Invisible String - Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Fourty-Seven: Castles Crumbling

There was something to be said about the magic of a dance.

The way his hands held me firmly to the shape of his body while we swayed, the way his eyes sparkled any time he spun me around, my dress flowing wildly around me, a grin more painful and yet more vibrant than any I had experienced in my life as I watched Sebastian laugh. I couldn't help but wonder if we weren't two different people when things were easy.

I liked this Sebastian. I liked the way he watched me, a grin on his own face, his eyes free of any of his normal demons for what seemed like the first time in years, the freckled man before me full of more youthful happiness than I had ever known him to possess. He was carefree as he twirled me around, laughing as he continually drifted us towards his best friend and mine, who had retreated to a table at some point in the night, and were immersed deeply in happy conversation.

This Sebastian was the first true glimpse of the one I had heard of before Rookwood had stolen his sister from him, and my heart soared at the idea of his return.

"There you two are!" Sebastian shouted over the music as we approached Ominis and Poppy at their small table. Ominis jumped, pulling away from Poppy, who laughed and shot Sebastian a glare, but the blonde laughed all the same.

"You act as though we've abandoned you, Sebastian," Ominis said, fighting to keep his voice lofty.

Sebastian on the other hand, snorted, pulling me into his lap as he fell onto the chair next to Ominis. His arms wrapped around my waist, his breath fanning against my neck as he pressed me as close to him as possible.

"You could never abandon me, Ominis. You love me too much."

I rolled my eyes at their antics and leaned forward slightly to look at Poppy. She was leaned close to Ominis, her face flushed pink as she glanced from him to the dance floor and back. They had danced for a while, but I wasn't sure how long it had been since they had left the floor.

"Poppy, do you want to go dance?" I asked her, as the quartet picked up its pace. My feet were aching from the time spent dancing with Sebastian, but if she wanted to go, of course I would. One could hardly blame Ominis for not wanting to dance during the more upbeat songs; it wasn't ideal to have to hold a wand and hold your partner.

"I actually want to get another drink," she laughed. "Come with me."

I untangled myself from Sebastian's grip and placed a chaste kiss on his lips. He smiled at me, "Don't be too long, beautiful."

"We'll be right back," I whispered into his ear, delighting at the way he shivered from my breath.

Linking my arm through Poppy's, we made our way across the room towards the bar, stocked with gigglewater, butterbeer, mead and fire whisky. I took a glass of gigglewater and downed it in one, relishing the refreshing taste. Poppy followed suit, downing her shot of the clear liquid and moving quickly to pick up another one.

"How's Ominis tonight," I asked her, happily picking up my next drink as well. "He seems happy."

"He's perfect," Poppy sighed happily, her blush deepening as she glanced over to the boys we'd left at the table. They were laughing lazily, themselves having a wonderful time by just sharing each others company.

"It's been a long time since I've seen Ominis or Sebastian laugh like that," I remarked. "Too long."

"How's your night of normalcy with Sebastian?" She wiggled her eyebrows at me playfully, like she already knew the answer to that and was allowing me the dignity of admitting to her just how much I found I liked normal.

"Oh, Pop, it's wonderful," I sighed happily. "It's surreal."

She nudged me with her hip as she downed her second shot of gigglewater. "I told you. You two deserve this."