Page 79 of The Starlight Savior

Sebastien’s brows shot up. “Agree to disagree.” He extended his arm in greeting. When she took it, his other hand sat warmly on top of hers. “I’m Conor’s brother, although I’m sure you’ve heard little about me.”

“How’d you know?”

“My brother likes to keep things quite private. Whether out of respect or embarrassment, one may never know.”

“That’s enough, Sebastien,” Conor warned, taking a step closer to Saige.

“It is an absolute pleasure to finally meet you, Saige Nerestel,” Sebastien continued, his voice enchanting. “Well, officially.” He waved his hands. “We’ve heard so much about you over the years.”

“Years?” Saige tilted her head.

Sebastien turned to Conor, smiling slyly. “Oh your witchling is in for a surprise! Isn’t that right, brother?”

Frowning, she looked between the two brothers. Tension curdled in the air, difficult to decipher. A muscle twitched in Conor’s neck as Sebastien turned back. Before he could stop him, Sebastien continued. “Eva has been reading your father’s letters to us since we were young boys! It was one of Conor’s favorite things, to hear about the lost warrior and his young daughter. Now his bedtime story has become a reality, eh?”

“Really?” Saige said.

Leaning against the wall, Conor wouldn’t meet her gaze. Instead his hardened eyes were burning holes into his younger brother. The scent of burnt cedarwood drifted through the air, a chill sending the hair on the back of her neck rising.

Her face flushed; she knew she should be angry. It was another piece of her life and past kept from her. But the tension in her chest loosened. Sebastien’s jab was an answer to a lingering question. The way Conor always spoke to her, it was as if he had known her all along. And technically…he had.

Stumbling from Cylas’s arms, Niana cut through the building tension with two teetering chalices of wine. Her smile grew when she spotted Sebastien and the other warlocks.

“Seb! Klyde! Markus!” She hugged each of them carefully, not allowing a single drop to spill.

Sebastien, or Seb, reached for one of them, but Niana pulled away. “Nope. Absolutely not. This is for your brother.”

Sebastien threw his hands up with an exacerbated sigh, yet the twinkle of his eyes didn’t fade as he reached for Niana again.

Conor took one of the chalices, draining it in a single gulp. He passed it to Sebastien, his younger brother rolling his eyes.

Conor looked towards Saige. “Ready?”

“Actually, my lady,” Prince Markus said, “I was hoping for a dance.”

Gods, no, she thought, but the words were lodged in her throat. She pressed her lips to her chalice and drained the cup, handing it to Sebastien. “Thank you, but I have a dancing partner this evening.”

“Oh Gods,” Sebastien groaned, handing the chalices to a passing servant. “Are there two of them now?”

Niana scowled, hitting Sebastien on the arm lightly. “Don’t you dare insult her like that.”

“Ready,” Saige said to Conor, ignoring the prince’s gaze.

Conor took her hand, leading her into the growing crowd and towards the swelling music. The moment they were alone, he tugged her into his body, lips pressed against her ear.

“I should’ve told you—” he began frantically, but she shook her head and pulled away.

“Yes. You should have. But I understand why you didn’t.”

“I didn’t want you to think that I’m just here with you because of these letters.”

“Well, aren’t you assigned to me?” Saige laughed, her voice more bitter than expected.

“Technically no.” Conor sighed. “Anytime I’m sent away, my father assigns a different wielder to ensure your safety. But anytime I’m back…I take over.”

“Why?”

Conor’s cheeks were rosy in the candlelit room. “You’re important to me. Ensuring your safety is my number one priority.”