Page 74 of Pirate Witch
When I draw back, I can barely hear the final blessing from the witches over the pounding of my own heart. Even Danika’s words sound muffled for a moment until Val drops my gaze.
“The Goddess has brought you together. Now it is your turn. You will undoubtedly face great trials and great joy in your life together, whether you cherish and protect what the Goddess has given you or let it fall to ruin is up to you.” There’s a heavy pause to let the words sink in, before her face cracks into a smile. “Now, it’s time for what we do best,” Danika announces, raising her voice and jolting me out of the trance I’ve fallen into. “Party!”
We share a look between one another and grin. My pirates have no idea what they’re getting into.
ChapterTwenty-Five
NIKLAUS
Waking up to the aftermath of a witch party is… interesting. Half of my body is on the floor, the other half is clinging to a decidedly male leg to keep myself on the bed. The instant I release the hairy limb, I slide entirely onto the cold tiles. My head spins, and I hiss from the chill.
Goddess, my head. What do they put in that wine?
I’m pretty sure the others have better tolerance levels than me, so maybe they won’t be in such bad shape when they drag themselves back to the land of the waking. But males’ access to alcohol is heavily restricted in Marisang. I’ve never had more than a glass of watered down ale with dinner. The only exception was the rare occasions when Cassie managed to smuggle me some of the good stuff, but even that was just a small sip.
I wobble to my feet, groaning when the pounding in my skull turns savage.Maybe I’ll just stay on the floor.
Blinking, I try to get a feel for my surroundings. We’re inside a lush bedroom, decorated with bold, dark colours that make the space seem intimate. On a table beside the huge bed we collapsed on is an amphora and several empty glasses with a piece of heavy note card propped up against it.
“Hangover cure.” I read it again just to make sure, then pour myself a glass full to the brim and throw the whole thing back like it’s salt water.
It only takes a few seconds for the fog to recede, but when it does, I almost cry in amazement. Even the dry, furry feeling in my mouth is gone. I stare at the pitcher in awe.
Of course a race of women with a culture of massive parties would’ve invented a cure for the unpleasant aftereffects. The witches should bottle this stuff and sell it. I wonder if they already have. I should see about getting some for my sisters…
My thoughts are interrupted by a hiss from behind me.
“Fuck, what are those witches brewing here?” Val sits up, cradling his head. “That shit’s lethal.”
“Shhh,” Nos whispers, hiding his head beneath the covers like a child. “I’m waiting for Klaus to bring over the good stuff, but I didn’t see all this noise.”
I glance at the jug still in my hand and back at the bed before shrugging and pouring two more glasses. Nos’s hand sticks up from the covers to snag his as it passes over the top of him and then he tilts the glass and pours the liquid straight into his mouth with an accuracy that should shock me, but doesn’t.
Cassie sometimes does the same thing just to scare people.
“Goddess, thank fuck for that,” Nos mutters, pushing to his elbows.
Val is eyeing the two of us with suspicion, likely waiting for one of us to collapse from poison. Eventually, his hangover must get too much, because he takes it like a shot.
“We need to find where they store this…” he trails off, but I can guess where his thoughts are going.
He wants to steal some for himself. Typical fucking pirate.
“I’ve seen you try.” Nos smirks. “It doesn’t go well. But if you’re not attached to your sack, I say go for it.”
“Fucking witches,” Val curses again.
This time he’s loud enough to wake Rysen and Cas.
“Where’s Kier?” I realise.
“Probably with Nilsa,” Cas mutters, taking his glass gratefully. “The guy’s a borderline stalker.”
“He gets away with it because of the glamour,” Rysen says, sipping at the liquid suspiciously. “She’d kick his ass for it otherwise.”
If I didn’t know better, I’d say the vampire actually sounds jealous of the fae.
“Come on, get dressed.” Cas is already up and chucking a pile of clothes at his twin. “We could be missing out on important shit.”
