Page 78 of A Kingdom of Fire and Fury
“Don’t thank me for that. It’s human decency.”
But it wasn't. It was so far beyond that. But like the coward I was, I couldn’t bring myself to tell him that.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
As relieved as I was to get out of training for tomorrow, I wished I’d be able to join patrols. But the point of the mission was to see if I attracted gryphons which meant I was essentially grounded. I sighed from my spot by the campfire. Umara lay behind me, blowing smoke at my back to express her irritation. When the others returned, she actually blew flames my way. I scowled at her. “I didn’t ask to fall down or be bait.” She blew another flaming ball at me right in the face. “I didn’t make the plan!”
Umara growled low and dipped her head on her paws. Her eyes remained alert, scanning the area. I knew she was worried about the gryphons. She wouldn’t fly away, even if it’d be better for both of our moods if she did.
Kieran smirked as he put away our leftover dinner—deer meat he’d hunted earlier as well as some dried fruits. “If you all insist on drinking, I won’t be cooking anything in the morning nor will I go easier on you in training. Consider that your motivation to not be a moron.”
“I need a drink to bear this,” Aurelia grumbled.
Nimue smiled and grabbed some cups from Ben’ssatchel as well as several bottles of shocha. Ben watched with an exaggerated pout and glanced at Kieran pointedly.
Kieran’s jaw flexed. “Do you want to be put on watch duty second? I’ll gladly sign you up for the middle of the night.”
“No,” Ben said with another exhale.
“At this point you’re asking for punishment laps.” Nimue snickered and handed me a mug full of shocha with a wink.
Kieran barked at us not to drink around the fire, so we moved away from it and gathered in a half circle outside of our campsite after grabbing some logs to sit on. I looked up at the night sky and all the stars glittering down. Was Clara looking up at them right now?
“No getting sad.” Nimue nudged my side and smiled. “It’ll work out, Selena.”
I took a gulp of shocha, grimacing at the taste. Luck was never on my side. I wouldn’t count on it. But Nimue was right. At least I had the shocha to dull my worries.
“Another round!” Ben called and grabbed the bottle from Nimue. He refilled all our mugs and stopped before Gareth’s empty one. “Drink with them. Let me live vicariously through you.”
“I’ll pass.”
“Come on. For me. Please, Gareth?” Gareth huffed and held out his mug. “Yessss,” Ben cheered as he filled it to the brim. “No one take a sip yet. We need to doa group sip! Even, you, O Fearless Captain. Don’t be a stick in the mud. We’ll drink water.”
My brows shot up when Kieran moved from his spot against the tree and strolled over to us. Kieran swished his hand, and a canteen appeared in his and Gareth’s hands. I almost couldn’t believe what I was seeing. With Ben’s urging, we stood in a close circle.
“To figuring shit out,” Ben cheered, and we pressed our mugs and canteens together. I swallowed another large gulp, relishing in the burn and fuzziness that followed.
After that, we sat back down. Kieran moved to my right with Gareth by his side. Nimue sat on my left. Ben continued to play barkeep and made sure to fill our drinks. The tension in my shoulders eased with each sip I took. Fuck worrying about my fate. For tonight, I’d shove it all aside. And with that in mind, it was easier to smile and laugh with the others.
After a while of joking around, Ben returned from his trip to his tent with a guitar in hand. “You can’t have a party without some music,” he said.
Gareth blinked, his blush obvious on his pale skin. “But you can’t play.”
Ben grinned broadly. “But you can.”
Gareth’s blush deepened. His eyes wandered to Kieran, whose leg kept brushing mine. I had no clue what those two were communicating, but it ended with Gareth nodding and taking the offered guitar. He set down his mug and began to strum the strings. A calm melody washed over our group, but it ended abruptly when Ben booed.
“Beautiful, but not tavern music. Don’t make me start singing.”
Gareth laughed. “We wouldn’t want that.” This time when he started again, it was to a more upbeat rhythm.
“That’s more like it.” Ben strode over to Nimue and offered his palm. Nimue laughed but took it. As they danced around us, off beat but energetic, Nimue began to sing. My lips curved into a smile. She had a nice voice, one that immediately drew our attention. Even Aurelia paused her pouting to watch.
Watching them all laugh and have fun… “I didn’t think it’d be like this.” I gave into the urge to stretch my legs out and further bumped my leg against Kieran’s. I laughed. Who would’ve thought these nobles could party?
“Don’t go overboard,” Kieran warned. But it wasn’t like that first time at the tavern. There was no harsh judgment. Only concern.
I took another gulp. “I know my limits.”
