Page 79 of Aryn

We take turns in the shower—me first, then him. The water isn’t as hot as it would be back in the cities, but it’s warm enough to feel like absolute heaven after days on the road. I change into my last set of clean clothes and make a mental note to wash everything tonight so it can dry by the fire. When Aryn steps out with damp hair and fresh clothes, I have to force myself not to stare too long.

The hour passes quickly, and we head back out with the group to replenish supplies. Cameron’s face looks suspiciously relaxed, and I’m pretty sure Lillith’s lips are chapped. I smirk to myself but keep my mouth shut.

Merchant row is buzzing as evening creeps in. We load up on salted meat and dried fruits for the packs. Ronan grabs some hard flatbreads that make Cameron cheer quietly to himself. Aryn picks up an extra blanket and what looks like a grooming kit, glancing my way as he does it. Taryn gets him to help her choose healing salve and replacement bandages. Just before we leave, Aryn jogs over to the stall with those glowing blue oils and comes back with a few vials, saying they help with muscle aches.

We drop our new supplies off at the inn and agree to meet up at sunset for dinner. Aryn and I don’t have much time to dwell on the fact that we’re alone in a private room again. After we finish washing our clothes in the tub, we load the fire with more wood and lay everything out to dry. We empty our packs, reload the fresh supplies, and shake out our sleeping bags so they can air out in the warm room.

The light outside shifts into that deeper blood-orange glow of sunset, so we head down the stairs to the pub. Conversation buzzes loud between the locals and travelers packed into the room, but we luck out and claim a big table near the back. Lillith and Taryn join us after a few minutes, and eventually Cameron and Ronan come down too. The food is incredible, placed on the table in large platters for us to serve ourselves. There’s smoked, meaty fish, fresh bread, roasted root vegetables, and mugs of dark ale that go down way too easily.

We’re halfway through the meal when the group at the next table strikes up a conversation. The two Nu’vak are the chattiest, joined by a Lindae, a Ramves, and a type of teal-skinned monster I've never seen. Ronan and Aryn translate as they explain they’re from a larger village northeast of here with a small human community. Aryn tells them we’re headed back to his home, and they nod encouragingly, mentioning they’ve met travelers from Maelithryne in the last few months.

They ask something that makes Aryn and Ronan exchange a quick glance. I kick Aryn’s foot under the table. “Well, don’t start keeping secrets now.”

He chuffs a laugh and nods toward the darkening window. “They say there’s a bonfire in the field behind the inn tonight. They’ve invited us to join them.”

“Even the humans?” I ask skeptically.

He nods. “They insist you’re welcome.”

“That sounds like fun!” Lillith says with a wide smile.

Ronan isn’t so easily convinced, but when he looks around at the rest of our faces, he caves. “Alright. We could use a night to unwind.”

Aryn

Bright sparks spiral into the cold night sky as the bonfire crackles. Musicians huddle together, playing drums and string instruments. Cameron and Ronan sit in the shadows, wrapped up in each other, and I lost track of Lillith and Taryn an hour ago. Several other groups have gathered, laughing and talking over the music, but I don’t join them, and I certainly can’t relax.

The Elduin we met at dinner has pulled Cato into his group. His name is Lirien, and his iridescent teal skin shimmers in the firelight while his long silver-white hair catches every flicker of gold from the flames.

He’s stunning, and I’m not the only one who noticed.

Cato hasn’t been more than a few feet away from Lirien since we made it out here. Lirien knows some words in English and asked Cato to teach him more. He’s light and teasing as he tries to repeat them, flirty in a way I’ve never been. He laughs too easily and is far too bold, finding every excuse to touch Cato’s arm.

My jaw tightens every time Lirien leans in closer.

Cato seems mostly unaware, but he isn’t clueless. He’d have to be blind to miss the signals being sent his way. Lirien says something else that makes Cato chuckle, and the knot in my stomach twists tighter at how he smiles.

It’s loose in a way he never is with me.

I know I have no real claim on him. We haven’t defined anything between us, and despite the way he’s clearly drawn to me, he’s always been honest. He doesn’t want… this.

Me.

Still, watching someone else flirt with him so openly makes my tail twitch with irritation beneath my coat.

Lirien pulls out a neatly rolled herb cigarette and takes a long pull. One of the Nu’vak plucks it from his fingers for a drag before handing it back, and a charming smile curves Lirien’s mouth as he offers it to Cato. Firelight gleams off his hair as he looks down at it, then meets my eyes as though seeking permission. He excuses himself and walks over, dropping onto the bench beside me.

“Hey,” he says quietly. “They, uh…” His laugh comes out nervous, and my stomach clenches tighter. “They’re smoking? From what I could understand, it’s called threeva?”

“Thraeva,” I correct gently.

He nods, glancing back toward where the Elduin is watching us. “He just keeps saying ‘good’.”

“You don’t need my permission,” I respond, the words coming out more clipped than I intend.

He stares at me for a second, jaw tightening. “I know that. I just… I don’t know. Letting loose sounds fun after the week we’ve had, but I don’t want to be all fucked up here.”

My nostrils flare as I take in the scent. It’s familiar—dried thraeva leaves that carry scents of the dark honey imbued in the vines. “What they have is fairly mild, but it will lower your inhibitions,” I tell him honestly. “Everything will feel… warmer. Easier. You’ll be more open, probably be more talkative. It won’t knock you out or cause blackouts, if that’s what you’re worried about.”