Sharp Flowers

Part 10

"Pardon me," Elfie's quiet voice calls from outside my door.

"Come in," I call. Elfie's enters geared up; knives clipped on her belt gleaming.

"Wilkson asked if you were coming with?" she inquires.

"I'll be right there," I tell her, and she leaves. My long black hair drapes around my shoulders. Sometimes I think I ought to hack it off and leave the old Raven behind. But then I remember the fire and recognize she survived, and I just can't let go. There's another knock at the door. "Come in," I call before they ask, but it's Sebastian, flashing a fleeting smile. I stare up at him.

"Can we talk?" Sebastian adds. What's there to talk about? He's not going to open up anytime soon. Between the two of us, his presence alone seems to fill the small space. "It's not an excuse, but I can't just talk about the demon sword curse," he begins.

"Easier said than done. It is easier to fight with a sword you are familiar with. You could say the same for people," I point out. You had no problem talking with Lady Senmeka in private.

"Lady Senmeka's cooperation was a necessity," Sebastian tells me. My eyes snap to him, jaw hanging open, but I bite my tongue. Truth belongs in the light.

"Curses are dark and ugly. They aren't something pretty to look at. They aren't harmless. And they most definitely aren't beloved," Sebastian tells me and admits a tiresome sigh. "An old friend died hating me for what I became," Sebastian grimaces, shaking his head. As he talks, he drops his blue eyes to the floor. "You and I both are alike in that we have hidden who we are," Sebastian admits. That same throbbing in my chest comes back. I'm still disappointed, but he seems genuine. He has the whole city's approval. Knights and Shields at the ready, yet this one truth could destroy him.

"You know of my secret and perhaps the truths of others. Yet we don't really know you. Haven't you anyone that you trust?" I wonder, staring at him, but still, he won't meet my eye. And you're just going to keep quiet like you always do. Sebastian finally looks my way.

"Is that all?" I wonder before he can get a word in. Pressing his lips together, brows twitching, it seems like I struck a nerve. Sebastian sighs, "That aside, I'm leaving on a short mission. I was hoping I could count on you to join us?" Sebastian wonders. I just hope I reached him. As guilty, disappointed and betrayed as I feel, he's hurting. No matter how he tries to avoid me, the stress just radiates from him.

"Well, who else can fight with the demon sword? I'll go," I offer.

"Do you not mind that burden?" Sebastian asks.

"How can I. It's just the life I've chosen," I shrug it off.

"Something else is bothering you?" Sebastian pries. Yes, are you just good at reading people, or are you a mind-reader?

"This person that despised you; did they know you before you were cursed?" I wonder. His lips twitching, a ghost of a smile.

"Yes. We knew each other as children," Sebastian answers.

"And did he see what you became?" I continue prying.

"Yes. He saw what I became and everything I could do as well as what it did to me," Sebastian informs me, closing his eyes. Perhaps I shouldn't have discounted his past so severely?

Though he hasn't tried anything, and outward handsome stature, dropping my guard isn't quite coming to me.

"Anyway, I will see you later. Thank you," Sebastian dismisses himself.

"For what?" I blurt out. You're the one that gave me a place to stay and a purpose to fight.

"For staying," Sebastian says on his way out. Once again, I have my quiet. I wish I could say I had things to sort out. All I have is my sword and to tie up my hair. Outside in the yard, Sebastian's forces are gathering. Shields, Knights, Sebastian's entourage, his left- and right-hand partners.