Sleeping Peacefully

Night had fallen, and the rain outside had finally begun to quiet. Inside the cottage, the warmth of candlelight flickered softly across the wooden walls.

"You'll sleep in Sebastian's room tonight," Oliver said, placing down his teacup.

Ignareth smiled gently. "Alright."

Sebastian glanced at Oliver, confused, but Oliver only gave him a slight nod. "Come to my room for a moment," he added.

Sebastian followed him in silence.

Inside Oliver's room, the old man shut the door and turned to him seriously. "Sebastian, we need to heal your heart a little more."

"But…" Sebastian hesitated. "If he sees the mark, he'll know—"

"He won't," Oliver interrupted. "To him, you're just a traveler's companion. If he asks anything, say it's a curse from a witch. Understand?"

Sebastian nodded reluctantly and began to unbutton his shirt. The faint glow of the cursed sigil pulsed over his heart.

Oliver placed his hand gently over the red-tinged mark and murmured a healing spell. Light flickered beneath his palm as the dark aura began to ease. When he was finished, the mark faded slightly, though not completely.

"We need to find out what Dravencia is planning," Oliver muttered. "Keep watching him."

"I understand," Sebastian said softly.

He returned to his room to find Ignareth already seated in the chair, staring at the fireplace.

"You can take the bed," Sebastian offered quietly. "I'll sleep on the floor."

Ignareth turned to him with a calm smile. "There's no need. I'll sleep on the floor."

Sebastian blinked, surprised. Is he stupid or just stubborn? he wondered silently.

Still, he grabbed a blanket and laid it out beside the single bed. Ignareth settled down across from him, close but not touching. In the dim light, his gaze never left Sebastian.

Sebastian sat quietly on the bed, then lay down, his back turned to Ignareth. But he could still feel it—that unwavering stare pressing into his spine.

Why is he looking at me like that?

Ignareth, lying on his side, studied the way Sebastian's back rose and fell. I remember him… from long ago. Could it be him?

Then suddenly, Sebastian felt it—a tug in his chest. No… not now, he thought. My dark magic… It's leaking out again?

Ignareth sat up. "I smell something…"

Sebastian quickly sat up too, eyes wide. "Ah—must be the fireplace! I forgot to close the vent!"

He bolted from the room before Ignareth could ask more questions.

Outside, Sebastian gripped his chest. We just healed this. Why now?

The door creaked open behind him. Before he could react, Ignareth appeared and gently placed his hand on Sebastian's head.

"You thought I wouldn't notice?" Ignareth said softly.

A pulse of light magic surged from his fingers. Sebastian's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed into Ignareth's arms. The prince caught him before he hit the ground.

"Foolish," Ignareth whispered. He carried Sebastian back into the room and laid him gently on the bed, sealing the door with a flick of magic.

As Sebastian lay unconscious, Ignareth unbuttoned his shirt and stared at the glowing red sigil over his heart. He raised two fingers, blue light magic circling them, and pressed them over the mark.

Sebastian began to sweat in his sleep, his body reacting instinctively to the sudden rush of magic. Ignareth frowned.

This… It's dark magic. And yet…

He pressed his full palm to Sebastian's chest. A surge of healing light poured into him. Slowly, the red and black marks began to vanish. The skin beneath them smoothed and cooled.

When it was done, Ignareth stayed still, watching the boy sleep.

Then he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Sebastian's forehead.

"You'll be fine around me, Sebastian," he whispered. His lips brushed against the other's skin as his voice trembled.

He rested his forehead against Sebastian's and whispered, "I've got you now. I missed you… Do you remember me?"

—

Morning light spilled softly across the room, warming the edges of the bed where Sabestien lay sleeping peacefully for once. The golden sunlight crept up to his face, brushing his skin like a gentle whisper, and his eyes fluttered open.

For a moment, he simply lay there, eyes fixed on the ceiling. He reached out and placed a hand over his chest, where his heart beat steadily beneath the surface. He exhaled slowly, almost in disbelief, then turned his head and looked to the side.

The space beside him was empty.

His brows furrowed slightly. He sat up, looked around the room, then quickly threw the sheets aside and stepped out of bed. He left the room in a hurry, walking barefoot across the cool wooden floor and out into the hall.

The scent of something warm and savory led him to the kitchen.

There, Oliver stood near the stove, humming softly while preparing breakfast. Sabestien approached quietly, but with purpose.

"Master," he said softly, "where's Leo?"

Oliver turned, slightly surprised but calm. "He left earlier. Said he had some work to take care of."

Sabestien's shoulders sank, his expression unreadable. He looked down for a moment, then back up. "I see…"

Oliver narrowed his eyes, noting the subtle tension in Sabestien's voice. "Is something wrong?"

"No," Sabestien said quickly, though he sounded unsure.

Without another word, he slowly unbuttoned the top of his shirt, revealing the red glowing lines of dark magic seared faintly into his chest like a cursed seal. The veins of power pulsed slightly beneath his skin.

Oliver's expression darkened in concern. He stepped closer and gently took Sabestien's arm, guiding him to sit down on a nearby chair.

"Let me see," Oliver said.

Sabestien didn't resist. He sat down and tilted his head slightly as Oliver placed a steady hand on his chest.

"You didn't sleep well last night, did you?" Oliver asked softly.

Sabestien nodded. "Actually… I think I did. For the first time in a while."

Oliver blinked in surprise, then smiled warmly.

"That's good," he said. "Your heartbeat is strong. Steady."

His hand glowed faintly with healing magic as he ran it lightly across Sabestien's chest, soothing the lingering marks of darkness. The magic buzzed gently between them, warm and familiar.

Sabestien watched him quietly, then gave a small nod, almost shy.

Oliver stepped back, satisfied. "It's your first time sleeping peacefully in a long while, isn't it?"

Sabestien nodded again, this time more firmly.

Oliver smiled.

"Maybe you're finally beginning to heal."