Zoë handed us bowls and helped us find a seat away from the fairies that looked at us with interest as well as regarding us as pests. I could tell we were about as welcome as a stray here. Zoë, though, watched us with piqued interest. She was young in her race. She could be no more than twenty in human years, but she looked like a ten-year-old.
She sat beside Sebastian asking him so many questions, but I wasn't really listening. I was more interested in the conversation Jaspen was having with Bowie. Jaspen looked upset while Bowie looked angry. I swallowed my soup feeling it slide down my throat uneasily. I hoped Sebastian and I showing up here hadn't broken the small truce Jaspen probably had here.
"You okay?" whispered Sebastian in my ear causing me to jump and almost drop my soup.
"Sorry," he mumbled.
Once my heartbeat slowed a bit, I answered him.
"It's fine."
Zoë had left us.
"I can see how that Jaspen guy could get annoyed with that one," he said jokingly. I nudged his shoulder. "And you wonder why you infuriate me?"
He faked hurt. "I infuriate you, she wolf?"
"Aye, with your constant cynical attitude," I teased.
He furrowed his brows, his ice eyes flaring to a new intensity.
"I'm sorry, I'm not used to being around people," he said coldly dropping his voice.
"Sebastian…"
"I've been alone most of my life," he whispered.
"Sebastian, I was just teasing," I said quietly.
I forgot how easily I could hurt him. He had been doing so well lately. How long had he been alone up there in the mountains? Why had he been alone?
He let out a shallow breath. "I'm sorry. I just…"
"I know. I forget."
He poked my nose, catching me completely off guard, and said, "Well, you are very forgetful. Did you hit your head a few too many times, my she wolf?"
And just like that, Sebastian was back to joking around with me.
"Perhaps once too many times," I said, feigning hurt before grinning.
He chuckled then whispered, "Thank you."
"For?" I asked cocking my head to one side.
He smiled- an illuminating, breathtaking smile that showed his sharp teeth. His very bright, white teeth. It caught me off guard.
"For trying to understanding me," he said gently.
He looked so open and timid at the moment the complete opposite of my outgoing dragon that he usually was.
"It's fine," I said breathlessly.
Oh Sebastian. He was completely confusing and infuriating, but he had a tender side. He was handsome. He was sometimes cold as ice and other times as warm as water. Would I ever understand him? It seemed I probably wouldn't. I didn't know how long he would want to stay with me. We seemed to get on each other's nerves constantly.
"Sorry to break up your little moment, but I need you two to come with me to talk to Bowie," said Jaspen.
I jumped involuntarily. He had snuck up on me. I heard him and Sebastian stifle a laugh. Great. I had a feeling these two being together wasn't going to be in my best interest.
I caught Sebastian glaring at Jaspen and jealousy raging through him. What was that about? Sebastian wasn't getting possessive was he?
Sebastian stood and helped me to my feet since my ankle was still troubling me.
"Need me to carry you?" asked Sebastian barely hiding the worry in his voice.
"It will never get better if you keep coddling me," I said, a flush rising to my cheeks because I didn't miss Jaspen's amusement.
Sebastian fell into step beside me as we followed Jaspen back to a wagon. When we reached the steps, Sebastian scooped me into his arms and I growled low in my throat, shooting daggers at him with my eyes.
"Please sit," said Bowie.
We did to the one side of the plush, furnished wagon. I crawled out of Sebastian's lap and looked at him with wonder. What had that been about? Jaspen clambered in beside us.
"How is the food?" asked Bowie gently.
"Wonderful," I said.
"Great," chimed Sebastian.
Bowie nodded. "I'm glad."
"How did you find us?" Jaspen piped up.
"We heard a flute," said Sebastian coldly.
He hated getting questioned.
"See, Bowie, it wasn't because of me."
Bowie glared at Jaspen.
"You may stay here, if you wish," he said as if it weighed on him, but he felt implored. I didn't want to be a burden.
"I don't want to impose."
Bowie smiled weakly. "You won't be. Jaspen please get them settled and have the girl taken to my wife. I see she is hurt."
Jaspen nodded. "Thank you."
Bowie said nothing and Jaspen then led us to somewhere we could sleep.