by Candy Crum
“Liam,” she said into the darkness, “I feel so lost without them here. I wish you could have met Arryn. She’s just like our little girl would have been.”
She took an unsteady, deep breath, the air catching in her chest and throat several times as she fought more tears.
“They’re off on their own, and I’m stuck here. I’m doing nothing. Wading in our spot. What good is that going to do?”
She exhaled hard as she stared at the flowers. The wind blew, chilling her skin where the cold water had touched it.
As she stood there, she closed her eyes, once again focusing on the water massaging her tense body. Her stress began to melt away and her thoughts slowed down, becoming clearer to her.
Elysia was intoxicated. Everything swirled around her, but her current state mixed with the calmness she felt gave her an idea—one she wished she’d had earlier.
Her eyes snapped open as a smile spread across her lips. “I can find out what kind of situation they’re going into.”
As if lightning had struck her brain, Elysia’s eyes flashed green for a moment. The water immediately swirled around her, thrusting her from it. She gracefully landed on her feet, rushing to grab her clothes and get dressed.
Once she was finished, she called Chaos through the bond. She needed to go to the northern village—to see the Schatten. There were several in the southern village now with the threats upon them, but there were a couple in particular she wanted to see.
If Elysia planned to sneak into Arcadia to spy on the enemy, she would need someone with her who had the expertise required for such a mission. Luckily for her, she had just the two for the job.
10
Cathillian leaned over to Amelia and quietly asked, “How many is that?”
Amelia laughed. “Uh, well, my mind isn’t the most reliable at the moment, but I think that’s four shots of the hard stuff, and she just finished her fourth beer. But it’s rearick beer, so it’s stronger than any other kind of ale.”
Cathillian hissed. “Yeah, that’s gonna hurt in the morning.”
“The betterrr question, ‘thillian,” Arryn slurred, “is why aren’t you drinkin’?”
He laughed and lifted his own mug of brew. “I have been, dear. You just haven’t noticed. You’ve been too wrapped up.”
She eyed him suspiciously before holding out her hand. “Gimme the mug. I’m bettin’ there ain’t nothin’ innit.”
With a shake of his head and a smile, Cathillian handed her the mug. “See? It’s half-full.”
Arryn looked into the mug the same way she had looked at him a moment ago—suspiciously. “No,” she said, shaking her head, “there’s nothin’ innit.”
Cathillian opened his mouth to argue, but she tipped the mug back and drained its contents before handing it back to him, using her free arm to wipe the drips from her mouth and chin.
“See?” she said with a big smile. “It’s empty.”
Samuel slapped the table hard, howling in laughter as Arryn joined him. They leaned toward each other, laughing vigorously at the joke.
The rest of the table joined in, but not quite as heartily as Arryn and Samuel.
“That’s my girl!” Samuel shouted, clapping Arryn on the back. He shoved a fist into the air. “Another round!”
“I want another shot,” Celine said, lifting her hand as well.
“That’s the spirit!” Samuel said. He looked at Cathillian. “These girls beat our arses taday on the battlefield, lad. Don’t let ‘em beat ye in drink, too.”
“Pffft.” Arryn made the noise and got another round of laughter. “He told you!”
Cathillian narrowed his eyes as he leaned toward her, putting his mouth next to her ear. “Try standing. Let’s see if I can beat you at that.”
Arryn jerked away, giving him an evil look which he met with amusement. “Dick.”
A drunk rearick woman stumbled across the bar, finding a seat on Samuel’s lap. Arryn’s eyes widened as she looked at him, giggling at his shocked “What the hell is happening right now, and what can I do to stop it?” expression.
“Lass, what’s yer name?” the woman asked.
Arryn opened her mouth to speak, but a healthy belch came out instead. Her eyes widened as her hands clapped over her mouth. The woman in front of her, as well as the rest of the girls at the table, lifted their hands in a cheer.
Arryn laughed. “Sorry ‘bout that.” She shook her head a bit. “Arryn’s the name.”
