Page 28 of Shadows in Bloom

Alandris didn’t move, but Kaz was on his feet in an instant, his hand firmly on his blade. “Watch yourself. I don’t take kindly to threats toward my friends.”

The barmaid’s shout echoed from the bar, so loudly most of the patrons hushed their voices. “KAZ, IF YOU CRIPPLE ANOTHER MAN IN MY BAR, I SWEAR TO THE MOTHER I WILL BEAT YOU WITHIN AN INCH OF YOUR LIFE!”

Evander moved to his friend’s side, grabbing the man by the arm. “We were just leaving.”

There was a long silence, during which Kaz remained standing, waiting until the two men had exited the tavern and the door had closed behind them, before he relaxed. Alandris was the same—his gaze following the men, and one hand still curved around me, until he deemed it safe and released me.

Zorinna, who had been quietly watching during the entire exchange, only shook her head, clicking her tongue ever so slowly. “Ugh, men. Leave it to them to spoila good night.”

“Nairu, can you stand?” Alandris leaned in to ask.

My legs were like jelly, but I made an attempt, nonetheless. I thought I’d done a decent job, but given the fact that Alandris’ arm was at my back, bracing my weight a half second later, I supposed I did not.

Kaz burst into laughter. “Gods, the girl is a complete lightweight. Shall I throw you over my shoulder and take you to your room?”

That sounded abysmal for two reasons. For one, the thought of being jerked around so much was making my stomach whirl. And the other, significantly more important reason, was that Kallistra would catch me… indisposed. As much fun as I was having pushing her buttons without her knowing, I didn’t intend to expose what I’d done while I could hardly stand or defend myself.

“No! No, can’t go to Kallistra,” I managed.

At that moment, two heads turned to Zorinna.

“Oh, you have got to be kidding me,” Zorinna whined. “Why me? Why?”

“Zorinna,” I slurred her name, a beaming smile on my face.

She grimaced at me before looking between Alandris and Kaz. “Please don’t do this to me.”

Kaz patted her shoulder. “We thank you. Your sacrifice will not go unnoticed.”

“I hate you. Both of you.”

The following events were a blur that I was only half cognizant of. Alandris had assisted me up the stairs, or perhapsit was Kaz… although, it may have been both males. They’d hoisted me into the bed of a particularly grumpy Elven beauty. After the males left, said beauty spent a good amount of time cursing and attempting to wrangle me out of my leathers and into a nightgown that felt far more luxurious than anything I’d ever had draped over my body. Then, the room went dark, or perhaps I’d closed my eyes, but either way, I’d quickly drifted to sleep.

Chapter 13

When I woke in an unfamiliar room, my mouth as dry as sand, coated in something foul, and my head throbbing in agony, I knew only one thing—I would never drink again. Upon further inspection, I was able to infer that I was in Zorinna’s room. The fine clothes and jewelry laying atop the dresser were decent indicators, though the head full of wine red hair just to my right was the dead giveaway.

My stirring had apparently roused her from her slumber, as she grumbled incoherently and propped herself up on her elbows. The vicious glare sent my way had me shrinking and wrapping my arms around myself. Why was I in Zorinna’s room? The more I tried to recall, the more my head screamed in protest.

“I’ll have you know,” she started in a deep voice, still groggy with sleep. “I have never once had to strip and dress anotherbeing… not even my idiot, lush of a brother, who frequented the taverns of Val’Naeris so often he’d have been better off living there.”

My cheeks burned—a mixture of shame and embarrassment over her seeing me nude, or extremely close to nude, at least. “I am so sorry, Zorinna.”

“I won’t mention it to Kallistra, so stop giving me that sad little face.” She pulled the covers off of herself and slid off the front of the bed so that she wouldn’t have to crawl over me. “Next time a creepy guy won’t leave you alone, you grab your dagger and stab him right in the thigh. Got it?” She made a show of the motion and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Yes, I understand.” I remembered most of the encounter with Silas and Evander. It was after that bit that I couldn’t recall as clearly…

Silas’ incessant questioning had been odd and certainly bordering on pushy, but I had not gleaned anything dangerous about him. It wasn’t until he’d spoken to Alandris so gruffly and had attempted to grab for me that I’d recognized something was off with him.

Perhaps he’d intended to separate me from my friends so he could rob me. He wouldn’t have gotten much. Though, I suppose that may have angered him to the point of violence, considering how quick he was to reach for his sword. I was relieved that I hadn’t been left alone.

“You owe Alandris and Kaz your apologies as well,” Zorinna said, removing her nightgown and shimmying into herleathers. I diverted my gaze. “I’m pretty sure Alandris set that pathetic man’s hand on fire. And Kaz was about to chop his head clean off of his shoulders. Oh, that would have been delightful to watch.” She remembered herself. “But apologize!”

“God…”

“I would’ve stepped in,” she added, “but they seemed to have it under control, so I figured I’d enjoy the show. My methods would have been quite a bit more bloody, anyway. Definitely would have gotten us kicked out of the inn.”

I dragged my hands down my face, burying my head in them. This was horror. Absolute horror.

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