When was the last time I sat on the floor for no reason at all?
“He said you were a eunuch. No! Awafflingeunuch,” I laughed, stretching my legs toward the crackling fire and wiggling my bare toes. How had I never noticed how fascinating fires were? White and yellow and orange and red. Or blue like the night we’d played snapdragon. Good thing we weren’t playing now. I’d probably end up burning my hand off.
“That bastard,” Ruairi muttered into his glass. “I can say with complete honesty that I amnota eunuch. Waffling or otherwise.”
“Prove it,” Tadgh slurred with a sloppy smile, an empty glass resting on his chest.
“And have yer brother castrate me when he finds out? Not a feckin’ hope in hell, lad.”
Rían probably would castrate him. The thought made me laugh for some reason, even though it wasn’t the least bit funny. Poor Ruairi looked appalled.
“I’m sorry.” The more I tried to stop, the harder I laughed. The harder I laughed, the harder it was to stay upright. I fell back, landing next to a pair of shiny black boots. Boots attached to a very angry looking prince.
“Which one of you pricks got my hostage sozzled?” Rían grumbled.
The glass on Tadhg’s chest fell off when he raised an unsteady hand. “That would be me.”
Rían gave Tadhg’s worn boot a kick. Tadgh just smiled.
“You truly are worthless,” Rían said.
I smacked his shin. “Be nice to your brother. He’s heartbroken.”
“Then perhaps he should be doing something about it instead of drowning himself in drink.”
“You want me to do something about it? Give me the dagger and hold still.”
“Another day.” Rían scooped me up, one arm beneath my knees and the other behind my shoulders, cradling me against his chest. “This one needs her sleep, or she’ll be cranky come morning.”
Sleep? I didn’t want to sleep. I felt brilliant. I didn’t think I’d ever need to sleep again.
Ruairi chuckled.
Poor Tadhg looked like he was about to burst into tears.
“Way-way-way-way-wait! Tadhg?”
He smiled a sad smile. “Yes, Aveen?”
“Keelynn would hate it if she knew you were drinking every day of the week.”
The smile vanished. “Goodnight, Aveen.”
“Good night, Tadhg. Night, Ruairi!”
A chuckle. “Night, human.”
I pressed my nose into Rían’s chest as we evanesced, inhaling the sweet scent clinging to his shirt. “You smell like cinnamon biscuits.”
His startled laugh vibrated against my nose. “Is that meant to be a compliment?”
I nodded. “I love cinnamon biscuits. Not as nice as chocolate though.Mmmm. . .” When was the last time I had chocolate? That sounded scrummy right about now. “Think Eava would make me a chocolate cake?”
“She’ll make you whatever you want. Eava loves you. I’m not sure why though. You’re an obnoxious drunk.”
“Ugh. Grumpy Rían.” I planted my index fingers on either corner of his mouth, forcing his lips into a smile the way he’d done to me once before. “I want a different one.”
He dumped me onto a four-poster bed with no canopy. “Grumpy Rían is the only one who can deal with drunk Aveen.”