Chapter 42 Carwynn
CARWYNN
“Fortune’s right tit,” Aine groaned, dragging a hand down her face as she let out an exaggerated breath. Her gold-flecked freckles sparkled like tiny glinting coins in the sunlight.
“Ohhhh, Carwynn.” Breena’s giggle chimed through the air. “Think of how bored we’d be without ya!”
I grunted.
We returned to our meadow—as we now called it. The air still had a bite, but warmth settled underneath. Perfect for a picnic. We took full advantage, stuffed our packs and set off into the forest, desperate to unwind.
A velvety-soft blanket laid beneath us, cushioned by lush green grass.
Light-colored crumbs speckled the dark fabric, evidence of our stress sprinkled about.
One of our biggest commonalities was how quickly we became snackers when there was an uptick in anxiety.
But I liked to think of it as one of our sweet-treat-bonding sessions.
Pattering sounds of the nearby stream tickled my ears as I looked around, desperately pushing down my worry.
We’d been out here for over an hour, combing through every detail of my Gorta incident.
Aine confirmed that the creature was, in fact, an Ancient.
According to her, Ancients were looked upon as legends because it’d been centuries since the last person witnessed one.
Everyone had assumed they were extinct by now.
I wasn’t quite sure what to do with that information—if it should make me feel special or not for having met two.
I settled with . . . not.
After I’d told them what happened in the caves, Aine practically carved a new design in our carpet with her frantic pacing.
Breena gnawed on her lip for some time before coming up with an optimistic approach to the situation.
That being—shooting me a wicked grin and prodding for details about the kiss with Pogue. Breena and her priorities.
“You know, it’s not too late to return me,” I said, smirking, then brushed a few crumbs off my lap. “I do seem to be a magnet for chaos.”
Breena tilted her head with a smile. “Nah. It’s too late for that—you’re ours now.”
Aine gifted me a quick wink, one of her rarest gestures. I’d lock that image away for safe keeping.
A warmth spread within me. It started at the corners of my smile and extended down my body, burrowing under my ribs. Of all the horror and chaos, in this moment, I was eternally grateful to have found such friends.
“Here, drink up,” Breena offered, handing Aine and I steaming mugs.
The hot wine smelled of cinnamon, apples, and something I couldn’t place. My god, it was delicious.
“This is incredible, Breena. Really!” I said, taking another gulp.
Aine’s murmur of agreeance muffled as she tilted the cup back, swallowing.
One sip and I was already feeling lighter.
“All right, new rule. Our meadow is officially a worry-free zone. The only things allowed in are snacks, drinks, and—” My words were cleaved off.
“Cute lads for an occasional bang!” Breena cut in.
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 I this calm? 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. Like reallllly good.” 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 if we were 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 its soothing properties.”
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?”
Honey’s gaze narrowed, but there was a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
You owe me, I mouthed.
Chocolate locks came into view as Huck leaned over me. He plucked a crumb from my hair and popped it into his mouth with a little smirk.
“They’re sooooo cute!” Breena squeaked. “I call dibs on the chubby one!” Pudge did a happy dance.
“Are they housebroken?” Aine rasped, one eye already closing.
Honey put his hands on his hips, feigning offense.
I twiddled my fingers. “Pleaseeee? Take us home, you cheeky little gobl—” Honey frowned. “I mean—little saviors.”
A small, warm hand found mine. Wings fluttered, and in a flash of golden light—we were home and tucked into bed.
It was just before sleep took me that I realized—drugged or not—my friends felt like home.