Chapter 62
CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
You’d think that being a part of the most unlikely friend group this world has ever seen would involve something a lot more insane than the events of the past year. But apparently not.
All it took was a round of brutal Atonement Trials, being imprisoned in an ice palace, fighting for our lives as entertainment for the Unseelie Court, a couple of sneaky schemes, some betrayal by allies, a heist, finding a legendary dragon clan, making deals with dryads, fighting the greatest battle of our age, and bringing down a millennia-old dynasty by killing two immortal monarchs.
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 the tabletop 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 of everyone 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 I would do.
” 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’s how 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. “I am an 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.”
Orion narrows his eyes and leans back while crossing his arms. “I can’t believe I fell for that.”
“Don’t pout, pretty boy,” Isera says. There is a knowing glint in her eyes as she gives him a long look. “You were cheating too. You’re just mad because she was better at it.”
“That is entirely beside the point,” he huffs. A disappointed frown creases his brows as he shakes his head at himself. “I really wanted that house here on the Western Isles that she was betting.”
“Well, you know what to do when life gives you lemons,” Draven says with a shrug.
Orion gives him a flat look. “Make lemonade?”
“No. Squeeze them in people’s eyes.” Draven shoots him a bewildered frown. “What the fuck is lemonade?”
Orion bursts out laughing. Not his usual refined snicker or a smug kingly chuckle. This is a laugh that comes all the way from his soul, and the sound of it warms my heart.
His black and silver eyes glitter as he gives Draven a teasing grin. “Oh you really are uncultured, aren’t you?”
“Careful now, princeling.” Draven smirks back. “Or I might change my mind about the house I was about to gift you and Isera here on the main island.”
Light floods Orion’s eyes, but he still keeps up the pretense of a sly smile while nonchalantly flicking his long dark blue hair back behind his shoulder. “I knew it. You really can’t get enough of basking in my glorious presence.”
I throw a piece of bread at him. “Well, if His Glorious Majesty is finished, let’s make a toast.”
Orion tries to shoot me a threatening look while brushing the breadcrumb off his fancy garments, but it’s entirely ruined by the smile he can’t hide.
Candlelight glitters in the glasses as everyone grabs theirs and raises it.
For a few seconds, I just look at them all in silence. My mate. My friends. This extraordinary group of people that I now call family.
“To us,” I say, holding up my glass. “And new adventures to come.”
“New adventures!” they all reply.
Warmth fills my soul as I drink from the sparkling wine in my glass while watching my friends do the same.
The path here was rough. It was filled with pain and grief and sacrifices.
Heartache and sorrow and utter exhaustion.
But there is no one I would rather have gone through this life-changing journey with than these six people.
I have felt alone and unwanted for most of my life. But now, here, I finally feel at home.
Draven pulls me onto his lap and kisses my temple.
I laugh and swat him on the shoulder. But inside, my heart is fluttering with love and warmth.
And as the golden sun sinks into the sea outside and a glittering night rises, I drink in that feeling. This wonderful feeling of light and warmth. Of love and friendship. Of us. And as I do, one thought keeps pulsing through my head. One thought that is now written on the walls of my heart.
I got everything.
I got fucking everything.
And when we at last leave the tavern behind and wander out into the open air outside, I feel drunk.
Not on alcohol. On that incredible feeling.
I don’t want this night to end. But I also know that there will be many more nights like this to come.
Because now, we finally have time. Time to enjoy life to the fullest.
“Don’t forget,” Isera says as we all trail to a halt in the middle of the final crossroads that will take us all back to our respective homes for the evening.
“Orion and I expect you all for winter solstice. Actually, the day before. Because apparently,” she gives the Unseelie King a sideways glance, “the celebration is supposed to last for three entire days.”
“Everyone knows that any good party has to be at least three days long,” he replies with a flourishing wave of his hand. “And besides, little viper, you’re the one who couldn’t decide on a single menu, which is why we needed three.”
“Wait,” I interrupt, raising my eyebrows. “You’re cooking?”
“I don’t cook.” She jerks her chin towards Alistair instead. “He’s the one with fire magic.” Her silver and blue eyes glitter in the light of the moon as she flashes him a grin. “Get to it, Flambé.”
He snorts and then chuckles. “Fine.”
“We’ll bring the wine,” I offer.
“What are you bringing then, ice lady?” Alistair asks, still looking at Isera.
She looks him dead in the eye and replies, “Ice.”
A ridiculous giggle escapes my mouth.
“You can’t put ice in wine!” Lyra and Orion exclaim at the same time.
Both of them pause, turning to look at each other in surprise.
“Why not?” I ask.
“It ruins the texture,” Orion declares at the same time as Lyra says, “It dilutes the alcohol.”
We all laugh while they give each other an incredulous look.
“Regardless,” Isera picks up, and gives us all a long look. “We expect you all the day before winter solstice.”
“We’ll be there,” I promise.
The others nod as well.
For a few seconds, we all just look from face to face.
Then Lyra flashes us all a wide grin and lifts two fingers to her brow in a salute. “New adventures.”
“New adventures!” we all echo.
Warmth pulses through my soul as I give my friends one last smile before Draven and I stroll back towards our home here on the Western Isles.