“I was a different person then,” Sebastian said, more quietly.
“Yes, but duck,” Wesley said, slow and patronizing, “there are plenty of lightweights without magic.”
“Why would I be one?”
“Becauseyou’renot as big as you always think you are?” Wesley gestured at his own second whiskey, which was still half-full. “At the very least, are you sure you want to outdrink me? I’ve had years more experience with my own alcohol tolerance and I’m bigger than you to boot.”
Sebastian rolled his eyes. “Barely bigger.”
“It’s notbarely,” Wesley said. “And if I get you underme, you’re going to see our size difference is more than you think.”
Oops. Damn, itwasstrong whiskey. Wesley needed to watch his tongue.
Though the comment didn’t seem to have made Sebastian nervous. His gaze was on Wesley, sweeping over him before coming back up to his shoulders, his lips. Sebastian wet his own lips. “All talk, no action,” he said lightly.
Heat rolled through Wesley. “Your efforts are impressive, I’ll give you that,” he said, pushing his desire down. “But you’re trying to change the subject, and that doesn’t work on me. I assure you, no action of any kind will be taking place if you get yourself drunk.” He leaned in. “Talk to me,” he said, in a whisper that wouldn’t reach beyond Sebastian. “What’s going on tonight?”
Sebastian’s shoulders dropped. He was silent a long moment, staring into the smoking room but not seeming to see anything.
“Sebastian,” Wesley said, still quiet, “you don’t have to pretend with me.”
Sebastian let out a sigh. “I tried to use my magic again,” he finally said. “But nothing happened. It’s gone, Wes. It’s really gone.”
“Oh, duck,” Wesley said, and this time there was nothing patronizing about the endearment.
“I don’t regret it,” Sebastian said, with feeling. “I don’t ever want you to think I regret it. I’m so grateful I was able to save you. I’d do it every time.”
“I know,” Wesley said truthfully, because he did know, and it was still humbling, the knowledge thatSebastian had chosen him over magic and would do it again.
“And I don’t blame you,” Sebastian said, with just as much feeling. “You were only in that attic because you had come to saveme.”
“I know that too,” Wesley promised. “The fault was Langford’s, and Alasdair’s, and whoever might have been masterminding their actions.”
He leaned even closer. “But it’s all right if you wish you could have meandmagic. You’re allowed to miss it.” His gaze softened. “How difficult this all must be for you, missing your magic but thinking you have to conceal those feelings lest you hurtmyfeelings. I can’t bring your magic back, but I can promise you don’t have to hide your heart too.”
Sebastian looked at him with a kind of helpless gratitude. “Thank you, Wes,” he whispered.
The waiter was approaching with Sebastian’s drink. “We will find out who was behind this,” Wesley promised. “Lady Nora’s mysterious man doesn’t seem to be showing up, but we’re on a ship—he can’t conceal himself all week.” A rueful smile curled on his lips. “And for tonight, if you’re determined not to listen to my better judgment, you can find out for yourself what happens if you keep drinking those whiskies.”
He pointed at Sebastian. “But I’m not going to carry you back to your stateroom. I am not actually a sucker and I do draw the line somewhere.”
“I’ll be fine,” Sebastian said loftily.
Wesley picked his glass back up. “Sure you will.”
* * *
“Wesley. Wes. Wes, I think the floor is moving.”
Wesley tried not to smile as he watched Sebastianinch across the smoking room as tentatively as if he was walking on a tight rope. “Christ, I love sayingI told you so.”
“It’s not whiskey, it’s waves.” Sebastian gingerly stepped through the lounge doorway and into the ship’s carpeted hall, one hand braced on the wall. “Las olas del océano. You know? The ocean waves are making the inside of the boat move.”
“You think so?” Wesley said. “And here I’m walking just fine.”
“Well, maybe I’m just not as good as you at…walking.”
“I bet that sounded like a really clever retort in your head.”
