The Stars Over Bittergate Bay

Chapter 25

25

T he cold, wet morning clung to Jonas’s work coat as he walked the perimeter of the Elmmond House property. He was groundskeeping, dragging a wagon around behind him, picking up the sticks and branches that had blown into the yard from the storm the day before.

It didn’t need to be done so early in the morning, but Jonas was restless. After they’d gotten home from the diner the night before, Sidney had gone to work on his charts in the library. Jonas had fallen asleep in his study by accident; the sound of the rain rhythmic and tranquilizing.

When he first woken up, it’d been so early that it was still dark, and maybe, ridiculously, he’d checked out on the balcony for Sidney before crawling into bed. No stars could be seen through the thick layer of clouds. Sidney had probably gone to his own room hours ago. And that shouldn’t have bothered Jonas at all, but he was still thinking about Sidney as he tugged his wagon full of halved branches around the western edge of the woods.

He liked Sidney. He’d said it out loud the day before and had been turning it over in his head ever since. It was true, of course, but he still wasn’t sure why he’d said it. Why he’d exposed himself like that. It was dangerous, wasn’t it? But ‘No humans,’ as a rule, suddenly felt silly and reductive. And Sidney had been so pleased, that it charmed the fear right out of Jonas’s head. Jonas wanted to please Sidney. He wanted more things than he’d realized.

The windows of Elmmond House were dark, condensation catching on the glass revealing that the rooms inside were being heated and, therefore, occupied. Jonas cared for the house, even though he didn’t live in it. He’d pushed himself out of it at some point; told himself that he didn’t want the big old thing because it came with too many responsibilities and bad memories. Instead, Jonas built a garden cottage in the corner of his heart for the things he wanted and couldn’t let go of. Jonas condensed everything about himself, covered it with a blanket and pretended like that meant it wasn’t there anymore.

It was stupid to be surprised that everything under the blanket still existed. All the things he wanted. The life he’d thought once of building for himself. He’d forgotten that Elmmond House could look welcoming. Could be warm and lived in. Experienced from the inside, instead of picking up branches on the periphery. It made him wonder what Sidney would think of it. If Jonas could make room for him, would Sidney be willing to take up the space?

He was blushing, ridiculous on a man of his age, but he couldn’t stop himself. He’d forgotten the way affection warmed him, the way it made him hungry. Foolish.

Still, when he saw Sidney coming across the lawn toward him, all bundled up in his grey peacoat and borrowed garden boots, since his were still soaked from the caves, Jonas turned toward the trees so that he could fix his hair and straighten his coat.

“It’s fucking cold out here,” Sidney grumbled, hoisting a heavy thermos toward Jonas, who took it.

“What’s this?”

“Coffee, obviously.” Sidney glanced down at the wagon full of wood behind Jonas. “What are we doing?”

“I’m cleaning up from the storm yesterday. You don’t have to join me. I’ve got to go all the way up to the chapel.”

“So, that’s why Delilah told me to go back to bed.”

“The one time she was being helpful, and you didn’t listen.”

“To my credit, it’s impossible to tell the difference.”

“No,” Jonas took a sip from the thermos, before smirking at Sidney. “If you hang around long enough, you’ll figure her out.” Was that an invitation? It sounded like one, though Jonas hadn’t realized he meant it until it was out of his mouth. Sidney’s eyes widened, and his cheeks pink. From the cold. Jonas handed him back the thermos. “Really, you don’t have to come with me.”

“I don’t mind,” Sidney said. “I went to bed early. No stars, you know. Plus, I made breakfast sandwiches.” He tugged his satchel around to the front of his body and produced a steaming bundle of wax paper. The smell of bacon hit Jonas with almost tangible force. His mouth watered.

“For me?”

“No, just for me.” Sidney rolled his eyes as he shoved the sandwich into Jonas’s hands and then pulled another out of his bag. “I know you didn’t have breakfast because the kitchen’s still clean.”

“I’m not sure what you’re insinuating,” Jonas lied. It was his kitchen and he could leave it as messy as he liked. And he hadn’t had breakfast.

The sandwich he unwrapped dripped grease onto his palm, and when he bit into it he moaned at the bright, salty flavor that melted against his tongue. Sidney laughed. He held his sandwich in one hand and grabbed the wagon handle with the other, heaving it into motion. Jonas followed along, trying not to bask too much in the warmth of Sidney’s presence, and how nice it was to not be tending to the house alone.

Trees lined the dirt road between the cottage and the chapel. The bay crashed against the cliffs below, but the sound of it was almost drowned out by a wind that was furiously shuttling clouds across the sky.

“How long have you lived here?”

“A while,” Jonas evaded gracelessly. Sidney let him have it.

“Is it a family property? Like?—”

“Delilah’s family,” Jonas said. “Her mother was an Elmmond before she married Heatherington. I bought it several years after she passed. Delilah, not her mother.”

