“Let’s settle down,” Scout said. “How about you let it go, and we order a round of drinks?”
“As long as it’s out of the rich—” His eyes settled on Vander’s hip, and he closed his mouth. The anger in his countenance shifted to wariness. After a few beats and a glance among his friends, who had grown quiet as well, he said, “Yeah, I’ll order a round.” He looked at me. “Sorry for snapping at you. I didn’t mean nothing by it.”
I glanced from him to Vander, puzzled as to what had changed so quickly. Vander hadn’t done anything but stare him down.
“Um, its alright,” I said quietly.
He stood and held out his hand to Vander. “I apologize, my man. I don’t want trouble.”
Vander shook his hand, and the corner of his mouth curled. “I’ll take an ale.”
“Sure, sure.”
Scout smiled at Vander, and the black-bearded warrior stepped up to the bar top, and ordered ale for Vander, Scout, andme. Even though I didn’t want one, I accepted it with a thanks. I finally caught sight of the gold handle of Vander’s viper dagger on his hip, half hidden by his black coat, and laughed.
Vander put a hand on my lower back and walked me toward an empty corner of the room, away from the warriors and the assassins. “Why are you laughing?”
I took another drink of my cinnamon-flavored Dragon’s Breath. “He saw your dagger. I mean, I knew you had a reputation, but that was fantastic. He sorted out his attitude fast.” I hiccupped another fireball and pressed my lips together. I didn’t think I’d order this again.
Vander grinned and took a sip from his mug. “What can I say? I have that effect on people.”
“Yeah.” My heart beat faster just thinking about it. He had an effect on me. “So, did you hear what they said about the flying horses?”
He nodded. “We need to head back soon, so I can speak to the Commanders about it. If the warriors are talking like that, it’s probably true. I need to know whatweknow.”
Frowning, I sipped on my drink. It was warming me to my toes already. I didn’t consume alcohol much, and this was stronger than anything I’d ever had before. But we’d only just started on this supposed night of debauchery and I didn’t want to leave already. “Have you ever heard of a winged horse?”
“Only in old tales, but I believe there is truth in many of them. Maybe that is the reason Dravyn was gone—to find these animals.” He brought his mug to his lips and peered around the room, always looking for threats. I didn’t think he could help it. It was just who he was.
I tipped my cup back, draining the liquid, and set the empty glass on the table next to us. “Well, you promised me a night of drinks and dancing, so we can’t go yet.” I swayed to the music and felt warmth tingle all over my body.
“You don’t have to stay with me. You can go do what you’d like with your friends. I’ll just sit at the bar top with Scout.”
Either he was completely oblivious to my insinuation that I wanted to dance with him, or he didn’t want to dance with me in front of everyone. There was still that trainer-apprentice wall between us, even if he stepped over that line on occasion in private.
“Oh, alright.” My disappointment soured my tone, but I glanced about the room for Taewyn and found him spinning around with the mage woman. Celine and Shadowhawk danced together. There were other apprentices I recognized, but they might expect a friendship or pursue something more that I wasn’t interested in. I didn’t dare approach Scout or any of the other trainers, but I spotted the group of warriors again. One of them watched me from across the room. He was probably the closest to my age and handsome. I might not ever see him again.
Perfect.
The Dragon’s Breath was making me feel just confident enough to go over and ask him to dance with me. I wanted the fun night I was promised, even if it wasn’t with Vander.
I felt the weight of Vander’s gaze on me as I walked away and approached the table. The man with the beard who’d nearly fought Vander smiled at me. “Hello again, young lady.”
“Hi.” I turned to the handsome man with long dark hair pulled back into a ponytail. “Do you want to dance with me?”
He grinned. “I’d love to.” He sprung up and took my hand to whisk me onto the dance floor. I giggled as he dipped me low. The lady singing on the stage next to the harp smiled at us as we spun around before her. Her voice was warm and smooth like the alcohol I’d just finished.
“I thought you came with Vander Vierroson,” he said and glanced over my shoulder. “My friend who started shit earlierdidn’t recognize him, but I did. We went to Nighthaven-West together. He’s two years older than me, however.”
“We’re just friends.” And I felt the disappointment creep in my bones at that statement. Always just friends who had each other’s backs. But I noted that although my dance partner wore the warrior uniform, he had a thick silver ring with a sapphire on his middle finger. And his accent sounded like that of nobility. He probably knew many of the same people Vander did from their upbringing.
He smiled. “Well, what’s your name? What academy did you go to?”
“Aesira. Yours?” I was ashamed to admit I didn’t want to tell him I was from Lothleton. There would be questions, and maybe even judgment.
“Eldwulf.” I chuckled at the strange name, and he playfully narrowed his eyes. “Are you laughing at my name?” He slid his hand a little lower on my back and brought my other hand up. I gripped his shoulder and tried to follow his change in steps.
“I’ve never heard it before. But it’s a good name.” I accidentally stepped on his foot, and he caught me before I stumbled.
