What else was new?
Chapter Forty-Three
Arken
If I wasn’t such a lightweight, I would’ve likely been making my way home with Sienna Makar right about now.
Unfortunately, the blend of whiskey, wine, and so much dancing had started to make the room spin and my stomach turn. I was zoning out, feeling somewhat dazed after the attractive woman had graciously offered to fetch me a glass of cold water. I wasn’t sober enough to feel the normal burn of embarrassment that might’ve eaten me alive, and thank the gods for that.
As I nibbled at a stray piece of bread from the table, I let my eyes wander aimlessly. I could have sworn that out of the corner of my eye I had seen the back of a head full of raven black hair, pulled into that messy half-bun that was a telltale sign ofa certain guardsman. Or was that just wishful thinking? I had completely lost my train of thought halfway through whatever casual conversation I had been having.
“Looking for someone?” Sienna asked lightly, and Laurel raised a curious brow. I shook my head vigorously, immediately regretting the way that the rapid motion left me feeling dizzy and nauseated.
“Oh, gods,” I murmured, pressing a palm against my head.
From the other side of the room, I heard someone call out for Sia’s attention over the music. As she rose to go over and greet them, she lifted my chin gently with two slender fingers adorned in stacked silver rings.
“It was nice to meet you, Arken,” she said, that natural flirtatiousness slipping back into her voice. I flushed. “Keep drinking that water, gorgeous. I’ll see you around.”
As I started to sober up, my head throbbed ceaselessly, despite the several glasses of water I’d downed over the hour. It didn’t help that the second band playing wasn’t nearly as talented as the first, and every false chord plucked in an incorrect tune was starting to seriously grate against my nerves.
“Hey,” I called over to Laurel, who had successfully found herself deep in conversation with Hanna Cragg. “I think I’m going to head out.”
“Are you sure?” Laurel asked, biting her lip and looking conflicted. “Do you want me to walk you home?”
“Of course not, woman. I’m fine. You have a good night, though, alright? Don’t misbehave too much,” I laughed.
“No promises,” she replied with a grin. “Send a note when you get home safe, alright?”
“Sure, sure.”
For a short period of time when I’d first arrived in Sophrosyne, Laurel had been my only friend. Even though we didn’t share the same depth of connection that I had these days with Kieran, I was still so thankful to have her in my life—even though our time together was few and far between. She had been a much-needed example for me, a reminder that the noblesse and the privileged offspring of the Atlassian elite could still be good people.
This world needed more good people.
I shivered in the chill evening air as I stepped outside, my body temperature shocked by the frosted winds of late winter. Between the blazing fires and the heat of the dance floor, it had been toasty warm inside The Clover, and I hadn’t had the foresight to bring a sweater with me earlier.
I made my way over to the mouth of the alleyway behind the tavern, where an open bonfire was crackling, a handful of stray students smoking their rolled tobacco and wyldweed, talking amongst themselves. I warmed my hands by the fire, keeping to myself and letting my now-stiffening muscles rest for a few minutes before I made my way down the alley, heading back towards my apartment.
I was letting my mind wander aimlessly, only having made it a few yards in the direction of my apartment when I felt a prickle on the back of my neck. I got the distinct sensation that I was being followed, and the casual sound of strolling footsteps confirmed it.
Sighing, I turned to find a well-dressed, curly haired male with dark eyes smirking at me with a presumptuous grin. He lookedsomewhatfamiliar, but I couldn’t quite place it. My head was still throbbing, and I was exhausted. Perhaps not entirely sober just yet.
“Arken, right?” he said, taking several steps closer to enter my personal space.
“Right,” I said slowly. “Apologies, but have we met?”
“Mm, if only,” he replied. “But I think you might know my sister, Hanna. I’m Anders. Anders Cragg.”
A blend of arrogance and pride slid off his lips alongside his words, and I watched his eyes rove over me shamelessly, lingering here and there with obvious impropriety.
“Pleased to make your acquaintance,” I said, dipping my head respectfully.
I was preparing to excuse myself when he took yet another step towards me, this time near enough that I could smell the booze on his breath and see the glassy look in his eyes. He was clearly still drunk.
“Oh, I’d like to make more than that with you,” he said, voice thick and heavy, on the cusp of slurring. “You and that Makar girl tonight, my gods. Hotter than all Hel. You headed to her place?”
“Err, no,” I replied, taking a measured step back to put some distance between us. “I’m actually headed home for the night, so if you don’t mind…”