Aine looked at her in utter disapproval, nose crinkling. “What are ya on about?”
“What?” Breena narrowed her eyes defensively. “It’s one of the top three spots I’ve taken dates to.”
I barked out a laugh. “Breena!Scandalous!” I said incredulously. “What are the other two spots?”
“Don’t—” Aine raised a finger. “Don’t answer that. I don’t wanna know.”
My brain fizzled out as Breena went on about the unsuccessful dates she’d been on previously. Aine looked bored for most of the story time, occasionally glancing around as if Breena had tainted the grass with hazardous materials. But my body was melting into the calming currents of relaxation as I laid down on the blanket and listened to their chatter.
So much had happened. How was Ithiscalm? Not that I was complaining. It felt as if all my worries flew away like feathers to the wind. Breena and Aine’s bodies had loosened as well—rigid anxiousness having transformed to fluid motions.
“Hey—” I interrupted Breena. My fingers curled into the blanket, relishing in its fuzzy softness. “I feel good right now. Likerealllllygood.” My brain wasn’t sure if it was supposed to be a question or a statement.
A mug was pressed to Aine’s lips as I spoke, but ever so slowly she lowered it, curiously inspecting its contents.
“Breena,” she said cautiously.
Breena wore an angelic smile as she combed her fingers through her hair. “Hmm?” She answered innocently with an eyebrow raised.
Aine straightened—a motion that took great effort.
“Breena!”she growled. “What did ya do? Please tell me not one of your potions!”
My eyes sluggishly slid toward my now-empty cup. A gradual realization hit me.
“Did you—you drugged us?Again?” I gasped, trying to hold onto my slippery thoughts.
Breena gave a lighthearted shrug, then shook her head as ifwewere the problem.
“I didn’t drug us! It’s a natural herb from the garden—Laxo root.” She playfully rolled her eyes. “I added it to the mulled wine for itssoothingproperties.”
Oh, god.I knew I should be pissed, but anger was like slippery butter on the pan of my conscience.
A giggle bubbled out of me.
I felt better than I had in days. Yet faintly sleepier. The image of a soft fluffy pillow danced in my mind, taunting. What I wouldn’t do to rub my face on it right now. But that thought alone also had me chuckling again. Why was that so funny?
Aine blinked. Her body swayed slightly. Maybe she needed a nap too. “Breena—how much did ya add?” she murmured.
Mouth stretching, Breena yawned before rubbing her palms on her cheeks. “I—I may have steeped it for too long. Too much . . . sedative . . .” Her words trailed off as she laid down next to me.
Aine moaned, straining to sit up, fighting the effects.
Bed. I wanted my bed.Oh, how lovely a bed it was.It deserved to be cuddled.But so far away . . .
My thumb lazily rubbed the purple stone on my finger. Laughter escaped me—anticipation building.
Aine yelped as a radiant light flashed. Breena giggled and covered her eyes.
A sharp, electric humming sound echoed. There, at my feet,stood Honey, Pudge, and Huck—suited in rose-gold armor with electric toothbrushes, ready for battle. No, I meant . . .toothpicks. Wait. No, pointy . . .whatever.
Ohhh.They must’ve thought I was dialing the emergency line.Whoopsie.
Pink lips pursed as Honey looked down at me. Pudge’s rosy cheeks pulled up when he spotted us sprawled out in the grass, high as three kites.
I couldn’t stop cackling.
“Hellllooo, boys!” I slurred. “Need a ride. Remember your game of ding-dong-ditch?”
