Page 52 of Wings of Ash & Flame
“Do they throw parties like this in Lyra?” Alaire asked, trying not to gape.
“Oh, they do,” Kaia replied, slowing as they neared the bar. “Ones that make this look like a child threw it together. It’s just… been a while since I’ve been to one.”
Alaire chewed her lip, noting the sudden tightness in Kaia’s posture. “We don’t have to stay. We can head back. I have a book calling my name.” She offered a small smile.
“You and your books.” Kaia rolled her eyes. “Don’t be silly. We’re not leaving. We look too stunning to waste all this effort. Unless”—her grin sharpened—“someone else is going to be helping you out of that outfit.”
Now it was Alaire’s turn to roll her eyes.
When they finally reached the front of the line at the bar, Alaire ordered a drink called Nebula’s Brew. It was a rich, dark hue, like the void between the stars. Each house had a wine to sample, its effects labeled as something to betaken at one’s own peril…Nebula’s Brew came from House Cerebral, but she skipped reading the label. Tonight, she was feeling daring.
“Ky, what do you want?”
Kaia shook her head, scanning the crowd. “I’m good for now. I want to dance first—later, though.”
Alaire frowned at the bartender as he handed her the glass, barely a quarter full. “Is this the right amount?”
He gave her a rakish smile. “That’s all you need. Down it in one gulp—it’s meant to be consumed, not sipped.” He winked. “Trust me, you’ll feel it.”
Kaia chuckled. “Bottoms up.”
Alaire winced as the bitter aftertaste burned down her throat. It tasted like crushed berries and pepper. She barely had time to process it before the room tilted. “That was gross,” she muttered as her vision blurred at the edges and a slow wave of dizziness crept over her. She clutched the empty glass, unsteady.
The bartender was right.
Her legs felt simultaneously light and heavy, the floor swaying beneath her feet. She stumbled toward Kaia, who caught her by the elbow.
“Whoa there. First time having fae wine?” Kaia asked, steadying her.
Alaire nodded, swallowing hard as the room spun in dizzying spirals of color and sound. Words came slow and thick.
“It’s a lot more potent than what humans usually serve in taverns,” Kaia admitted, worry flickering in her eyes. “Sorry—I probably should’ve warned you.”
“Woulda been… hepful.” Alaire clung to Kaia, her body refusing to cooperate.
“You should’ve read the effects. The wine from House Cerebral targets the nervous system—it heightens every sensation. Makes your body feel light and unsteady while your thoughts spin out of control.”
Alaire blinked slowly, trying to focus on Kaia’s face. “Missssssion accomplishhhh,” she croaked. “Who needa legssss anyway?”
Kaia grabbed a thick slice of sweet bread from a nearby spread and shoved it into Alaire’s mouth. “This should help take the edge off.”
Alaire leaned back against the wall, closing her eyes as she chewed frantically. Food in her stomach helped soak up some of the wine’s potency. She ate five slices before the spinning eased, leaving only a syrupy warmth running through her veins.
When she opened her eyes, Caius stood over them, glaring. His white hair and leathers looked out of place in the sea of silks and jewel tones.
“Sampling the local poison, are we?” Caius asked dryly, eyeing the empty glass in Alaire’s hand.
She tried to scowl, but with the wine still clouding her head, it came out more like a grimace. “Do ya popppp outta shadows offffen?”
Kaia wrinkled her nose. “He’s lurking. It’s what he does best. Isn’t that right, Caius?”
“I find lurking exceedingly effective.” A ghost of a smile crossed his face.
Alaire leaned into his personal space, squinting at him. “Whadda ya waffle, Caius?”
He arched a brow. “I was curious how you were doing after your last match. I heard Dawson had to intervene. The entire academy’s talking about it.”
Alaire tried to shove more bread in her mouth but hit her cheek instead. “Curiosly killllled the horse… orrr wasida deer?” She tried to raise an eyebrow, only to end up waggling them both.
