Page 5 of The Seventh Swan

He was in his greenhouse picking herbs when his nephew came running, crushing innocent basil and thyme in his haste. "Uncle! Uncle! There's a bird here to see you!"

Saveli dropped his lemongrass and mint. "What?"

"There's a big black bird in the fish pond! Mama says it's here to see you and to get you at once!"

It was hard to speak from the way his heart had jumped into his threat, but at least he managed. "I guess I had best go see what the swan has to say, then."

Nearly six months had passed since he had watched Oskar fly away. It had taken him most of that time just to get home, pulled away by one problem after another. He'd been home not quite three weeks, though every single day felt like a burden, and the ache in his chest never eased, no matter how distracted he tried to keep himself.

When he reached the private garden where the children loved to play, and his family often sat to get away from the muchness of court life, it was to find everyone gone. He had thought his family would be crowded around, eager and nosy like always, but it was only him.

Him and a beautiful black swan with fire in its depths.

"Good afternoon, Lord Oskar of the Pond."

The swan honked reprovingly at him—and then Oskar stood there, big and beautiful and sorely missed. Bathed in sunlight, he was more captivating than ever, and the happiness in his eyes was the finest thing that Saveli had ever seen.

He handed over his midnight cloak, though Oskar seemed unbothered by his nudity and the winter chill. "You did not tell me, Sorcerer, that the people in your story were royalty, and you a prince."

Saveli's mouth ticked up at one corner. "Did I forget to mention that?"

Oskar narrowed his eyes and moved closer. "You gave me your phoenix feather."

"You gave me your swan feathers. Magic requires sacrifice. You gave three pieces of your heart to the spell, and I gave one piece of mine."

Then watched as all the other pieces flew away without even looking back. "What brings you to my home, Lord of the Pond? Surely you must be Lord of the Lake by now."

"Lake? Sounds boring. I've seen countless lakes."

Oskar scoffed and moved closer. "I thought I might try for something more exciting, like a castle moat."

"Oh?"

Saveli asked lightly, heart racing. "I think there might be one of those lying around here."

His teasing faded as Oskar drew closer still. "You left."

"I thought you'd be there when I got back,"

Oskar said sadly. "I thought you knew that I would be back. Then I realized that was wiser, you leaving and waiting, while I learned to live and be me again these past six months, so I was whole when I finally saw you again. Still, I thought you would be there, and I was angry at myself that you weren't."

"You had your freedom, your sky and your water. I would never expect you to surrender those in any way, and I do not like to be selfish."

Oskar gave another scoff, imperious and lovely. "Well, I'm happy to be selfish. I want to be human, and a swan, and to have Saveli the Silverspun for my very own."

He rested a large, warm hand against the side of Saveli's face. "You are the loveliest thing I have ever seen, Saveli, and it shines from the very heart of you. I have been my worst before you since we met…"

"Not your worst, only drowning in pain. I am happy to see you happy."

"I would even happier if I was allowed to make a home here, of your moat and your bed, to return to you when I am finished flying and swimming for the day. To find you wherever you travel and keep you company."

Saveli closed the last remaining space between them. "I am happy to be your hearth, Oskar. It is good to have you home at last."

Oskar kissed him, and he tasted like cool, fresh water, and smelled like evergreen trees on the wind. His right hand was warm, and his left hand was cool, and he held Saveli like a flower the wind might blow away.

Saveli laughed with the joy of it as they drew apart. "Would you like to come see my rooms? We'll get you clothes, and I can show you the castle. You can meet my family and suffer through a proper dinner, and then afterward, perhaps I will take your clothes off again."

"I think that sounds a fine plan,"

Oskar said, and kissed him once more before taking hold of his hand with delicate metal fingers and squeezing gently. "Show me the way."

And Saveli did so, happily.