What was going on here?The rest of the table seemed to notice the shift in the two of them as well. Something more than suggestive teasing. Eira had known that Noelle had been spending a bit more time with the morphi toward the end of their stay in the manor in Risen. But she hadn’t suspected… Was she imagining things between Ducot and her friend?
“But first—” Noelle stood suddenly, swayed, and righted herself. “I have an idea I’ve been wanting to implement.”
“Why do I feel like this is going to end badly?” Ducot said dryly.
“You are so rude.” Noelle slapped his shoulder playfully. “How do you think there’s any hope of getting my duvet that way?”
“This is a good idea! We promise,” Alyss said enthusiastically.
“Whatever it is can wait until after dinner. You both need food,” Eira said.
“I need decent accommodations!” Noelle insisted.
“Noelle—”
“They don’t have dinner out yet.” Ducot glanced back to the bar. “And the barkeep said when they do, they’ll keep it out for an hour or two. So we won’t be likely to miss it.”
Eira sighed. “What is this idea of yours?”
“We are going to remake our houses!” Noelle declared with all the confidence in the world.
“Excuse me?” Eira shared a worried glance with the others at the table.
“Alyss and I planned it all out earlier as we were getting ready. She’s going to use her Groundbreaker skills to give us proper bedrooms.”
“Are you sure we’re allowed to do that?” Eira glanced at everyone, looking for someone who might know—even among the attendants. But no one stepped forward to say they couldn’t.
“They did say we can use our magic to improve our circumstances as we’d like.” Menna rubbed her chin in thought.
“It couldn’t hurt to try,” Evanel agreed.
“To our house!” Noelle led the charge.
“Here, let me escort you.” Ducot was up at her side. “You don’t look very steady on your feet.”
“I have not hadthatmuch ale.” Noelle puffed out her cheeks, frustrated.
“You have also not had much to eat.” Eira bounced back and forth to the bar. “Both of you, eat this for now.” Luckily, her friends didn’t fight her shoving bread into their mouths.
“Now, onward!”
They all left their table. Eira noticed on the way out that two competitors from Qwint were in the corner; she recognized the red-haired one from the cleric’s room earlier. She was relieved to see he looked well. The two men stood as well, no doubt having overheard the plan. She didn’t blame them for being curious. Luckily, Lavette wasn’t in their company.
“So, since we’re negotiating, if you get a feather duvet will you share it with me?” Olivin asked at her side. Of course he’d ended up there. Why wasn’t she surprised?
Eira hummed, making a show of thinking about it. “I’m a bit of a blanket hog.”
“I prefer to be cold anyway.” He shrugged. “Besides, just the sight of you will keep me warm.”
“You’re the worst!” Menna laughed, catching up and slapping his arm. “Don’t give her hope. Otherwise she’ll be following you around like a lost puppy.”
Eira reminded herself of the carriage once more. Her heart was guarded. Whatever was happening with Olivin was a game at best, a plan to get her closer to him at its most sinister. Either way, she wasn’t getting wrapped up in him to the point of following him around like a “lost puppy.”
“Maybe he’ll be the one following me, if I let him.” The light tone of her voice contrasted with the wink and suggestive smirk she gave Olivin. Eira made it a point not to let him have a chance to reply, setting a faster pace than the two of them and catching up with Noelle and Alyss at the lead.
“Cullen, are you in here?” Alyss called inside. Silence was her reply. “Guess not.”
The two competitors from Qwint were still following them. But the other two, Lavette included, were missing. Eira wondered if Cullen had gone off with his betrothed.
