Sebastian (Bowen Boys, #5)(26)
The tea tasted so delicious that he didn’t mind draining the glass. As soon as he pulled it from his lips, another was pressed into his hands. He was drinking his third glass when he realized that he could raise his head without being sick. He looked at Ama, who was holding his hand.
“What was that? And what did you mean by a delay? Delay of what?” Jacob looked at Ama before he looked back at him. He was afraid of the answer and was about to tell him never mind, he didn’t want to know when Ama spoke.
“You’ve just become like me. It was quicker than when I changed to faerie, but it’s done now. Are you okay?” He nodded, still not sure what she was talking about. “I can hear your thoughts. Take a deep breath and then blow it out slowly.”
He did as she said. Looking around the room, he realized that there was a pattern that he’d not seen before and said so. Jacob laughed a little, then stood up. He helped Sebastian up as well.
“You’re going to be just fine. And yes, there is a pattern. You can read it now, correct?” Sebastian looked around the room again and then at where he supposed the starting point was. “There you have it. Now tell me what it says.”
“Amarizi and Sebastian Bowen, you are hereby requested to come to the Ball of Faeries on October twelfth at midnight.” He watched the room shift again and more letters appeared. “You may bring your families, but you must also bring the book. Sincerely, the High Council.”
He looked at Ama and then at Jacob, who was grinning like he’d just won the lottery. Sebastian was beginning to dislike this wizard a great deal. When he stepped toward the door, Sebastian called him back.
“I don’t know what’s going on here. You said that I’ve changed. Okay, I get that, but who is the High Council, and why do we have to go to this ball? And just what book are they talking about? There isn’t even an address for us to go to.”
“You’re taking this remarkably well for a man who only days ago didn’t know a thing about faeries.” Jacob nodded to the boxes just behind them. “Have a seat and I’ll tell you what I can. The rest? Well, I’m not sure who will tell you that.”
“The rest?” Ama looked at him when Jacob nodded at her question. “I thought you’d told me everything when you met up with me all those years ago. And now you tell me there’s more? And the first words out of your mouth had better be to tell me why you keep bowing before us and call us lord and lady all of the sudden.”
“It’s the title given to mated couples such as you.” Jacob raised his hand when Sebastian started to speak. “I’m not able to tell you all because it is forbidden for me to tell you. There will be another that will meet you at the ball. And when you meet him, he will be able to tell you everything.”
Sebastian nodded and pulled Ama closer to him. “You said you can tell us some. How much? And will not knowing the rest get her hurt if that prick comes to get her?”
“No. Nothing will harm her between now and then.” Sebastian found the wording of that statement odd, but before he could question it, Jacob spoke again. “You’re to protect each other, now and forever. Your ability to adapt so well, my lord, is going to serve you well. But in the coming days, you’ll begin to feel the effects of her power on you. You’ll need to make sure that you drink as much as you can. And drink lots of juice if you can. I know that it is difficult at times, but fresh-squeezed is much better. Also, when you start to get more control over your mind, you may want to establish a link to your family, both of you. It will help you later, I think.”
“I have a link with my family.” Jacob shook his head at him. “What do you mean no? I’ve been able to contact them all my life.”
“But you’re no longer just a panther.” Jacob touched his wrist and he felt the connection. “You’ll need to be a panther when you first contact them. Khan will need you to contact him sooner rather than later. I can feel his frustration at not being able to contact you. If you’d like, my lord, I can tell him that you’re having difficulties. But you’re all right?”
Sebastian nodded, feeling a great deal like Alice in Wonderland. He was the rabbit running down the holes, and he was constantly running one step behind. He looked at Ama, who was staring at him strangely. He asked her what was going on.
“Your marks are showing up like mine. Not as fancy, but I can see them.” She reached for her purse and dug something out and handed it to him. “Look into this mirror and you can see it.”
He was marked like her, just not as fancy or as much like she’d said, but he had a feeling that it might change at any minute. He handed her back the mirror, not wanting to think about that right now. Jacob nodded to Ama, and she tightened her grip on Sebastian’s hand.
“You need to shift, my lady, before too much longer. You’ll need to be fully faerie when you go to the ball, and you will need to have some control.” He looked at him. “You, as well, my lord. The council will expect you both to be able to spread your wings when they ask you to.”
“Wings?” He felt the walls begin to shift again and lowered his head and closed his eyes. “You said shift. I’m assuming you don’t mean me to shift to a panther.”
“No, my lord, you’ll need to be able to be faerie when they ask. It will make things go so much smoother.” Like he gave a shit right now, but didn’t tell Jacob. “Sire, you’re doing it again.”