Page 26 of Shadows in Bloom

“I received another communication from our village,” Kallistra continued. “I’ve informed them of our plans with this joband our hopes to bargain with a Fae thereafter. They were… hesitant.”

I crossed my arms in front of myself, but allowed her to continue.

“Our people do not have a pleasant history with the Fae. They are reluctant to allow me to strike a bargain. They would prefer we skip this job altogether and continue southbound toward the Sea of Sands. Apparently, they received word that Rajandi was where our priestess was last spotted.”

My heart dropped and my chest grew unbearably tight. “We can’t abandon this job.”

Kallistra raised a brow. “They have fronted us enough coin that we would be able to afford enough supplies for a fairly easy passage through the Bog. The desert may pose an issue, but I’m certain I can find a guide for a cheap price.”

“What’re you saying right now?” My tone came out sharper than intended. I rose from the bed. “Are you suggesting that we rob them and leave the three of them on their own?”

Kallistra spoke calmly, plainly. “We could travel with them through the Azog Bog. It will be safer in numbers, anyway. When we arrive at the cave, we will simply continue south without them. We can leave in the night while it’s our turn on watch.”

“Are you joking?”

She tilted her head. “What’s gotten into you, Nairu?” She shoved her dagger back into its leather holster. “We’ve alwaysdone what it takes to survive. Lying, cheating, stealing. Whatever it takes to do what needs to be done for our people.”

“Never to this extent,” I hissed. “We’ve skipped out on tabs to secure a meal for a night. We’ve sneaked into the back of wagons for a free ride. We’ve never left people for dead!”

“I knew getting involved with that lot was going to complicate things unnecessarily. You are getting attached to people we are never going to see again. They were always just a stepping stone on our path, Nairu.” She stood from the bed and folded her arms, frowning. “This pilgrimage will get harder before it gets easier. Are you losing your will to fight?”

“No. I’m not.” I did not shy away from her as I knew she hoped I would.

“So, why are you behaving this way?”

I turned on my heel, looking back at her only once. “This is what having a backbone looks like. Is it not to your liking?”

And then I slammed the door. So much for reconciliation.

Chapter 12

Iwas fuming as I rushed down the stairs toward the bar area of the tavern. My magic was stirring under my skin in response to the heightened emotions. Tingling at the tips of my fingers, itching to get out. I took a deep breath to calm myself and scanned the room. It was particularly packed tonight, but I spotted Kaz at the same time he spotted me, and he waved me over with a huge grin.

“Nairu!” He rose from his seat and wrapped me in a hug so tight I could’ve burst. My sputtering coughs prompted him to release me. “I’ve not seen much of you these past days. Come share a drink with me, my girl.”

“I would love to.” I smiled. Something about Kaz made it impossible to maintain a bad mood.

“Alandris and Zorinna should be down at any moment. Figured we would have a celebratory drink before our big daytomorrow. I was just about to check if you and Kallistra would join us.”

My face fell, and despite my attempts to hide it, Kaz tilted his head in question. “I don’t think she will be up for it tonight.”

He thankfully didn’t question it further. “No matter. Let’s have a great night!”

Kaz pushed his tankard of ale forward to press to mine, and upon realizing I didn’t yet have one of my own, made a face of abject horror. He turned to the barkeep in an instant and shouted in an impressively loud voice, “An ale for the girl!”

The dark amber liquid was horribly bitter and stronger than anything I was used to. I recoiled as it hit my tongue, giving my best effort to stop the grimace from rising to my face. I didn’t want to offend Kaz for his selection, nor the barkeep who still lingered nearby. Another gulp. Nope. Still awful. That time I couldn’t help myself—I stuck out my tongue as a guttural noise left my throat.

A hand landed on my shoulder. “Kaz, what are you doing to the poor girl? That ale is no better than sewer water,” Alandris said, taking a seat at my side and smiling from ear to ear despite the earlier awkwardness between us.

Kaz pointed a figure at him. “It’s not about the taste. It’s about the journey.”

Alandris winced and gave me a look of pity. “I’ll order meads for the three of us,” he said, looking between Zorinna, who had sat down beside Kaz, and me. “For such a small town, the one here is not bad. Fairly sweet.”

“Sweet sounds much better.” I pushed my mostly full tankard toward Kaz. “I hope you won’t mind finishing this off for me?”

Kaz’s only response was to slam the tankard down on the table before tilting it back and drinking it down to the dregs in a matter of seconds.

The meads arrived shortly after Alandris snagged the barkeep. As promised, the flavor was significantly sweeter than the ale, and I found myself gulping down several mouthfuls in an attempt to rid myself of the earlier taste I’d forced myself to endure. It was fruity and rich, with a pleasant undertone of honey. If Kallistra saw me drinking like this, she’d have an absolute fit. The thought had me taking another long, rebellious gulp.

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