Page 93 of Feathers and Thorns

“Oh, fuck off,” Soren replied, shoving her.

“For the record, I hope you know I have seen the change in you.” Enara’s tone took on a serious edge. “I noticed you haven’t been drinking as much and, apart from the stress of our circumstances, you seem to be handling things better than before.”

“I don’t feel the need to drink as much now,” Soren replied. “It kind of lost its charm, I guess.”

“Well, whatever it is, I’m glad.” Enara gave her a comforting smile before giving Soren a hard smack on her butt.

“Ow! What the hell, Enara?” Soren screeched, rubbing her behind.

“Let’s go!” her friend replied, flashing her teeth. “First to complete a lap and three takedowns has to give the other a foot rub.”

“Oh, hell no,” Soren replied, swiping a foot out and tripping Enara. She landed with an oof, and Soren took off running.

“You’ll pay for that!” Enara yelled, chasing after her.

The two women spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying some much-needed quality time together. They talked about their favorite moments and memories, wanting to focus on happier times. When they pulled aside the canvas to the mess tent for dinner, their hearts were a little lighter.

Enara took her place beside Baz, and Soren took hers next to Rook. She wasn’t sure what they had gotten up to all day, but she had seen the two of them training with Jai and Erick earlier.

“So, how is everyone feeling?” Baz asked, trying to break the ice. It was the elephant in the room. No one wanted to talk about the fact that they could all be dead tomorrow.

“I’ve been better,” Rook replied between bites of his roast beef.

Mrs. Ferndale and Adaryn had gone all out for their final dinner before the fight started. There was the rosemary-crusted beef tenderloin that Rook was indulging in and seared pheasant legs for those who did not eat beef. Honey-roasted carrots and creamy mashed potatoes were laid out in large troughs atop the wooden tables. Soren couldn’t believe that the vegetables had been from a jar by how well they were prepared. Her mouth had been salivating as she and Enara waited to fill their plates in the buffet line.

They scarfed down their food with such intensity that Baz and Rook gaped at them with open mouths. For once, Rook didn’t admonish Soren for her manners. She guessed he figured manners didn’t mean much in times of war.

They chased down their final supper with a pale ale from Erick’s personal stores.

“It’s a good thing they didn’t bring this out last night,” Baz remarked between sips. “There would be none left.”

“I prefer something stronger,” Rook replied, grimacing at his cup after taking a swig. “It tastes like dog piss.”

“Well, sorry we don’t all have your refined tastes,” Enara jabbed, but it was all bark and no bite.

“Yeah, well,” Rook replied, sitting back lazily against the pew, “we can’t all be this perfect.”

Enara raised her brow, and Soren and Baz burst out laughing.

“Yeah, okay,” Soren managed between snorts.

“I didn’t hear you complaining last night,” Rook said, his eyes darkening. His voice was devoid of all humor now, and he looked hungry, but not for food.

Soren swallowed as a blush creeped up her chest to color her cheeks.

“Anyway,” Baz said, cutting through the sexual tension that had been building between them, “anyone have final thoughts on how tomorrow is going to go down?”

Enara shook her head.

“I know Jai planned on organizing the battalions at first light so we can be ready for anything,” Rook said, turning his attention back to the group.

“On the plus side, the kestrels will be at a disadvantage because we will see them coming from a mile away,” Soren commented, trying to force down a few more glazed carrots. Her appetite had suddenly left her, and she shifted her food around on her plate.

“Yeah, I think Jai definitely made the right choice to wage the battle here instead of the mountains. They have no place to hide now,” Baz said.

“Yeah, but neither do we,” Soren whispered.

“We will manage,” Enara said, sounding stronger than she looked. She had the same doubts Soren did but voicing them would only make everyone feel worse.

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