In the Shadows of a Legacy // A Sebastian Sallow story

Chapter 31- Daisies and promises// Flashback

Sebastian and I sat at the Black Lake, enjoying the peacefulness of the surroundings. His back leaned against the tree while I nestled between his legs, feeling his gentle touch as he skillfully braided my hair.

"Where did you learn to braid so well?" I chuckled, running my fingers along the woven strands.

He shrugged, wearing his trademark lopsided grin that never failed to melt my heart. "Anne," he murmured softly.

A twinge of sadness crept into my heart, but I pushed it aside, leaning my head back against his chest and looking up at Sebastian. I took hold of his hand that rested around my waist and kissed each of his fingertips. "Well, remind me to thank her next time we see her," I said, smiling.

Sebastian leaned down, planting a sweet kiss on my temple. "I am so in love with you, Oppie."

I let out an exasperated sigh at the nickname. "I—"

"I told you not to call me that," he interrupted, his voice playfully imitating mine, teasing me.

A laugh escaped my lips, and I playfully hit his thigh. "You're so annoying, Sebastian Sallow."

He tightened his arms around me, pulling me closer. "Yes, yes, darling, you tell me that all the time."

"Good, as long as you know," I teased back. Sebastian stood up and stretched, leaving me instantly missing the warmth of his presence against my back. His arms reached above his head, and I couldn't help but steal a glance at his perfectly sculpted body beneath the slightly raised button-up shirt. I swallowed, trying to divert my attention, but my eyes found their way to his enticing v-line, just visible above his trousers.

"Hey, my eyes are up here," Sebastian teased, snapping his fingers to bring me out of my trance.

A blush immediately spread across my cheeks, and I quickly looked away, shaking my head to hide my embarrassment, which only made Sebastian laugh even harder. "Aww, sweetheart, did I embarrass you?" he mercilessly teased.

I inwardly groaned. "No."

"You're a terrible liar, you know that?"

"I am not," I couldn't suppress the giggle that tumbled out of my mouth.

He leaned down, getting one all fours in front of me. His face inches apart from mine, "I could teach you a thing or two." My breath hitched at the closeness of his form.

I couldn't help but meet his gaze, a playful challenge in my eyes. "Oh, really? And what, pray tell, do you have to teach me?"

Sebastian's lips curled into a mischievous smile, his warm breath caressing my cheek. "Well, for starters, the art of subtlety. You wear your emotions on your sleeve, my dear Ophelia. It's adorable, but it does give away your every thought."

I raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Oh, so you think you're the master of subtlety, do you?"

He nodded confidently, his eyes dancing with amusement."Of course I am."

I laughed and playfully pushed him away, his eyes blazing as he looked down at my lips, he leaned in and gently pressed his lips against mine. "You're going to be my down fall you know that." He laughed pulling away.

I feigned shock, my mouth parting with a loud dramatic gasp, "I will not!"

He lips pulled into a toothy grin, "You are," he chuckled, "I am completely mesmorized by you Ophelia. Nothing else matters when I am with you."

"and is that a bad thing?"

"No," he breathed, "But you have this way of completely enrapturing me. I am at your mercy."

"I like it when you worship me," I laughed teasingly.

He kissed me on my forehead, making my smile even wider, "You deserve that and more, I will worship you forever my goddess. You are my religion."

I laughed loudly at his dramatics, "You are quite devoted aren't you?"

Sebastian grinned, his eyes sparkling with adoration. "Only the best for my goddess. You bring out the zealous in me, Ophelia."

I leaned in, our lips meeting once again in a sweet and playful kiss. As we pulled away, I couldn't help but tease him further. "So, am I the sole deity in your pantheon, or do you have room for other goddesses?"

His expression turned mock-serious, his hand resting on his chest as if taking an oath. "Ah, never! you, my love, are the supreme goddess of my heart. No other deity stands a chance against your enchanting powers."

I couldn't contain my laughter, leaning my forehead against his. "You really know how to charm a girl, don't you?"

Sebastian brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, his voice filled with sincerity. "Only because it comes naturally when it's you, Ophelia." He pulled me into another sweet kiss, his tongue tracing along mine briefly, before pulling away, making me groan slightly at the loss of his presence. He stood up and began wandering the grassy area in front of us, bending down every so often to pick something up.

I leaned up against the tree and reached into my book bag for my journal and quill. Looking up to watch him every so often as I wrote the words onto my pages. He looked devilishly handsome. The sunlight hitting his hair, making it shine. The curves of his muscles, beneath his shirt rippling as he bent down and walked around. I was completelty enraptured with him. I smiled to myself as the words continued to flow. A warmth flooded through my body. I was the luckiest girl in the world.

Sebastian returned a few moments later, I watched as his towering form leaned in front of me, kneeling on one knee. I giggled as he put my journal aside and reached for my hand, holding it in his large palm. "Ophelia," He smiled, making me feel giddy and warm all over.

"Yes?" I laughed.

"Will you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me." He declared, holding out a small ring woven with daisies.

I rolled my eyes at his dramatics, "We're teenagers, Sebas-"

"I know, but someday," He interrupted gleefully. "Someday when we're ready will you be my wife? When we're away from Hogwarts and Ranrok and the looming threats we constantly have around us," he laughed, "then will you marry me."

"Okay," I murmured, smiling into my hands as they held my head.

"What was that," He chuckled, raising my head out of my palms to face him.

"I said yes," I laughed, as he slipped the daisy ring onto my ring finger.

"Yes?" He questioned.

"Yes!"

In one full swoop he picked me up and twirled me around into the air. The utter feeling of blissfullness circling around us as we laughed loudly. His strong hands planted firmly on my waist as he set me back down on to the grass, pulling me into a deep kiss.

"My future wife," He murmured in between kisses.

"My future husband," I breathed, my hands clasped behind his neck.