33. Killian
KILLIAN
Today was the day he’d say goodbye to his father.
Not forever.
Just for now.
He hardly got any sleep. He might have, if the moaning from Riggs' room weren’t so loud. It appeared Riggs hadn’t slept either, and was already back doing the same old womanizer crap.
Who did he bring home this time? Monica? Shirley? Shanya ?
It didn’t matter which sister he decided to sleep with. Killian knew it was Riggs' way of moving on.
Maybe today, Riggs would be in a better mood.
If it was Shirley, he’d be happy. She always baked him cookies.
Monica—ehh. There’s no telling with her—it could go either way.
And Shanya…the crazy sister. The last time she had been here, she had vandalized their property and ripped out half of his mother’s garden.
Gods, please don’t be Shanya. Killian shook his head. Why am I thinking so much?
Killian sighed, running his hands across his face, and slapped his cheeks. The slightest shift on his mattress and a sharp pain shot down his spine. Killian clenched his teeth, riding out the pain.
“Fuck…” He eyed the pouch of Goolies sitting on his desk. He hadn’t taken one last night in fear of addiction, but it was too late. The withdrawals were already setting in. Fighting the burning, he slid off the bed, and crawled to them.
An addict will do just about anything for a fix?—
Minutes later, he was a new man—a moving, numb man.
At least his back didn’t hurt, and every step through his room felt like he was walking on clouds—this he could get used to. He collected his belongings: Bedrolls, his knife, food to last for a week, his pouch of coins. His Goolies—all sixty of them.
I wonder if the city of Starfall sells the pills.
He strapped his sword to his side, and walked out the door ready to say his goodbyes.
His father was already waiting in the foyer, sipping his cup of coffee when Killian descended the stairs. He hadn’t bothered walking into Riggs' room, he heard him scrambling—most likely sneaking one of the Gozy sisters out the window.
“Care for one?” Rhidian said, tapping his finger on the ceramic mug, steam rising in the candlelight.
“No, thank you,” Killian said, lips tight. If the brain fog was still present, he’d take him up on the offer, but the Goolies were doing a fabulous job with that. “Is the crate ready to go?”
Rhidian nodded. “The crate is attached to River. I trust you with it. Your brother’s mind is swarmed with other stuff. I want to trust him, but not with a thousand gold marks on the line.”
“You and Kohen already work out payment? Or will I be collecting that too?” Killian asked, adjusting his pack over his shoulder.
“We already worked it out. He paid us a year in advance,” Rhidian said, his gaze drifting toward the stairs.
“Speaking of Riggs, where is he? I need to speak with him before you two leave.” His cheeks sank.
“I feel bad for losing my temper, especially since I don’t know when I’ll see you two again. ”
Killian nodded. “You were valid. Don’t feel bad. I yelled at him too.”
“Still…” Rhidian embraced Killian. “I love you, son.”
“I love you too, pops.” Good thing the pain was suppressed. There would have been no hiding his wince with the amount of pressure his father had around him.
Chest swelling, Killian and his father pressed their foreheads together for their final farewell. “I’ll be seeing you,” Killian said, chest caving. He hated saying goodbye—hated it.
“If anyone fucks with you guys—” Rhidian stepped back, pointing a stern finger.
“Hit first, ask questions later.” Killian gave him a nod. “I know.”
Rhidian jerked his chin toward Killian’s face. “Hopefully whoever left that mark looks worse than you.”
Killian’s hand floated to his cheek. He had almost forgotten the bruising. He hadn’t told his father about the escapee.
Some things are better not said.
Rhidian squinted, pointing at his eye. “He got you good.”
Killian brushed him off with a laugh. “The other guy looked worse. I heard he could barely walk.”
“Is that right?” His father gripped his shoulder. “Good thing it wasn’t you. I cannot imagine traveling with a bad back.” Rhidian bunched his brows. “You’re going to need all the strength you can get.”
Killian rocked on his heels. “Tell me about it. It would be a…inconvenience.”
Goolies will help with that.
Rhidian sipped his coffee, his gaze gravitating toward the stairs again. “There he is.”
Killian turned and his mouth dropped. Riggs thundered down the stairs with not one bag, but two slung over his shoulders, grinning from ear to ear.
“You ready?” Killian asked.
“I was born ready,” Riggs said, a mischievous gleam shining in his eyes.