Page 29 of Forbidden Obsession
Ugh.And if I have to listen to Vander complain about “the humans this” or “the humans that” one more time, I’m going to cram a nillyslug so far down his throat he’ll choke on it.
Today has been another long day in a string of long days. Rahz’s absence makes my father’s presence even more grating than usual. I hadn’t realized how much Rahz served as a buffer between us until he was gone and I was left to handle the old man myself. He’s ornery, unreasonable, and getting on my last nerve.
Sometimes I wonder what Mother ever saw in him. One day, after she’s awoken and we’ve gotten to know each other, perhaps I’ll ask. I like to think her waking will cheer him up. That suddenly he’ll become jovial. Appreciative. That maybe he’ll even love me.
But this line of thought is pointless. Mother is dormant. Rahz is gone. I’m exhausted, and the only thing I can do to get my mind off my woes is head to The Golden Wing, our local tavern. I’ll drink some ale and take pleasure in the company of our friends.
Hopefully, Vander isn’t there.
Vander is there.
After I shove open the heavy wooden door, he’s the first thing I see, seated at the bar, drink in hand, mouth spewing some story no one seems to be paying much attention to.
Curses. Just my luck.
My bad mood dips lower. Oh well, I’m here now, and I won’t leave because he’s here too. But still, can’t one thing go right? One thing?
Luckily, Bird is at the other end of the bar, so I make my way over to her.
The inside of The Golden Wing is warmly lit with a combination of flickering oil lamps and magically charmed lights, which glow golden and flutter around the thick wooden rafters in pairs of tiny, perfectly shaped wings, hence the name. A dozen tables are scattered throughout, booths line the far wall, and a large hearth frames a cold fireplace, not currently in use. Colorful tapestries, woven locally, mostly by Lemon and Salah’s family, adorn the walls. Beautiful landscapes, bountiful farms, frolicking unicorns, and fields of flowers lend a whimsical feeling to the place.
I slide onto the stool next to Bird. “Good evening.”
“Oh, hello, Jinny.” Her smile looks a bit like my own. Faked. So she’s not happy either. Not that I blame her. She and Falen only met a year or so ago. To be separated so early in their courtship must be a heavy yoke to bear. “What brings you around tonight?”
“Same as you, I imagine.” I catch the barkeep’s gaze and signal her over. “I’m lonely without Rahz around.”
She huffs a breath out her nose. “And it’s only been a week. We have at least three more to go.”
“Don’t remind me.” Time passes slow as snails without Rahz to keep me company. “They must be at least halfway to Lemossin by now.”
“At least.” She takes a sip of something pink and fruity looking.
Emorine, the barkeep, approaches. Her expression says, back again? but in a friendly way. I don’t usually show up at The Golden Wing this frequently. “What can I get you?”
“I’ll have whatever Bird is having. It smells like frosted fruit cake.” I lick my lips. “And I’ll buy a second for her as well, since she’s almost done.”
Emorine’s chuckle brings a grin to my lips. It’s nice to feel a real smile on my face. “You’ll love it. Tastes just like a frosted fruit cake too.”
“What’s it called?”
“Lollyberries and cream.”
“It’s paradise in a cup,” says Bird with a little hiccup.
“I’ll remember that for next time.”
“Don’t drink too many, though. They have a way of sneaking up on you.” Emorine’s tall white wings flutter on her back as if to emphasize the warning. She heads off to make the drinks.
Bird beams, revealing matching dimples on each plump cheek. “Thanks for the drink, Jin.”
“My pleasure.”
Vander’s voice cuts loudly through our conversation. “What would you know about the south? You’ve never even been there.”
We both cringe and ignore him. I don’t know the fae he’s talking to, and if they’re friends of his, I probably don’t want to know them either.
“So.” Bird steers my attention back toward her. “What are you doing to keep busy?”
