Reckless Hearts | Sebryan

Chapter XV

Back in Aetherlyn, the royal siblings approached the castle. They finally reached the area beneath Ryan's window but when Ryan reached out for the ladder to place it underneath his window, it was already in position, leaning perfectly against the stone wall.

He turned to his sisters, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What the..." he murmured, his voice trailing off as he turned back to the ladder and began his ascent, his sisters following behind.

When Ryan got closer to the top, he noticed his window was already open. He quickly glanced down at his sisters as he whispered, "My window's opened!"

Grace whispered back, "Well, didn't you leave it open when we left?"

Ryan shook his head firmly, "No!" he insisted. "I closed it!"

Grace's eyes narrowed but before she could respond, Ava blurted out, "Well then go up and see who's inside!"

Grace shot her a stern look, "Ava, quiet!" she hissed. Ava rolled her eyes in response.

Ryan looked back up at the open window and he resumed climbing.

When Ryan reached the top of the ladder, he peered cautiously into his room, his eyes widened in shock at the sight before him. There, lying casually on his bed, was someone he wasn't expecting to see. "Sebastian?"

Sebastian, reclining comfortably on Ryan's bed, looked up with a smile playing on his lips. He held a letter in his hand, which he had apparently been reading while waiting. "Hello, my love," he greeted warmly, his voice smooth and full of affection. He swung his legs around to the edge of the bed and sat up straight. "Did you enjoy your trip?"

A wide smile spread across his face as he clambered the rest of the way into the room. Without a second thought, he rushed toward Sebastian, wrapping his arms tightly around his neck. He pressed his lips against Sebastian's in a passionate kiss. Sebastian responded by holding Ryan close, his arms resting gently on his back as they kissed.

When Ryan finally broke the kiss, he kept his hands on Sebastian's face, his thumbs brushing against his cheeks. His eyes sparkled with happiness as he spoke. "I've missed you so, so, so much. When did you arrive here?"

Sebastian opened his mouth to respond but before he could utter a word, a loud "Ahem," interrupted the moment. Both Ryan and Sebastian turned their heads toward the source, which was the window, where Grace was half-hanging out, struggling to help Ava up the ladder.

"You mind coming to help us?" Grace called out, her tone exasperated as she juggled holding onto Ava with one hand and gripping the ladder with the other.

"Oh," Ryan says flatly, the warmth of the previous moment dissipating as he reluctantly lets go of Sebastian.

He crosses the room and with a sigh, he takes Ava's other hand firmly, and together, he and Grace manage to pull her up and into the room.

Once safely inside, Ava lands on the window's cushioned seat. She immediately starts patting down her dress, "Next time, I'm going up the ladder first," she declares, her voice laced with irritation.

"There won't be a next time," Ryan responds, his tone firm. He gestures toward the door with a wide smile, his arm extending in a mock invitation. "You two may leave my room now."

Grace and Ava exchange a quick glance and they begin to head toward the door. But just as they reach it, they both stop in their tracks as they notice Sebastian sitting comfortably on Ryan's bed.

"Oh?" Ava says, her tone laced with curiosity and a hint of teasing. "So he's why we didn't get your assistance?"

Sebastian offers a meek smile but Ryan on the other hand, lets out a groan. He walks over to his sisters, gently but firmly pushing them toward the door. "You'll understand when the two of you get a lad of y'all's own," he mutters, ushering them out into the hallway.