Page 34 of Feral Guardian
“I thought you were here for the jokes?” Pierre says.
“Well, I’m the only one tellin’ them and I’ve run outta those too!” I say. My tongue isn’t working as well as I’d like.
“I’m not sure we’d survive telling you some ofourjokes,” Duncan says as he eyes Alastair.
I pout up at my guard and he looks down at me with not a hint of amusement.
“Welp, thank you for the game, gentle—hic—meant, but I must be gone,” I say, slipping out of my chair.
“She’s gone already,” Lucas whispers to Pierre and they snicker.
Alastair’s hand is firm on my shoulder and keeps me from careening into the next table. I turn back and look at my new friends.
“Duncan, Lulu, Pierre, it was a lovely time losing to you,” I say with a deep curtsy that threatens to spill me onto the floor.
Alastair’s hands are firm on my waist and pull me upright.
“Goodnight, little imp,” Duncan says, waving me off. “I wish you and your companion the best.”
Alastair mumbles something I don’t catch as he leads me through the much-too-hot tavern to the stairs. I pump my dress to get some air in, but it’s no good. I’m sweating.
“Did you have fun?” Alastair asks as we begin the enormous trek to the third floor.
“Yes, thank you soverymuch for letting me enjoy my last bit of feardom.” My body sways as I climb, but Alastair’s grip is stable on my sides, keeping me from bumping the walls.
“I very much enjoyed the looks on their faces,” I say with a snort, remembering how Duncan seemed about ready to shit himself when I said seamen.
“Seamen.” I chuckle.
“Perhaps I should start calling you little imp. It’s apt,” Alastair says.
“Oh, a nickname! Yes!” I whirl to face him and realize just how much of my weight he’s holding. He’s still several inches taller than me though two stairs below me, and I have to look up to see him. “What should yours be?”
“I have no need for one,” he says.
“Pishposh,” I say, tapping his nose. “What about…Monster co—”
“Lilianna,” he snaps, his cheeks darkening.
I grin. “Monster conqueror. For all the monsters you’ve fought for me.”
He scowls and spins me around to face front again. The movement makes my stomach do a littleblepand my feet are all scrambled now. I put my hands out to stop myself from falling, but I don’t fall. And suddenly, there aren’t feet anymore. Wait, no, they’re just not on the ground. There they are hanging over Alastair’s arm.
“Little imp hadtoomuch fun,” Alastair mumbles.
“I had a perfectly good amount, thank you,” I say, leaning against his chest to make the world stop moving so much.
My eyes fall shut to stop the whirling, but the darkness doesn’t stop it, only intensifies it.
Maybe I did have too much fun.
Chapter eleven
Alastair
Lily’s hand is like fire against my chest, branding right down to my heart. She’s mumbling something about the world spinning and I slow my steps to our room, taking care not to turn too quickly. She really did herself in with that spiced rum.
I slip the key from my pocket and bend down awkwardly so I can keep cradling Lily as I work the lock. The ward I placed around the door shimmers as I step through, and I feel the ring on my right middle finger hum once in a low, soft tune, the one I set up to detect Lily’s movements.