“Hey,” Samuel chimed in. “I dunno who ye are, but yer arse is diggin’ inta me leg. Up with ye.”
Using the table for support, the drunk rearick woman stood, ignoring Samuel as if he really were a chair.
“Ye should fight me,” the woman offered.
Cathillian’s eyes widened, but Arryn only smiled. “Hell, yeah! Now I’m oneofem!” she said, her words blending together.
“I figger if ye can drink with ol’ Sam here, ye might be able ta fight, too,” the woman said.
“Who are you?” Samuel asked, a confused grimace on his face.
The lady rearick turned, her hands on her hips and a knowing expression on her face. The moment she did, “ol’ Sam” turned white as a ghost.
“Ah, ye ‘member me now, ye old goat?” she asked.
He nodded, a sigh escaping him. “I remember, ye succubus. Get outta here.”
The whole table laughed hard. “An old girlfriend of yours?” Celine asked with amusement.
Arryn had never before seen the shade of red Samuel’s cheeks turned right then, and his eyes dropped to the floor.
The rearick woman laughed. “Sally’s the name, but everyone calls me Sal. ‘Girlfriend’ is a bit strong of a word there, lass. Sam here got a wee bit shit-faced and wound up in me bed.”
“Eh, shut it, Salamander. Go pester another table,” Samuel spat. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, avoiding eye contact with anyone.
Arryn knew Samuel had a thing for Celine, whether or not he wanted to admit it. Recognizing the silent call for help, even in her drunken haze, she decided to save her friend.
Arryn jumped up, immediately regretting the decision as the room began to spin even faster than it had a second before. “Sal! How about that fight? Let’s go outside.”
“Outside?” the woman said, laughing hard.
Without warning Sal threw a right hook, hitting Arryn straight in the jaw and knocking her off-balance. She hit the floor—after hitting several chairs on the way down—with a loud oof!
The bar cheered, everyone immediately drawn to the brawl. Cathillian and the rest of their table jumped to their feet, concerned about their highly intoxicated friend on the floor.
Reaching up, Arryn wiped blood away from her mouth. As she looked at it, she smiled.
“That fancy footwork ye have won’t work in here, lass,” Samuel said. “Things’re different.”
Arryn looked from the blood on her hand to the opponent smiling down at her. “Fun.”
Arryn climbed to her feet, using whatever she could for balance as she squared her stance. She raised her fists in front of her face for protection, and judged her opponent.
She’d had enough of real fighting and training. This was for fun, and nothing else. Everything had excited her lately. Going out on another adventure. The thrill of battle. The plan to get drunk and let loose in a town she had never been in. And now, a bar brawl with a seemingly friendly woman she had never met.
Sal threw another punch, but this time Arryn dodged to the right, throwing a punch of her own into the rearick’s ribs. The woman stumbled back a few steps, and Arryn smiled darkly as she dropped her hands.
She heard Cathillian shouting something about getting them back up, but she didn’t care. That wasn’t the plan.
Without a care for being inside or any of the people standing around, Arryn charged the woman, plowing her shoulder into the woman’s stomach and wrapping her arms around her as she lifted her and tackled her onto a table several feet behin
d her.
Glasses flew everywhere, shattering as the table broke under their weight. Both women hit the floor.
Arryn took another punch to the face before throwing her head forward and breaking the rearick woman’s nose.
Samuel cheered and began taking bets on “the skinny one.” Of course, no native in the bar other than Samuel bet against Sally, but that was what he had hoped for.
The women rolled around and threw punches every so often before separating and climbing to their feet. Arryn turned and grabbed a chair when she saw Sal reach for a mug.
Arryn swung, narrowly missing a patron watching from the sidelines before smashing it into Sal’s side. The rearick dropped the bottle and collapsed to her knees. Arryn rushed over and lifted her fist, punching the woman hard and slipping on part of the chair she had just broken.
Landing hard on the woman, Arryn thrust her forearm in the rearick’s throat, pinning her down to the floor.
“Relent,” Arryn said.
