Piece of cake, really.
“Do you want me to teach you how to write a poem or not?”
Draven gives Orion an incredulous look. “When have I ever said that I want you to teach me how to write poems?”
“Can you imagine?” Galen says with a laugh before Orion can respond. “What would a poem by Draven even sound like?”
Lyra leaps up from the wooden bench they’re sitting on, almost knocking over our table in the process. Glasses of wine and mugs of ale wobble precariously, and the candles on thetabletop flicker. Through the windows, warm light from the golden sunset stream into the cheerful tavern and paints gilded highlights in Lyra’s hair as she tosses the wavy strands out of her face with a flourish.
Placing a dramatic hand on her chest, she mimics Draven’s voice as she recites, “This sword I nab.” She thrusts her hand out. “And with it, I stab!”
I burst out laughing. And so does the rest of the table.
Orion snickers into his glass, and his eyes glint with sly amusement as he shoots Draven a victorious smirk.
Groaning, Draven massages his brow. “Is that what I sound like to you?”
“Yes,” Isera replies, a slight smile tugging at her lips. “Though a little grumpier.”
“And more brooding,” I fill in.
“You too, little rebel?” He gives me a look of mock betrayal while trying to suppress a grin at the same time. “Now, I definitely need another drink. Where is Alistair?”
Right as we all look up and turn towards the open doorway that leads out to the bar and the rest of the busy tavern, Alistair appears in it with his hands full of mugs and glasses. He bites his lip in concentration, trying to stop the alcohol from spilling over the edges as he maneuvers towards our table.
“You know you could’ve just taken two trips, right?” Galen points out.
“My parents didn’t raise no two-trip loser,” Alistair replies, his eyes still fixed on the mugs. “Everyone knows that you should always carry everything in one trip.”
“See!” Lyra exclaims, pointing excitedly at Alistair while looking at Galen. “It’s not just me.”
Shaking his head, Galen chuckles. “Always turning everything into an extreme sport, you two.”
Soft thuds sound as Alistair at last reaches the table, without spilling anything, and sets the mugs and glasses down in front ofeveryone before he squeezes himself back down on the bench on Lyra’s other side. Across the table, Orion and Isera swap their empty glasses for their new full ones.
Grabbing his own new mug, Draven shoots Alistair a sly look. “You didn’t spit in this one, did you?”
“Or poison it?” I add, a grin on my mouth.
“Hey,” Alistair protests, and holds up a finger while trying to look indignant. “Let’s get something straight. I never actually spit in any drinks. I just said that it was something Iwoulddo.” A devilish grin blows across his mouth. “Poison it, however? Yeah, I did have Maximus poison your drinks during the commencement ball.”
“I knew it!” Galen exclaims. Looking between Draven and Lyra, he points towards Alistair. “See, I told you he was cheating back then!”
“It’s not cheating if you get away with it,” Alistair replies, that wicked grin still on his mouth.
“Exactly!” Lyra chimes in excitedly, her orange eyes glittering in the candlelight. “That’s what I’ve been saying!”
“Which is why I never play cards with you,” Galen replies with a pointed look.
“That’show you won?” Orion interrupts before she can reply. “I thought you were just an expert card player.”
Lyra grins and brushes imaginary dirt off her shoulder. “Iaman expert card player. Which is why I cheat.”
“Malachi’s balls.” He looks genuinely impressed as he shakes his head at her. “I lost an entire townhouse in that bet.”
“Which will be a great vacation house for me and Alistair when we come and visit you in the Unseelie Court.” Her eyes sparkle with mischief as she turns to Alistair. “Right, darling?”
He laughs. Sliding his hand along her jaw, he leans over and kisses her. “Yes, sunshine.”
