Page 138 of The Other Side

This one was dominated by a wall of double-height windows looking out over a calm blue sea that shimmered beneath afternoon sunlight.

Drum released a choked laugh. “Can you actually get to that sea?”

“When the tide is in,” Mikkel replied. “I’ve persuaded it to stay closer because I enjoy the view. I change the scenery every so often.”

Drum looked back towards the hall. It already seemed different. Corridors branched away where he was certain there hadn’t been any moments before. Somewhere deep within the house came the gentle splash of running water, echoing through rooms that shouldn’t have fitted inside such a modest-looking cottage.

The place wasn’t merely bigger on the inside. It refused to obey the idea of inside altogether.

Mikkel led them to a seating area arranged around a low oak table. Three deep sectional sofas surrounded it in a loose U-shape.

“Help yourselves.”

Fresh coffee already waited on the table, steaming gently as though it had anticipated their arrival. Did this guy know everything?

Drum picked up the pot. “Would you like one too?”

“I’m fine, thanks.”

Drum poured two mugs, handed one to Osian, and they settled opposite Mikkel.

Mikkel studied Drum for a moment before nodding. “You’re looking much better.”

“I am.” Drum smiled. “Thanks to Kit. Apparently, I was bleeding to death. I should have stayed in the hospital.” He sighed. “No, I did the right thing leaving. I might have died if I’d stayed.”

“You might,” Mikkel said. “Did he also help the young man he’d like to live here with him?”

Drum nodded.

A faint smile crossed Mikkel’s face. “He’s never asked me before if he could heal someone. He doesn’t need to ask, though he felt he should. You two are the first he’s helped since he moved here.”

“He understands the consequences,” Osian said. “Healing isn’t just about fixing a body. It changes a person’s life. Then there are repercussions.”

Mikkel leaned back. “Which is exactly why I said yes.” He looked between them. “I’m pleased for Will. He’s very special in ways that he doesn’t yet understand. Sparlow should be his home if that’s what he wants. Now that his condition no longer defines what he can or can’t do, he deserves the freedom to choose the life he’ll build here—and how he wishes to contribute to the community.”

“He’ll appreciate that,” Osian said.

“I hope so.” Mikkel’s expression softened. “No one should spend their life believing they’re only as valuable as their limitations.”

Silence settled for a moment, broken only by the distant rush of unseen water.

Drum wrapped both hands around his mug. “So…” He glanced around the impossible house. “How many rooms does this place actually have?”

Mikkel considered the question as though he’d never really counted. “At the moment? Enough.”

“At the moment?”

“It grows when it needs to.”

Drum blinked. “The house decides?”

“Sometimes.” Mikkel shrugged. “Sometimes I do. We’ve lived together for a very long time.”

Drum wasn’t entirely certain whether or not Mikkel was joking. Judging by the look on Osian’s face, neither was he.

“You can stay in Sparlow as long as you want. Live in that house until you decide what you’d like to do. Perhaps build your own, find work here or outside that you can do. Buy a car. Go on holiday. Plan a future together. Be happy.”

The room seemed to expand slightly, as if the house itself were drawing in a satisfied breath at the sentiment, yet also waiting for their reaction. Drum stared into his mug, the sheer, staggering weight of being able to have a future with Osian settling over him.