The woman tried to move, but between the effects of the alcohol and the fight itself she didn’t have the energy. Finally, she nodded, and Arryn collapsed next to her.
“The skinny one wins!” Samuel cheered.
There were mixed reviews, though everyone seemed impressed. Arryn and Sal looked at one another, and as soon as their eyes met, they began laughing. After struggling to roll onto her stomach, Arryn slowly climbed to her feet and helped Sal up.
“We need another round,” Sally said.
Arryn laughed. “All I can taste is my own blood. I think it’s time for me to quit.”
“Ah, so soon?” Samuel said. “But we were just gettin’ started, and everyone else is payin’ now that I have their coin.” He laughed at that last bit.
Cathillian looked at him incredulously. “Just getting started?” He pointed at Arryn. “Have you looked at her?”
“Is he always that whiny?” Sal asked.
Arryn laughed.
“Hey,” Cathillian said, his voice showing the offense he had taken. “I’m not whiny. I’m just tired. We had a long day, and…”
“Yep,” Sal said. “Definitely whiny.”
Arryn only laughed again. “Don’t be upset. But ya do sound a bit grrrouchy. You’ve been parental all night.”
Cathillian shook his head and smiled. “When did I become the adult between the two of us?”
Arryn’s brows lifted as she shrugged, her hands rising at her sides. “I dunno. Prolly the minnnute we crossed that threshold.” She looked around. “So, hey. I’m bout to puke ‘r pass out. I need a place to lie down.”
Samuel chuckled. “Well, let’s pay and get ye outta here.”
“Ya know,” Arryn said. “I’m not even sure I can make it wherrrever yer talkin’ about.”
“Shit. She’s really fucked up,” Cathillian said. “She’s starting to sound like you, Samuel.”
“Where’d ye think we picked up the accent, lad?” Samuel looked at Arryn. “All right, I’ll talk to the ‘keep. See if ye can stay here the night.”
“After ye destroyed the place?” one of the barmaids said from behind them.
Samuel shook a bag of coins. “I can pay fer it. It just so happens I’ve recently come into some money.”
The barmaid rolled her eyes. “Fine. She can stay.”
Samuel bowed, handing the woman the bag of coins before she walked away.
“I can’t believe you parted with your earnings,” Amelia said.
Samuel smiled, shaking another pouch he had hidden on his belt. “It was a really good bet. The girl’s a real cash cow—no offense.”
Arryn gave a lazy, limp wave of her hand. “Nonnne taken. How ‘bout that bed, hmm?”
She stumbled, but Cathillian caught her, immediately picking her up in his arms. Sal came by, nursing her swollen face with a wet cloth.
“Ye did good, lass. Ye can drink with me anytime,” Sal said.
Arryn smiled. “Thanks. I might come back sometime and take ya up on that.”
“Come on, my little adventurer. You’ve had a bit too much for one night,” Cathillian said. “But you did pretty well adapting to the rearick brawl-style fight. Good job.” He winked.
She smiled, snuggling into his chest before losing consciousness.
11
Pain.
So. Much. Pain.
“Dear fucking goddess,” Arryn groaned as she awoke to the sun blaring through a suddenly open window. It felt as though her eyes would explode. “Fuck, me. Would you turn that bitch off, please?”
There was a laugh from Cathillian. “What? The sun?”
Arryn groaned again as she rolled over and buried her face in her pillows, dragging the blanket over her head. “Yes! The sun. Make it go away.”
“Someone drank too much. Come on, it’s time to get up. They’re kicking you out of the inn. It’s well after noon.”
Shocked, Arryn threw back the blankets and looked at Cathillian, but regretted it as soon as she realized the sun hadn’t gone anywhere. Desperation filled her. Her stomach was roiling, and she knew she would throw up soon. She would need to be able to see to get outside, but Cathillian seemed too amused with himself to close the damned curtains.
The taste of bile hit the back of her throat as her adrenaline kicked in, urging her to move quickly or regret the consequences. She just needed a few more seconds…
“Are you serious right now? That’s just cheating,” Cathillian said.
