“So whereabouts are you, Cal?” I ask, knowing that Drinker’s Row isn’t far from here, “the townhomes above the Row?”
Cal nods and passes me an ale, “above Fillany Flights.”
Fillany Flights, another pub on the row that I’m familiar with. It’s a nice area where he lives,verylively, and is known for staying awake into the early hours of the morning. Fitting.
“How often do you engage in hand to hand?” Alanna asks.
I know she’s heard of Cal before meeting him, everyone has.
Cal shrugs at the short Discerni with a grin, “as often as I can when we’re home.”
I shift in my seat and take a drink, my eyes landing on Golem. He watches me with a quiet, pensive look on his face, one that tells me he knows what I’m thinking before nodding from the shadows.
“And people bet on you?” she inquires, “is it a full affair?”
Cal shrugs again, “I suppose so.”
“He’s being modest,” Holis adds, “itisa full affair. He has a fight already lined up for tomorrow night.”
I glance towards both men at the same time Alanna does.
How have I been so ignorant?
Golem shifts behind me.
“We will go, then?” Alanna turns to me in question.
I nod, trying my best to remain calm as I fume on the blatant disregard I’ve had for my friends’ lives outside of our travels.
I never bothered to learn more. Never took into consideration what they did on their down time.
Never inquired.
The knowledge hits me hard with guilt.
“I plan on us all still being here tomorrow and a few days after,” I say quietly.
Hopefully conversations are had once Keane and the delegation from Livyatan settle in from their travels, but I anticipate tomorrow night is fair game. Sutton and Tripler should be in the capitol tomorrow as well, so we can pull them into this event if they make it in time.
Alanna gives me a rare smile and then looks back at Cal. My big friend looks properly nervous at the thought of her being at his fight but hides his discomfort behind a large drink of ale. I catch Holis’ gaze across the table and hide my own grin, the two of us trying our best not to comment on Cal’s rosy cheeks as we also take a heavy drink.
“Where do you fight?” Alanna asks casually.
“Here,” Holis replies for Cal, “in the Western Palisades. It’s a club of sorts that rests within the upper levels of the mountain.”
“Who are you fighting?”
Cal shrugs, “another human male. He’s young and new. We’ll see how it goes.”
There is no human in the Old World who can beat Cal in hand to hand combat, of that I am sure. He’s still being modest, though his cool demeanor only has Alanna leaning forward with more interest. I can’t help but notice the flush on her own cheeks.
Ancients,is this how Keane and I look to others when we think no one is watching? I definitely feel my cheeks heat when I flirt with him, but I can’t say I’ve seen a look of nervousness on him like what I see on Cal. Keane’s confident nature is too cocky to let any nervousness show, but he is always happy to express how much he wants me.
And I haven’t stopped wanting him.
I crave his hands on my skin and the feel of his demanding presence around me, ache for the arrogant way he brings me to the highest of releases as if he knows my body better than I do. It’s a constant battle to have to hide my need for him, that much I learned in Pyre, but the way he expresses his open desire for me completely helps that.
Whether unintentionally or on purpose, I don’t know, but I catch myself pushing my desire and calling out to him. Keane’s summoning greets me quickly in response, his want and need tugging at the sweet spot between my thighs as I shift in my seat. I reach for the bag at my hip and pull forward the oak slab, reading the words I know are waiting.
