Page 22 of Riftborne
Osta had been right. The lounge wasn’t busy. A patron here orthere, but no crowds. As I settled back into my seat, foreign tendrils of comfort slipped into my mind. A part of me sank inside knowing that I wouldn’t have this opportunity with her again. I should have spent more time doing things like this—having fun outside the confines of our apartment. Guilt radiated through my core. She deserved a better friend than me.
Osta made her way to the table a few minutes later, two drinks in hand.The flutes were filled with shifting shades of lavender, swirling as bubbles sparkled up the sides of the glass.
“Shun says he’s calling this oneMoonlit Nectar.” Osta smiled, wiggling her eyebrows, and fell into the chair across from me, playfully sliding one of the drinks in my direction.
I lifted the glass to Osta’s, clinking it softly before taking a long sip. “Cheers!” Osta cooed.
It tasted floral and sweet as the bubbles rushed across my tongue. My body hummed in satisfaction.
“I told you it would be worth it to come here. They must put some sort of addictive substance in these things.” Osta had all but finished hers.
“Yes, I think that's called alcohol,” I joked, taking another sip.
Osta rolled her eyes behind her lashes, still smiling triumphantly. “You know what I mean,” she said. “After this week… We absolutely deserve this. I didn’t think I’d survive Thearna.”
“What did she do this time?”
“I have been working endlessly on sketches for the upcoming season. You know how late I’ve been at the studio.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder and sighed with exasperation.
“Mhm,” I murmured, stirring my drink.
“Shedestroyedthem. Right in front of my face. Tore them into pieces and claimed they weren’t right for the upcoming collection. I’d normally be in tears if I wasn’t so used to it.”
“I don’t know how you still work with her.” I sighed. This truly was a weekly occurrence.
“Like I have a choice! I don’t know another seamstress in this town that would hire me. I only have Thearna because of Lady Fairbanks. You know my plan. A few more years with Thearna and maybe I can build up enough clients to open my own studio or get a job working for one of the noble families, but that’s only going to happen if people see my designs…” Osta went on.
I tried to listen intently, but I found my mind drifting off. We were sitting for the first time in hours, and the chaos of the city was muted in the background. I was one Moonlit Nectar in, and the effects were already starting to take hold, allowing the thoughts I’d buried away to resurface.
I tried not to compare our situations. Thearna sounded like a bloody nightmare–
“Fia!” Osta prodded, annoyance straining her voice.
Reality snapped back into focus. “I was listening!”
“Yeah right. Your eyes were doing that thing they do when you’ve checked out. Perception is my gift, after all. What’s on your mind?”
I took a deep breath and set my glass on the table. I guess now was as good a time as any. She needed to understand. Shedeservedto understand.
“General Ashford came to see me yesterday,” I stated, keeping close attention on Osta’s reaction.
Her eyes widened. “And you’re just telling me this now?” she gasped.
“I was trying to process everything. He showed up at the Apothecary before closing time. He told me that Bekha and Jordaan were still alive...” I trailed off.
Osta leaned back and sighed with relief. “I knew I saw them leave.”
I nodded. “You were right, like always. Healers were able to mend them in time.” I hesitated before continuing. “But, that's not all. He thinks he cantrainme to use… well, whatever it is that I can do.” I rolled my eyes, contempt curling at my upper lip.
“I mean… that sounds like an intriguing opportunity, right?” She raised an eyebrow.
“What do you meanintriguing? He wants to use me as some sort of weapon for the Guard, Osta. Tojointhe Guard. Why would I ever put myself in that position?”
The crease in her brow deepened.
“I get that… I just wonder if maybe you should consider it… especially after what just happened at the party. You could finally learn to control the one thing that holds you back from living your life normally. You wouldn’t even try it?”
I flashed her the Riftborne mark on my hand. She looked around cautiously, only returning her eyes to me once she confirmed we were alone.
