“Briar, come relax,” Oak shouts, as I move their way. “Have a drink.”
“You better hurry, or Oak may drink it all,” Maines chimes in.
I make my way back to the table, my footsteps silent against the roaring waves. Although my hearing is often limited on the ship’s deck, I can’t shake the feeling that I need to listen.
I place both hands on the table and lean in, staring directly at Oak. “How much have you had to drink?”
“A few.” A wide grin spreads across his face. “But not enough.”
“Oh, I beg to differ,” Maines snaps.
“Okay, maybe five glasses,” Oak laughs.
“Try eight,” Maines adds.
Silas coughs, propping his ankle on his knee. “Light weight.”
“Fine,” Oak huffs. “I’ve had enough that I might finally let Maines tie me up tonight. She’s been begging to.”
Silas and I snap our gaze to Maines before exploding with laughter.
“Okay, Mr. Hombern.” She turns red, and her jaw drops. “I believe you’ve officially had and said enough tonight.”
“Nah,” Oak says, offering his wrists to her with a wink.
“That’s what happens when you start drinking long before the party starts.” Maines grabs his cup, and points. “Look at Silas. He isn’t a drunk fool.”
“Come on,” he argues, reaching across her for his cup. “He’s always this stiff.”
Maines stands and places her hands on her hips. “I think it’s time we retire for the night. We have a big day tomorrow, and I don’t think you will want to spill your guts on the pier in front of the wonderful people of Andorwood.”
Oak grabs the bottle and tips it back.
“Let’s do this, darling,” he says, wiping his mouth with pride. “It’s time to be roped.”
Maines snatches the bottle and slams it down on the table with a thud, glaring at him.
“If you two don’t hear from me tomorrow,” Oak wobbles and a laugh booms from his throat, “please come untie me.”
Rage radiates off Maines as she pulls him away.
“Pray for him.” Maines tugs at his waist. “Because if you don’t hear from him tomorrow, it’s because I’ve fucking killed him.”
Silas laughs as she stomps toward the stairs, Oak stumbling close behind, both of them waving their goodbyes.
“Oak Hombern is something,” Silas says, still laughing. “I’ve never met anyone quite like him.”
“He’s been this way since we were children. Well, not a drunk fool, but he sees the fun side of life.”
“It’s important to have friends like that,” Silas says.
“As children, he always made me laugh until my stomach hurt. I’m happy to say that still happens now as adults,” I respond, smiling as I reminisce.
My mind goes back to a summer when Oak and his father visited. We spent our days outrunning guards, reading books, and I often made Oak perform any ritual related to his Lumor ability. Even at a young age, I was fascinated with the magic of light and wished I could wield some myself.Ritual after ritual, Oak would show me how he could illuminate the world around us. He has a way of brightening the darkest nights, even outside his magic.
“Tonight was fun,” Silas says. “It felt normal. I know that isn’t something we’ve had much of, but when this is over, I’m excited to experience the joys that this life can bring us.” Silas leans back in his chair, taking another drink, and I just look at him for a long moment, enjoying the view.
I grab his hand and rise, pulling him to do the same. His strong body towers over mine as I stand on my toes to reach his mouth. I gently slide my tongue across his lips, teasing him, before I whisper in his ear, “I want my other birthday present now.” I slide my hand across his abdomen and down to the seam of his pants. “Some distraction would do me well, don’t you think?”