The sun no longer a concern, Arryn jumped out of bed. Running to the window, she forced it open before hanging her head out and throwing up from the second story.
The sky was dark, her magic having responded to her shaky control well enough so the thick, dark clouds had formed overhead to shield her from the bright sun.
“So, uh…” Cathillian began, leaning against the wall just next to the window. “Abuse your power much?”
Arryn shook her head, restraining the urge to punch him because her stomach was fighting her again. “Shut it.” Her voice was low and forced.
“My question is, why did you conjure clouds instead of healing yourself of the sickness?”
Arryn pulled back just enough he could see her and shot him an angry look, but it faded when she realized she really had just taken the harder road. Her shoulders slumped.
“Because I couldn’t think straight. Bitch, this sucks,” she said.
He laughed. “Being a druid has its benefits, sweets. You get to nearly kill yourself drinking if you want and feel no hangover. Though, I would imagine with how sick you feel, that cloud coverage probably depleted ya pretty good, didn’t it?”
She groaned before pulling her head back in through the window and limply falling to the floor.
“Uhhh, make it go away,” she pleaded.
He stood there, looking down at her from his position leaning against the wall, his feet crossed at the ankles and arms crossed over his chest, smiling and shaking his head. “I have half a mind to let you suffer through this.”
“Oh, please,” she said with a sarcastic tone. “You only have half a mind as it is. Now do me a favor? If I heal myself I’ll have to take a nap—that’s how pathetic I am right now.”
Even with the pain she was in, she couldn’t help but find her situation humorous. She knew why Cathillian was being stubborn. She had fought hard the day before; they all had. She had needed a good rest, but instead she had chosen to stay up all night drinking with the rearick—not something that was wise under even the best of physical conditions.
On the way into Craigston, Arryn had fallen asleep and nearly slid off the back of her tiger several times, though Samuel had only had to intervene once. A nice, warm bed was what she had been most excited to reach, but when she thought of being in a new place with new people—good people, those that could be trusted—she just couldn’t help it. She had wanted to let go.
In the Dark Forest, she constantly felt the twin pressures of the imminent danger from Arcadia and from the dark d
ruids down south. It was hard for her to forget those. But here, where no one knew who she was and no one other than the people most important to her knew where she was, everything felt safe. Warm.
She felt comfortable.
It was exactly what she had needed, even if she was paying for it in the worst way just now. Truth be told, she probably would have handled it better if she’d had more practice being sick. Without that experience, any ache or pain from illness seemed like a death sentence.
“Pleeeease,” she begged. “I wanna be productive today.”
Cathillian laughed. “A favor, huh?” he asked, mischief in his voice.
“Oh, no. What do you want?” she asked.
“Better not ask him that,” Amelia said from the door. “Cathillian, I thought I told you not to torture her this morning.”
“Hey! We both know she’d do it to me. I just couldn’t help myself,” Cathillian replied.
Cathillian leaned down, gently placing his hand on her cheek. He felt so warm. Had she been cold?
He gave a smile and whispered, “You owe me, baby druid,” before his jade green eyes flashed brighter, his magic pulsing through her body and reviving her.
Within seconds, the headache, light and sound sensitivity, and her roiling nausea were all gone, only the memory of each left to torture her. His thumb stroked her cheekbone just under her eye before he winked and pulled away.
Arryn took the hand Cathillian extended for help and jumped to her feet, feeling much better than she had moments before.
“So, what are we getting into today?” Arryn asked.
“We all decided to take today and tonight to just relax,” Amelia told her.
“Echo joined us, and she confirms the dark druids really have headed west. She says they are moving slowly,” Cathillian said.
Amelia nodded. “Tomorrow morning, we’ll head up to the Heights. Samuel and Celine will be staying here in Craigston. It’s one hell of a climb, but it will be much easier after a full day and night of relaxing. Besides, I think you could use it.”
Arryn quirked a brow before nodding. “I suppose you’re right.”