“You bought it?” Sidney knew it was unreasonable to be startled by this, but he was anyway.

“I told you I own the property.”

“It must have cost a fortune.”

“But if I’d inherited it, that would have been fine?” Jonas arched an eyebrow, and Sidney considered the paradox. How had he expected Jonas to own the place? Sidney was woefully inexperienced when it came to real estate; he’d been living in college housing for far longer than any grown adult ought. “If it helps, I’m not nearly as rich now as I was before.”

“I thought it went, ‘When I had the youth I had no money; now I have the money I have no time,’ or something like that.”

“More Alcott?” Jonas grinned. Sidney shrugged.

“I’m appallingly well-versed.”

“Indeed. Unfortunately, I’ve ended up in quite the opposite state of dear Louisa.”

“Nonsense,” Sidney teased. “I bet you have investment portfolios ,” he imbued the words with an absurd amount of disdain and Jonas snorted.

“Out of all of the things people have decided to dislike about me, I’m not sure it’s ever been that my finances are in decent order.”

“That’s because you’re friends with princes and sorcerers and ghosts.”

“I don’t think Delilah worries too much about her stocks and bonds these days.”

“I genuinely have no idea what those things are.” Sidney shrugged. “I’m not a prince, remember.”

“I’m fairly certain Prince Asterion doesn’t know what those things are either,” Jonas chuckled. Sidney shook his head in mock disappointment.

“You need to meet better princes.” That made Jonas laugh out loud. It was a gorgeous sound that made Sidney’s joints go all wobbly.

“I certainly don’t need any more princes,” Jonas arched an eyebrow at Sidney. “I can barely handle one rogue Astronomer as it is.”

“On the contrary, I think you’ve handled me quite admirably.” Jonas snorted, and Sidney was inordinately pleased by the flush that spread across Jonas’s cheekbones.

“Admirably?”

“I’m practically tame now,” Sidney said. Jonas leaned close, and for a moment, Sidney thought Jonas was going to kiss him.

“I certainly hope not,” Jonas murmured. Every part of Sidney tensed, his pulse turned rapid, and his mind blanked.

But only their fingers brushed, as Jonas took the wagon handle out of Sidney’s grasp and kept going up the path. Sidney couldn’t see Jonas’s face, but he knew Jonas was smirking. Fine. The wagon was getting heavy anyway. Jonas could take it, if he wanted.

Sidney knew he was being toyed with, and he liked it so much. It was a game he’d never gotten right before. The trust, the balance of feeling, in previous relationships was wrong for it. But Jonas wasn’t like that. Of course, Sidney wasn’t a fool. He knew Jonas had secrets. But everyone did. Sidney couldn’t fault him for it.

Sidney took a deep breath, resolved to ignore that he was half hard, and caught up with Jonas in several quick strides, as though nothing had happened at all.

“How did you get rich in the first place? Maybe that will make it better.”

“I doubt it, but like I said, I’m poorer now. Hopefully that’ll make all the difference. My family is titled.”

“Oh, Christ,” Sidney gave an overexaggerated groan. Jonas grinned at him. “I should have guessed. What are you? An Earl?”

“I was a Duke. A long time ago. I’ve been disinherited though. No money. No title,” he shrugged, his gaze flicking back to Sidney. Sidney smiled.

“A plebian like the rest of us, Duke Rookwood?” Sidney teased. “I like the sound of it.” Jonas pulled a face.

“Ugh. No.”

“Of course. Anything for his lordship.” Sidney affected a little bow, and Jonas swatted at him with his free hand. Sidney ducked away, so distracted by the easy, lovely smile on Jonas’s face that he immediately tripped over a worn groove in the dirt road.

Jonas dropped the wagon handle and caught Sidney by the extra fabric of his coat at his waist. With a sharp jerk, Sidney was against Jonas’s chest, Jonas’s arm wrapped around him to steady him. Sidney bit back a gasp, his body immediately relaxing into Jonas’s embrace. Jonas frowned down at him in concern.

“Alright?”

“I’m fine,” Sidney said.

“Your ankle’s okay?” Did Sidney have ankles? He had no idea.

“Perfectly fine, Your Grace.” Jonas scowled and kissed him hard.

Jonas was more than Sidney had ever wanted. Strong and smart. Handsome and clever, with a sense of humor. There was nothing for it. Sidney was ruined. He knew it as he clung to the damp lapels of Jonas’s worn canvas coat. He’d never wanted to kiss someone so much in his entire life.

Sidney tried to give as good as he got, but Jonas was pressed against him, hands grasping at Sidney’s waist like Jonas was afraid he was going to blow away. Sidney leaned into Jonas and slid his arms around Jonas’s neck, running his fingers through the back of Jonas’s thick, dark hair. Before Sidney could make a move, Jonas straightened up, holding Sidney firmly by the waist as he lifted him off the ground.

