"What?" I asked, surprised.
I'd just rejected him and he still wanted to help. No witch was willing to help you after you'd hurt them like that.
"I said, I will still help your daughter. I'm not going to condemn her just because you don't want to be with me," he answered, sounding even more hurt than when I rejected him.
As if the idea of me thinking he would allow a child to die just because he was rejected was worse than being rejected in the first place.
"Let me know when she wakes up and I will see what I can do," he told me before disappearing into the bathroom.
My wolf whined in my chest and urged me to follow him, instead, I stamped him down and walked out. I headed for my room and poured myself a large stiff drink.
I know I've done the right thing, so why does it feel like I've made a mistake?
"Daddy?"
My sleepy-eyed little girl was standing at my door rubbing her hands. I could see sweat lining her forehead. When I reached her she collapsed into my arms, her body burning up. Without thinking, I picked her up and rushed her to Sebastian.
"Sebastian!" I called at his door.
He opened it within a second looking worried.
"Put her on my bed," he ordered as soon as he saw her.
Gently, I placed her in the middle and stepped aside. Uncle John and Aunt Marie came in as Sebastian knelt beside her.
"Get me a bowl of water," he ordered and Aunt Marie rushed off.
I could sense strange energy coming from him. It should have scared me, should have made me grab Aria and run away to keep her safe but I didn't. My wolf felt settled and content to trust his pup to Sebastian.
I watched as Sebastian's eyes turned a brilliant blue as his hand swept over Aria's body. Aunt Marie soon came back with the water and placed it on the bedside table.
The water started to ripple and move in the bowl before slowly flowing through the air towards him. It was mesmerising. He reached out his hand as it spiralled towards him and then coiled, like a snake, around his arm.
The blue in his eyes intensified as he lowered his watered hand and placed it over Aria's chest. Water started to spread and soak through her skin as if she was absorbing it.
"Come by your daughter's head," he ordered and I instantly complied.
Her body was no longer burning and her chest was rising and falling in a normal breathing pattern.
"Talk to her, I need her eyes open," he told me.
"Ari? Aria, my love, wake up," I soothed and repeated.
Slowly, she started to flutter her eyes.
"Daddy?" she whispered. "I feel funny."
"Are you ok? Does it hurt?" I asked.
"No, I feel like I'm swimming. Am I swimming?" she asked me.
I smiled down at her and Sebastian chuckled. Her eyes moved to his and she smiled.
"Your eyes are pretty."
"Thank you," he smiled. "I need you to stay still for a moment longer. Can you do that?"
Aria nodded and looked back at me. Sebastian's hands continued to move over her until he pulled back and closed his eyes. When he opened them again his eyes were back to the deep chocolate colour.
"Aria, can you stand up for me?" he asked as he stepped back.
Aria slowly sat up and, with little effort, stood and walked to him. She beamed up at him as he whispered in her ear. Ari then looked back at me and to my shock, ran to me. She leapt into my arms with a squeal of delight.
Tears filled my eyes as I hugged her tight. Aria laughed as she rubbed my cheeks, wiping the tears away.
"Daddy, don't cry!" she told me and I laughed.
I looked up at Sebastian and smiled.
"Thank you."
He smiled weakly at me, nodded and then left. We all watched him go, and only I didn't look confused.
"What's up with him?" Aunt Marie asked.
I shrugged my shoulders, pretending not to know. My wolf growled at me, angry and I must admit I felt guilty.
Aria looked up at me and my heart ached. Her skin was back to its usual full glow and her eyes sparkled. Gratitude flowed through me with regret.
---
I didn't see Sebastian for a few weeks after that. Aria got stronger and stronger with each passing day. She'd tire quickly for the first few days but not like before.
Uncle John never mentioned Sebastian to me but I could feel he wanted to ask. I wondered if he knew, did Sebastian tell him? My Uncle didn't seem angry with me or disappointed so I doubted he knew.
Sebastian must be doing what he said and staying out of my way. That thought didn't sit well with me after what he did, but I didn't have the right to say or do anything. I'd rejected him, I'd told him we can't happen and he accepted that.