Nessa
Her body was sohot it felt like literal flames poured out through her skin. It was probably pushing out all the remaining alcohol from last night. Her core pounded, and her panties were soaked through.
She would’ve begged. This time, she would’vepleadedfor that big gargoyle to throw her down and take her. To own her. To dominate her in a way that only he could. He would’ve finally broken her this time…except that if she’d kept going, she would’ve thrown up all over him. Then fainted. She wasreallyregretting her choices from the night before.
“Hello, hello.” Jasper caught her as she headed out of the VIP area, looping his arm within hers. “You do not look great. Are you going to yack?”
“I am very seriously thinking about it. Blood flow was hampered a moment ago. It was all down around my Lady Land. I feel faint, and the butterflies are making my stomach dodgy.”
“Been there.” Jasper nodded in commiseration. “I have definitely been there.”
They stopped halfway to the bar. Jasper looked right. Down the way was the sign for the restrooms.
“I’m good.” She took her arm from his. “Any word from Indigo?”
The guys hadn’t been able to reach her earlier. She was probably off with Edgar somewhere, looking at flowers. His lips twisted, and he shook his head.
“Okay.” She steeled herself. She needed to stay in the headspace of the Captain. It helped prop her up. “It’s fine. I’ll stay a little longer, hope the hair of the dog helps, and then I’ll slip out the backdoor.”
Niamh and Phil sat in the same place they had yesterday, Nessa remembered that much. Once Niamh found a spot she liked, she didn’t usually deviate. Gerard would probably find his way over later when he was done playing host.
She stopped in front of an open stool beside Niamh, the only one vacant in the whole place.
“Is someone here?” She pointed at the empty space.
“No,” Phil said. “Niamh keeps scaring everyone away. It’s funny.”
“It’s so easy, like.” Niamh took a sip of her cider. “They’re all rattled from the skirmish today. I think they think I’m the phoenix. I’m leaning into it.”
Nessa plopped down. “Sorry if I was?—“
“Not at all,” Niamh interrupted her.
Phil’s hair puffed up in a warning. “We don’t say sorry for having fun,” he growled. “We have it, we pay for the damage, and we move on.”
Said the creature who killed anyone that gave him offense.
“Okay.” She sagged against the bar. It was easier to just agree.
“Besides, you all provided great entertainment,” Phil went on.
“Not to mention you did a great job stirring the pot.” Niamh nodded. “Sure, yis were probably responsible for that raid-style push-back up there today. Before that, they just seemed like they might cause a ruckus. This was a full-scale battle. In their opinion, anyway. This was much better. All the taunting you gave was spot on.”
“Much.” Phil nodded sagely. “It was worth the hassle of changing bars to spread the taunting.”
Memories flooded back to her. She’d called out insults, made random judgements, and talked loud and long about the convocation’s superiority. Niamh had often started it, and Nessa had run with it, dragging everyone else with her.
“Oh, god,” she murmured, putting her head on the bar.
“She drunk again?” The bartender stopped in front of her.
“No.” She picked up her head, her gaze momentarily swimming. “I haven’t had a drink yet. I’m debating if I really should.”
“Probably not,” the bartender replied. She didn’t remember, because she’d never ordered her own drinks, but it was probably the same guy from last night.
“If we want yer opinion, we’ll give it to ya,” Niamh told him. “Can’t ye see the girl needs the cure? Get her top shelf whiskey with an ice cube, a lemon zest, and a Coke back.”
Nessa groaned.