Sidney’s gasp of surprise ended in a moan, as he wrapped his legs around Jonas’s waist, reveling in the moment of perfect friction between them. Jonas growled in response, nuzzling Sidney under the chin with his mouth, nipping at his throat. Jonas had a penchant for biting that Sidney was growing quite fond of.

“Not very duke-like behavior,” Sidney chastised breathlessly. Jonas chuckled against his skin.

“Clearly you haven’t met very many dukes.”

“Anyone could see us!”

“As though that’s not what you’d prefer,” Jonas said, his voice low again. Sidney felt his cheeks heat, not at the accusation itself, but that Jonas knew him well enough to make it. “Besides, this is my property. If I want to have you in the middle of the road, I don’t see that there’s much anyone else can do about it.”

“Spoken like a true aristocrat,” Sidney barely managed. His brain wasn’t working as quickly as it had been before, as all his blood had vacated for points south. “So demanding.”

“I could be,” Jonas offered. And that was certainly tempting. Sidney leaned down and kissed him lightly, gently, and the hum of approval that emerged from Jonas’s chest was delicious. Jonas tightened his grip on Sidney’s hips. Like he wanted Sidney desperately; barely clinging to composure. No one ever wanted Sidney like that. Sidney would have let Jonas take him in the road. He would have let Jonas have him anywhere.

“Trees,” Sidney murmured. Jonas arched an eyebrow at him. “Into the trees. Carry me.” Jonas smirked as he did, abandoning the wagon in the road.

“I said I don’t mind if people see.”

“We have your reputation to think of,” Sidney murmured. “Pillar of the community to vicars and ladies who walk dogs.” Sidney trailed off, as Jonas pressed Sidney's spine against the rough bark of a tree and smiled up at him, wolfish, hungry almost. Some feral part of Sidney thrilled at the thought of being Jonas’s prey. The game, again. Teasing, chasing. He squirmed, just enough to slip out of Jonas’s grip, relieved when his ankles didn’t give out as he balanced himself on the roots beneath their feet. He put his hands on Jonas’s lapels, braced against his chest, and looked up into Jonas’s gorgeous amber eyes.

“Go on, then.” The challenge. Sidney said it mostly to see what Jonas would do. Gratifyingly, Jonas pounced on Sidney in moments, his hands beneath Sidney’s coat, mouth against Sidney’s neck. Sidney leaned into it, relishing his attention.

Jonas dropped to his knees, fingers pulling roughly at the button of Sidney’s trousers, like he couldn’t get them undone fast enough. Sidney whimpered watching him. It felt incredible to be wanted in a fervor. To see the way he desired Jonas mirrored in the desperate way Jonas was undressing him.

Jonas freed Sidney from the confines of his trousers, shorts, and licked his lips before taking Sidney at once into his mouth. Sidney groaned, his head falling back against the tree. He threaded his fingers through Jonas’s hair, moaning as Jonas hummed his approval. Sidney’s heaving breaths echoed in his ears, as the fingers of his free hand clutched the bark of the tree.

“Jonas! God—” Jonas slid a hand up, his fingers curling around Sidney’s hip bone. Sidney’s mind had turned to mush. The cold wind on his cheeks, the warmth of Jonas’s hand on his skin, and the frantic heat building in the base of his spine. Sidney was gasping, so close to release, and desperate for more. For desire that was tinged with affection like this. It was intoxicating, and destroying him, he knew. He could never settle for anything less. For anyone else. He wanted Jonas Rookwood in every imaginable way.

“Jonas,” Sidney moaned. Gasped, as Jonas looked up at him. His eyes were bright in the strange light of the woods, pools of molten copper that Sidney wanted to sink into. Still hungry for Sidney, even as he feasted. Sidney’s head dropped back. “I’m going to—” Jonas tightened his hand on Sidney’s hip and took him to the base in one fluid motion, swallowing around Sidney as Sidney came with Jonas’s name on his lips.

Before Sidney managed a coherent thought, Jonas was up, pushing Sidney back against the tree. Their mouths were pressed together. He could taste himself on Jonas’s tongue and the thought of them being mingled together, pleasure and desire, overwhelmed him.

Sidney was only vaguely aware that Jonas’s hands were tucking Sidney away, doing up his trousers. Jonas licked into Sidney’s mouth again, and Sidney grabbed weakly at the back of Jonas’s coat and that was when Sidney heard the sound of footsteps crunching through the leaves.

He stiffened immediately, but Jonas kept kissing him. Slower, though. He’d heard it too. Jonas smoothed his hands down the front of Sidney’s coat between their bodies. When had Jonas first heard it? Who had caught them? A throat cleared. Jonas stilled, his lips soft against Sidney’s. Sidney could feel Jonas’s mouth curl into a smirk before he turned his head.

