Out of the Shadows // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Fifteen

No one said a word. Anger. Resentment. And finally, disappointment washed over Sebastian's face.

Then he turned on his heel and stalked away.

I huffed out air, threw my head back on the couch and put my arm over my eyes. "Well, fuck."

"Don't tell me you regret what just happened because I've never known you to say something you didn't mean and back it up. It's something we have in common. And I love that about you." Imelda was being supportive but I didn't want it right now.

I wanted to be alone.

"I'll see you at dinner." I said and I got up and walked straight out of the common room and to the Undercroft.

The large stone room somehow always brought me comfort. It had changed its meaning for me over the last couple of months. What once was a Sebastian place in my mind then mutated into an Omi and me place.

But this time, his ghost was in here with me again. I came here to get away. To find peace and quiet. But I couldn't stop seeing his defeated expression in my mind.

I went to the very back wall where a little practice area was set up and started to throw jinxes at the barrels and dummies. Getting more furious in my casting as the minutes passed. A sheen of sweat was forming on the back of my neck.

Suddenly, there was a hand on my shoulder.

"Shh, come here, my dear." I turned to see Ominis' concerned face and as his arms pulled me to him.

I wrapped my arms around his waist and sunk my face into his chest, inhaling the comfort of the forest smell. He rubbed my back and stroked my long braid, trying to comfort me.

We stood there for several minutes just holding each other in the silence of the Undercroft. The only sounds our mutual breathing and the lightly flickering flames of the lamps.

"I heard. Some speech!" He softly chuckled and the sound of it reverberated through his chest and into my cheek. It felt nice.

"Well, ... I was angry." I tried to rationalize.

He sighed. "We are going to have to be adults about this. And talk to him." He said this all very slowly as if he anticipated my reaction.

"Pfft." I huffed. "I don't want to talk to him! I've spent five months trying to forget him. I... I've moved on." I said, knowing the words were not true the second they came out of my mouth.

He pulled away and looked at me. "Now I know that's not true, love. He was a big part of your life. Of mine too. We need to face this together like we do everything else. And come out stronger on the other side." He was holding both my hands in his warm, soft hands and staring straight into my face. "You know I'm right." He said firmly.

"I know. I just don't want to." We both smiled at each other.

Suddenly, a softer expression was spreading across his face and he put his palm to the back of my neck, pulling me gradually to him. I let him. Seeking the comfort of his kisses and his touch.

In seconds, we were lost in our mutual kissing. His fingers tangling in my hair and gently pulling through the strands as he undid my braid. My hands were running along his broad chest and sinewy arms, squeezing gently.

Our lips always moved together so silkily and tenderly. It felt so good. He ran his tongue delicately across my bottom lip and my mouth opened involuntarily as an invitation. His tongue slipped inside, stroking mine with tender passion.

I moaned into his mouth as his palm held my neck, securing my face to his while his other hand ran soft circles up and down my side. It was sending tingles through my body.