Shadow of the Key | Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 40: Treasured Memories

"Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight. It's hard to let it go.'"

- Hikaru Utada

Amelia's POV

It took two different Floo Flames and Disapparating from Belfast to arrive in paradise.

The last time Amelia and Sebastian came here, both of them were overcome with anxiety and fear that Anne wouldn't return home with them. They had little time to take in the sandy beach, crystal clear waters, rocky cliffs, lush greenery, or the palm trees that scattered around the small island.

The island was enchanted to remain the summer season all year long and consisted of a small village with simple cottages, including a pier where boats dock. Only a few residents stay, some Americans and one that is Jamaican and Polynesian named Wakka. He operates the only tavern present, located on the other side of the island that's about a five minute walk from the mainland.

He was very friendly and laid back, always making conversation with everyone and remembers a lot of the patrons who frequent the tavern.

When Sebastian and Amelia arrived, he immediately greeted them both with lung-crushing hugs before he took their bags from them for safekeeping. He seemed most eager to talk to Amelia, which Sebastian didn't appear too thrilled about when he took her hand and dragged her out of the tavern mid-conversation.

Upon arriving to help Anne, Wakka was anything but the relaxed, laid back guy he was so well known to be. He's someone whose mood thrives off of others, so when Anne had taken up shelter there, he only showcased concern.

And when Wakka led Sebastian and Amelia up to Anne's room, they were distraught to find her a hair's breadth away from death.

Anne had accepted her fate by that time, but after Amelia and Sebastian told her about combining counter-curses with Amelia's magic to extract the curse from her, she believed it was worth a shot.

That one shot saved her life.

The circumstances surrounding their visit were entirely different this time around. As Amelia laid next to Sebastian in the sand, intertwined fingers between them, absorbing the hot sun and the peaceful atmosphere, she was able to forget reality for a little while.

Worry still shook her that the locket would lead to her demise, but it was the only option for them at the moment.

Sebastian turned his head to gaze at her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze that brought her back to the present. He was able to calm the thoughts that wreaked havoc on her.

He always could.

"What are you thinking about, Amie?" He inquired, caressing her hand with his thumb.

She met his gaze and offered a genuine smile. "Nothing now."

"Good. You're not allowed to think today."

Her lips curl up before she asked him the corniest question possible, "Am I allowed to think about you?"

He chuckled through his nose and raised the back of her hand to his lips before planting a kiss on it, bringing it to rest on his chest. "That's the only exception."

She folded her free hand behind her head before she curiously asks him, "Is there a specific reason why you wanted to skip school for a day to bring me here?"

He nonchalantly shrugs, but his eyes appeared lost in thought when he replied, "We never got to enjoy the island last time, I figured now was a good time to."