I sigh at the sight and make my way towards Millie, going to grab my packs before I notice that they’re missing. I turn around the camp in confusion and spot Cal watching me, his eyes darting to the largest tent in the middle of the three in answer.
Bastard Prince.
I huff against Millie’s neck in frustration and take a deep breath.
I need to start drinking.
“Let me help you,” I say to Alanna and reach for the fabric in her hands.
She nods and lets me take the tent, freeing her own hands so that she can toss a large rock up to Barnes. The Warrior Discerni is perched on top of the boulder, his muscular build catching the rock and laying it on top of the fabric to hold it down. I watch them repeat the process along the top and move the bottom of the tent diagonal and away from the boulder, doing the same for the bottom end until they create the perfect angle for her to sleep under.
Alanna tosses me her canteen in thanks as I cock my head towards Cal.
“I told her I was in the mood for smoke tonight,” I take a seat next him, “and that you would never decline the advances of two pretty ladies.”
Cal’s booming laugh greets the camp, his eyes twinkling at Alanna as she sits down next to me.
“I’ll never decline you two ladies, that’s for sure. And if I ever do, kindly kill me on the spot.”
Alanna and I both laugh and watch him stand up. “I’ll be right back.”
I take a deep swig of toddy and hand the canteen back to her, moving my hands behind my back to let my legs and feet stretch out in front of me. The firelight dances across my boots, and despite my attempt to not think of him and our sleeping arrangements tonight, the vision of Keane’s fingers wrapped around my calves flashes in my mind. I quickly bring them back up to my chest and ignore the heated tug between my legs.
“And here we are,” Cal returns, taking his seat next to me, “this is actually the shisha that was served at the tavern on our first night in Gaumond.”
I peer over at Alanna, not having told her that I know Marybeth is her sister. She just gives Cal a small smile and watches him light his pipe before handing the toddy back to me. I take a drink and let my eyes roam to the Prince’s tent again, noticing with a scowl that Golem is standing at the side of its entrance.
Traitor.
Cal passes me the pipe and smiles when I take a deep inhale, the two us falling into our normal nightly camp routine. Keane chooses that moment to walk out of his tent just as I’m exhaling, his eyes catching and holding mine over the fire as the smoke leaves my lips. He stops and watches me take another inhale with a small grin, that playfulness of his reaching me all the way from across camp. I quickly look away from his heated gaze and hand Alanna the toddy and the pipe, praying to the Ancients that he can’t see my flushed cheeks.
Thankfully, Desmond walks out of his tent not a moment later and moves to speak with his brother. The Prince nods at something he says and they both walk towards our group, their features reverting back into the hard angles of the Discerni as everyone stops their small conversations.
“My brother and I will take the first shift tonight for lookout,” Keane folds his arms across his chest, “Cal, Holis and Barnes will be next. Mana, Alanna and Claymore will follow after. Lord Daniel will finish the dawn shift with our soldiers. Plan your sleep accordingly.”
I had no expectation that my name would be called, but it still stings to not hear it. I push away that deep feeling of uselessness and sigh as Keane and Desmond walk away, watching as they disappear under a boulder without another word. The single light within Lord Daniel’s tent goes off amoment later, him and the three soldiers immediately trying to find their sleep as the rest of us remain gathered around the fire.
I stand up when I know the Prince is long gone and brush the dead grass out from under me.
“I’m going to go grab some food,” I look at Cal and Alanna, “don’t finish those without me.”
Both grin foolishly in return. I roll my eyes with a smile and walk to Keane’s tent, pausing only to glance at Golem with desperation in my eyes.
“Can you go in first, Golem?”
Golem gives me a brief look before he nods, his hand pulling at the flap of the tent and walking inside. I take a deep breath to try to ease the tension and slowly follow behind him.
The inside is much smaller than I envisioned. It’s practical and cozy, with each area inside serving a specific purpose. Directly in front of me and on the middle of the ground rests a large, plush black rug with both of our bedrolls laying on top, side by side. To my left is a small wooden table with two chairs tucked into the sides and a few candles resting on top, their small flames providing the only source of light save the fire from outside. To the right is a tall divider that sections off the rest of the tent, the partition allowing for some privacy if needed.
I spot both of our traveling packs hanging over that partition and quickly walk towards mine. I rummage around for some food, settling on two extra cinnamon buns from Margaret’s breakfast yesterday and another orange, then exit as quickly as I came.
Cal and Alanna are in the same seats when I head over, though Mana and Holis have now joined. I catch Cal’s eyes on me and move to sit back next to him, breaking the cinnamon buns in halves and passing them amongst our group.
“You don’t look too happy, human,” Alanna hands me her toddy.
I shrug and stare at the orange in my hand.
“I don’t like being told what to do or where to sleep.”
