Page 162 of Hidden Kingdoms

Now what the fuck do I do?

Edging through the crowd, I aimed to get closer to the fire before deciding on what to do next. I wasn’t one for parties, or people in general. It was Polly who was at ease in these situations. She could breeze through throwing out her warm smiles and finding something to talk about with anyone who came along.

And they would come. Polly was like a beacon of sunshine, and being around her, that warmth sunk into you. I had always been quieter, more reserved. I often wondered who I would have become had she not found me that day in the playground. Her offer of friendship so innocently genuine, it had changed both our lives.

My heart grew heavy as I pictured her; how much had Nanna told her? How much did Nanna even know?

Making it to the low logs grouped around the biggest fire, I took the seat nearest to the flames, eager to let its warmth chase away the chill air and the ache in my chest. Staring into the blazing wood that sat red-hot at its base, the music and drone of voices became a comforting blanket of noise, and whatever it was I had drank from Alouette’s flask worked through me, rounding a little of those sharp edges.

The air around me stirred as a wind picked up the strands of white hair that trailed down my back, its touch familiar. On instinct, I turned, my eyes locking on the treeline at the far edge of the clearing, but the light from the fire cast it in nothing but darkness as I willed my sight to see past the glare.

Sticks crunched a few feet away, and I turned back, hair falling gently into place as I looked up to see a face out of the many here that Iwasfamiliar with.

Lev sat on the worn log, a glass bottle held in one hand, keeping distance between us as the burning wood crackled. I let my eyes wander over him, at the dark uniform that made his pale skin even lighter, the insignia badge sewn on his chest similar to the one I’d seen Alouette wear.

“You looked a little lost.” His smile was genuine, warm brown eyes crinkling.

“Yeah, that about sums this up.”

I shivered a little, wondering where I could grab a coat from the next time I ventured out. “How are none of you in coats?”

Lev frowned for a second in confusion, glancing down at himself before he let out a knowing laugh.

“When you’re from Incaendium, you tend to run a bit hotter than most, especially during the warmer months. It’s easy to forget that not everyone is like that. Especially here.” He twisted around as if looking for something before he began tugging at a grey checkered blanket that had been draped over the wooden log next to him.

He shook it out, dislodging mud and leaves and a few sticks before handing it to me with a small smile. “It’s better than nothing.”

Gratefully, I took it, draping it around myself and tucking it in tight.

“How are you, after, you know, everything the other day?” he asked too casually, eyes flicking to my back as I remembered he had seen me in the aftermath. Had seen the raw mess of my ragged wounds, had held me steady.

“It’s… healed.” I answered with a half-truth, twisting at the gold rings on my fingers.

I wasn’t about to go into the fragile state of my mind sitting by the fire with a soldier I didn’t know. He nodded as I pulled at the blanket by my collar.

“What’s all this for, anyway?” I gestured to the others, the buzz of conversation peppered with laughter. The sky now dark enough that only the crescent moon and firelight lit the clearing.

“Tonight is Meirskajatrist. Technically it’s to celebrate when Suri’s temper raised Meirskja, but mostly it’s an excuse for the units to let off steam.” He left out what it was exactly they needed to blow off steam for, but we both knew.

“Meirskja?” I asked, the word unfamiliar.

“The volcano, the big one you can see no matter where you are. I know we’ve already met, but I’m Lev.” He held out his hand. “And I’m sure your name isn’t really Killer.”

The tension of a moment ago lifted as I laughed, gripping his hand with my own. “Elodie.”

“I kinda prefer Killer, if I’m honest.”

“That’s because it’s a top tier nickname,” came a voice from nearby, and I turned, an easy grin on my face as Alouette bumped her way past the nearest group of people, two drinks held in her hand. “But it’smynickname, Lev, so you’ll have to find your own.”

I didn’t bother asking how she had heard us, let alone over the noise, but I did roll my eyes at her as she sank down next to me.

“Please don’t.” I levelled a look at Lev who laughed in response.

“Drink up,” Alouette ordered, handing over one of the cups, and I took a cautious sip of the brown liquid, grimacing at the unfamiliar taste and the burn that confirmed its contents included some kind of alcohol.

“What in the gods is this?” Lev reached over, laying a hand on the side that I wasn’t holding, careful not to let our fingers touch.Arching a brow, I was about to ask what in the gods he was doing when heat spread around the cup warming my frozen fingers. The liquid bubbled just slightly before he pulled away.

“It’s better warm,” was all he said as he took a sip of his own drink. I followed suit, and while it still wasn’t great, it definitely was better.

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