable as he said it, and that did something funny to Sebastian’s heart. “I think you are very capable. You had me in handcuffs only hours ago, yes?”
Lord Fine straightened up. “I did do that, didn’t I? I could have shot you.”
“You don’t have to sound so happy about that,” Sebastian said dryly.
Something almost like a grudging smile played on Lord Fine’s mouth. “It’s not as if it did me any good. You didn’t care until I aimed that gun at Powderpuff.”
“I suppose this is the part where you tell me you played me for a fool,” Sebastian said, “and you wouldn’t really have shot your neighbor’s dog?”
“And why would I tell you what you want to hear?”
Sebastian folded his arms.
“What I would or wouldn’t have done is irrelevant,” Lord Fine said. “You’re the one who let a Maltese expose your secrets. Christ, you never would have survived the war.”
