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“Of course.” Brendan beamed, but then he just realized he had no idea what he’d just agreed to.
Shit.
“So, what does that entail?” Brendan quickly asked. “And is there food involved? And uh, maybe some moist towelettes?”
“Food? Yes, of course!” Seba stood from the bed, snapping his fingers.
Bowls of grapes, figs, and dates appeared around Brendan. Trays of sweet breads in a variety of flavors and platters of cooked fish popped up next, and there was a tall pitcher of what Brendan really hoped was beer.
“I am unsure as to what a moist towelette is…?” Seba cocked his head.
“To wash up with?” Brendan touched his hair. Although the wound was gone, the blood remained, and his hair felt pretty crunchy. He was also covered in dust, grime, and what felt like a lifetime’s worth of sweat.
“Ah, yes.” Seba offered his hand to Brendan. “Come with me.”
Brendan let Seba lead him off the bed, and he then followed him to the far side of the bedchamber. More sconces flickered to life, revealing another doorway that opened up into a bath chamber. The bath was a large pool built right into the stone floor with stairs leading in, and the crystal clear water was steaming hot.
“Is this acceptable?” Seba asked, stopping right by the edge of the pool.
“Holy shit.” Brendan laughed. “Yeah, wow, this is more than acceptable.” His heart skipped a beat, and he squeezed Seba’s big hand. “This is incredible.Youare incredible.”
“I am glad that you are pleased.”
Brendan eyed Seba’s wrappings. “Does this mean… uh.” He cleared his throat. “Will you be joining me?”
“I… I would be honored to.”
“Are you gonna be taking that stuff off?”
Seba’s head tilted down as if he was looking at himself, and his grip on Brendan’s hand tensed slightly. “I cannot. Only my Sun is allowed to look upon me.” He lifted his head, the painted eyes of his mask meeting Brendan’s. “You may remove them, but only if you’re certain.”
“How about ninety-nine point nine percent certain?” Brendan grinned nervously. “You are very nice and very kind, but I have no idea what you look like or if you fart in your sleep. This, this is a lot to think about, but…”
“But?”
“I know this probably sounds insane, more insane than the talking mummy who wants to marry me, heh, but I can’t shake the damn feeling that I’m here for you. That I was supposed to find you. That, that… maybe this is exactly why I’m here.” Brendan stared at the mask, slowly reaching for it. “I want to see you. Please.”
“I hope you will be pleased,” Seba said quietly, lowering his head.
Brendan found the edges of the cartonnage and carefully slipped his fingers in to pull it forward. He was surprised when it simply slipped off, having half-expected a magical glow or even triumphant music to play. He didn’t know what to do with the mask now, and beneath it were only more bandages.
Seba took the mask, urging quietly, “Go on, my Sun.”
Brendan’s hands were trembling as he reached for the linen, pulling at the first one he could catch. He slowly unwound it from Seba’s face and sped up when he saw a flash of orange fur. His heart thudded with excitement as he yanked at the wrappings faster, dying to see what was waiting for him beneath them.
He was expecting a human face, but…
It was so not very human.
At least, not entirely.
Seba’s face was that of a man, but it was a tiger man. His snout was shorter than a real tiger’s would be, but his skin was definitely orange and black and white and furry, and wow, his eyes were brilliant gold orbs lined with black. He was undeniably handsome, his broad features regal and almost ethereal, and Brendan forgot how to breathe.
“Wow,” he managed to gasp at last. “You’re beautiful.”
“You… you are truly pleased?” Seba reached for Brendan’s hand, and he smiled, flashing sharp teeth.
“Yes. You’re the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.” Brendan grinned, stroking Seba’s soft cheek and then tracing the lines of his lips and whiskers. He definitely couldn’t wait to unwrap the rest.
