Vilder sets the tray on a nearby windowsill, raising his eyebrows. “Were you just talking to yourself?”
I stare after Seniia, who is pulled over to dance with a beautifulgirl, then shake my head. “No! He was just there.” I gesture toward the empty spot next to me. “I swear.”
One side of Vilder’s mouth pulls up at my distress. “Relax.” He laughs. “They do that sometimes.”
He’s not helping. “What do you mean?”
He hands me a cup of wine. I’ve never had wine before in my life, but I’ve also never been happier to be offered a glass. At least, Ithinkit’s wine, but frankly, at this point, I don’t care. I chug it down in a single gulp and then grab another one.
Vilder quirks an eyebrow but doesn’t comment. “The most powerful C’elen,” he clarifies. “They do that sometimes.”
Although the air is warm, I shiver. “How?”
“It’s called bending. It allows you to travel vast distances through the bending of space. Like...” He’s thoughtful for a moment. “Like folding a piece of paper and stepping through... kind of.”
I blink up at him. He’s giving me a headache. “That does not makeanysense.”
His mouth twitches, revealing his dimple. “There are few who hold such powers these days.” His expression turns contemplative. “Did you happen to catch his name?”
“No,” I lie, afraid that saying his name out loud will call him back. It’s clear he’s connected to Llyr, and thus I want him nowhere near me. I gulp down another glass of wine. The attention of some powerful C’elen is the last thing I wish for. What I want is simple: freedom and a life in peace. That’s it.
“Hey, save some for me.” Seniia laughs upon seeing my empty wineglasses, sweat pearling on her forehead from the dance she just took part in.
“Laïna is a little unsettled from experiencing a C’elen disappearing into thin air,” Vilder says.
Her eyes widen. “Are you all right?” She places a gentle hand on my forearm.
“I’m fine,” I say. “Just a little startled.” I give her what I hope is a reassuring smile. “And I must admit, this wine is quickly making my life a whole lot better.” The wine warms my chest, a gentle calm spreading through my limbs, and I savor another sip.
Grabbing the tray, she sits down cross-legged and pats the ground next to her for me and Vilder to join her. “Let’s eat.” She hands me a piece of grilled meat from the tray. “Some food will ground you. Seeing someone bend for the first time can leave the best of us a little lightheaded.”
I take the meat she offers, not bothering to correct her. I didn’t see the act of bending myself, but it’s better if they believe that’s the reason I’m so unsettled.
I reach for another piece, savoring its juicy tenderness while enjoying how Seniia teases Vilder. The buzz of the wine and her infectious laughter making me smile despite myself. Seniia’s radiant energy makes it nearly impossible to stay in a bad mood. I can tell even Vilder—although he sure tries his best—struggles to keep a straight face. I touch my chest, feeling the steady beat of my heart beneath my fingertips. The aching hole in my chest is smaller, somehow. Less overwhelming.
I close my eyes and breathe deeply, letting the scent of spiced wine and roasted meat replace the phantom smell of burning flesh. When I open them again, I focus on Seniia’s radiant smile and on Vilder’s protective presence beside me. While the past is unchangeable,Ihave control over the present. And maybe it’s their easy demeanors and genuine smiles, or maybe it’s the wine, but I manage to push both Aster and Llyr firmly out of my head and enjoy the moment. And this time, when Seniia asks me to dance, I join her.
chapter twelve
“WAKE UP, SLEEPYHEAD.” SENIIA’S VOICE pulls me out of my sleep.
My head hurts like someone is banging on a drum inside it, and I roll over onto my other side to block her out. “Go away,” I grumble, but she’s insistent.
“We have a boat to catch. Time to rise and shine.”
I force my eyelids open, taking in the same elegant space from last night, squinting at the harsh morning light flooding through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Seniia’s staff leans against the wall, her feathered serpent coiled peacefully around it, and I’m in one of the two beds. With great effort, I push myself up, the room tilting slightly as I move. Seniia, seeming to sense a disaster about to happen, pushes an empty bucket into my hands right before I convulse and vomit. Tears stream down my cheeks from the strain as I stare at her with wide eyes. “I’ve never felt—” Another convulsion interrupts me, and I vomit once more. “Worse in my life,” I growl, speaking between the convulsions.
“Having too much wine will do that to you,” she says with a smirk. “But fear not. I have the solution.” She rummages through her purse and retrieves a small pouch, then adds a scoop of its contents into a glass of water. “Drink this. You’ll feel better.”
I take a steadying breath, praying that’s it. My hands shake as I take the glass she’s offering me. “What is it?”
“Something that will take your banging headache away and relieve you of the nausea.”
That sounds wonderful. I down the glass, and to my surprise, I manage to keep it down.
“You hold your liquor well for a human. For a moment there, I thought Vilder would pass out before you.”
I grimace. Did I really drink that much? I try to recall the last part of the evening, to no avail. Burn me. I did, didn’t I? I bury my face in the pillow. It’s so soft, nothing like the straw pillow I had in my bed in Bronich. I peek an eye open. “Did you mention a boat?”