“Father Michaels,” Jonas said by way of greeting. Was there a worse position to be caught in by a priest? Sidney’s mind very unhelpfully provided several immediate examples, so by the time he met Father Michaels’ gaze, his cheeks were bright red.

“Good morning, gentlemen,” the vicar said, without even a hint of irony. He was wearing a pair of binoculars around his neck and had a notebook in his hand.

“How goes the birding?” Jonas asked.

“Oh, very well. How goes the…?” he trailed off, looking between Sidney and Jonas with a look of absolute innocence. Like he’d encountered them at the corner store.

“We were gathering up the sticks and branches that had fallen on the road. Tidying the place up a bit before the festivities.”

“Good of you. Actually, quite a large one came down outside the rectory. I’ve got an axe, if you don’t mind taking a whack at it for me. I’m afraid with my back, I’d only hurt myself.”

“Of course,” Jonas said. Sidney was amazed at him. Amazed at both of them, really. But then all of a sudden, Jonas’s hand was threading through Sidney’s, leading him back toward the road. Father Michaels followed alongside.

“You ought to see this tree on the far side of the graveyard Jonas. It’s really quite extraordinary. There are about three starling nests in it. Only the birds living there have different wing markings than your normal starlings.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know a starling from a blackbird, Father,” Jonas said as he grabbed up the wagon handle and glanced at Sidney. “Sidney?”

“Ornithology hasn’t really ever been an interest of mine, I’m afraid. A mockingbird nested outside my bedroom window when I was young, and it was so loud, it put me off the class of creature entirely.”

“Here it is. See? And with some green still on the leaves as well!” They followed the curve of the road toward the chapel, and it was very quickly clear which tree Father Michaels was talking about. Jonas stopped to look up at it, a frown creasing his brow.

It was a strange enough sight that Sidney’s worry about being caught faded more quickly than he would have thought possible. While most other trees were brilliant shades of orange, red, and yellow, this one tree, with low branches stretching wide, was still full of green leaves. A strange shade of green too, a deep emerald. Not all of the branches. But some. Enough that it stood out.

“I have to confess, I’ve not noticed it before,” Father Michaels said. “Not the tree, I mean. It’s been here longer than I have, I’m sure. But the foliage, and the birds.”

“Strange,” Jonas agreed. He let go of Sidney’s hand to walk up the slope toward the tree, and it was only then that Sidney realized they’d been holding hands the whole time. He lurched to go after Jonas, and Jonas held up his palm toward him without looking back. “Wait a moment, Sidney. You too, Father.” And with that, Sidney was left standing beside the vicar next to the wagon full of branches, and embarrassment returned.

“It’s alright, Mr. Quince,” Father Michaels said, apropos of nothing. “I’m well beyond being shocked by any bog-standard debauchery. Ascension parties cured me of my prudishness years ago.”

“Pardon?” Sidney arched an eyebrow. Debauchery at the Ascension parties? This was a new bit of information.

“It’s alright, my boy. I didn’t see anything. Even if I had, this is Rookwood’s land, and he’s?—”

“No, sorry,” Sidney shook his head. “I meant about the Ascension parties.”

“Aren’t you…?” Father Michaels asked, frowning at Sidney’s confusion. “I assumed you knew.”

“Knew what?”

“About the Ascension party. About the—” he stopped and glanced up the hill at Jonas, his brow furrowing. Sidney pursed his lips.

“Father?”

“Never mind.” Father Michaels shook his head as Jonas started back down the hill toward them.

This Ascension party, that according to Ellery Van Ahlberg, Jonas never went to, was becoming more curious by the minute. The pictures he’d seen hadn’t looked all that different from any other party Sidney had been to in his life. But then it was a gathering to celebrate the opening of portals into other realms, and what did that mean, exactly?

“It’s strange,” Jonas said, clearly referring to the tree, as he got closer. “Do you mind if I keep an eye on it for a bit?”

“Not at all,” Father Michaels shook his head.

“Could you write me up a bit about the starlings. Or the not-starlings, I suppose. Just what makes them different from the normal ones.”

“Of course,” Father Michaels agreed. “I’ll have it done by the time you boys have chopped up that branch for me.”

Sidney tried to listen to their conversation as they walked up the hill toward the church, but he couldn’t stop looking at Jonas. For every bit of knowledge Sidney gained about Jonas and the world of magic he inhabited, it seemed like Sidney also gained about six more questions. Everyone assumed he already knew what was happening, or they were actively keeping things from him, and he couldn’t always pick out which was which. Unfortunately, there wasn’t time to dwell on any of that, as the branch that had come down in front of the rectory was quite large, and was going to take some serious effort to hack apart.