“Gwen is our friend who sees magic,” Arthur said to Wesley. “And auras. Can touch auras, actually, have a man on his knees in agony.”
“Sebastian mentioned her.” Wesley frowned. “Doesn’t she also control the tide?”
“That too,” Arthur agreed.
Wesley’s gaze darted to Jade. “That’s one hell of a ladies’ society.”
“Yes, we’re very lucky they’re on the side of the angels.” Arthur paused. “Well. Except for that time Gwen tried to drown Brooklyn.”
Wesley opened his mouth.
“Where are wesleeping?” Rory interrupted. “Andeating.”
Wesley gave him a flat look. “John has offered us his yacht for the night.”
“A boat?” Rory groaned. “Tell me you at least brought food, not just bad news?”
“What am I, your hall boy?” Wesley said.
“You won’t get seasick on the river,” Arthur cut in. “Well. I hope you won’t get seasick.”
Rory gave him a dirty look.
“John’s arranging for cars as well,” said Wesley. “They can take us to the marina.”
“Did the police believe the story?” Zhang asked.
Arthur nodded. “Walter is pretending he had no idea anyone was bringing liquor into the party. Swears he thought the trucks were delivering crates of soda. But he was quick to back us up that bootleggers were the villains. Alasdair is being transported to a hospital.”
“And Langford?” Sebastian said quietly.
“I wrote a message for the War Office,” Wesley said. “They’ll see that it gets cabled home.” He held out a hand to Sebastian, as he had earlier in the attic. “It’s taken care of. Come on.”
Two drivers had been called to take them down to the waterfront. Arthur and Rory took the first car, so Arthur could check the accommodations, and Wesley and Sebastian rode with Jade and Zhang to the pier. Sebastian wanted to lean into Wesley the way Jade was with Zhang, but he settled for stretching his leg out to rest his foot alongside Wesley’s. To his surprise, Wesley found his hand in the dark of the backseat, loosely entwining their fingers so that his thumb rested on the lion on the inside of Sebastian’s wrist. The skin was sensitive, as delicate skin always was, but it didn’t send sparks through him the way it had before.
Zhang might believe Sebastian’s magic wasn’t gone forever, but Sebastian wasn’t so sure. He’d meant what he said, though. He had no regrets.
Their car pulled into the marina, and Sebastian made it down the ramp with the others, unsteady legs not helped by the swaying of the dock under his weight. John’s boat was at the far end of the pier, a modest, well-kept cabin cruiser. Aboard, Arthur directed Jade and Zhang to the aft stateroom, insisting he and Rory were sleeping on the deck, where the fresh air would help keep Rory’s seasickness away. Sebastian and Wesley ended up on the port side of the bow, in a room that was more of a cubby and obviously designed with children in mind—a low ceiling, round portholes and a bed that filled almost the entire space, which meant poor Wesley would spend the night kicking the wall with his long legs.
Sebastian, on the other hand, was tired enough he’d have happily slept on the pier. Wesley had lingered in the cruiser’s galley, speaking in quiet tones with Jade, but Sebastian gratefully sat down on the edge of the mattress, more than ready to call it a day.
“Sebastian.”
Sebastian looked up to see Arthur just a couple of feet away in the hall, hunching under the short ceiling. “Arthur.” He swallowed, trying to look nonchalant and not at all like he’d once held Arthur at gunpoint and was now sleeping with his ex-boyfriend. “Hi.”
Arthur took a hesitant step forward. Then he held out a hand. Confused, Sebastian took it.
Arthur pulled him to his feet and into a hug, and Sebastian had to smother a noise of surprise.
“I was under blood magic for only hours,” Arthur said quietly, hugging him hard, “and I still have nightmares. He made me hurtRory. I am so sorry for what was done to you and if you need to talk about it, I’m here.”
Sebastian’s throat went very tight. And then he was hugging Arthur back, also hard, not quite able to form words for what that meant to hear but maybe Arthur understood that too.
After a minute, they pulled apart. “Is there anything I can do for you?” Arthur said, very seriously, his hand still on Sebastian’s shoulder.
Sebastian swallowed and shook his head. “You already did,” he said quietly. “You helped me find the path to Wesley. And he is—the best thing, he makes everything so much better.”
Arthur smiled softly. “Okay,” he said, squeezing Sebastian’s shoulder. “I really am here if you need anything. And I’m happy for you two.”
