Epilogue
Avelina
When the train isn’t caused to erupt on the tracks, it can take a week to get to the capital city from Parandor.
Avelina spent that time, between catching up on sleep and eating everything the dining car had to offer, calling Tala.
She staggered her calls, calling at different times on different days to try and catch her best friend.
The problem with the stones was, if Tala wasn’t there to hear it, she wouldn’t know Avelina called.
And while she did her best not to fret over the lack of communication between the two, she felt the churning deep in her gut.
It took everything not to let it get to her.
Much distraction was done on Callum’s part, and he played it well.
Avelina would be sorry about the stains they left…
well…if she felt even the slightest bit ashamed that she spent most of the nights stuffed in that cabin. Stuffed with him.
Thankfully, a day before she got to the city, she finally caught Tala. Tipsy Top Inn. That’s where they were meant to meet. Her heart nearly tore out of her chest.
“Ya alright, little viper?” Callum teased as they ducked out with the crowds.
Before anyone could question their lack of luggage or belongings, they mixed themselves up in the crowd.
Dust kicked up in heavy puffs. She coughed, waving her hands in front of her face to fan it away.
Callum gave her back a heavy pat. She elbowed him in the gut.
Callum wheezed with laughter as he held his stomach.
“Easy, darlin. We’ve been canned beans for a while. Nothin’ on me’s been stretched.”
“That’s a lie,” she snorted, glancing over her shoulder at him.
In the light of day, he glittered. His hair was glossy from all the soap, falling around him in clean tresses.
He’d stolen someone’s wide-brimmed hat and wore it proudly along with their linen shirt.
They worried his belts full of knives might give him away, so he only wore one and the other was in their satchel.
Callum grinned easily, showing off his pearly fangs.
In the week they’d been on the train, they lived like kings.
Eating gourmet food, showering every day, shopping for things from people’s trunks that were woefully unattended.
It’s almost like they don’t expect two outlaws to ride this thing?
She was in some fancy brown skirt with ruffles, a linen blouse, and a corset belt.
It made her feel pulled together, but Avelina was also fully prepared to be a swamp creature once more.
So long as they did it together, she didn’t mind.
Answering her, he curled up around her back and huskily spoke into her ear, “Now, now, we’re in public. Wouldn’t wanna get in trouble for public indecency, would we? But, keep up the back talk and I’ll stretch ya out good, darlin’.”
“I’m counting on it,” she hummed. Avelina pushed up on her toes and stole a kiss. Then, before he could flap his gums further and get himself in trouble, she pushed a finger against his lips as she parted from them. “Now, we need to head to The Tipsy Top Inn.”
“Pfft,” he sputtered, rolling his yellow, slitted orbs. “Stupid fuckin’ name.”
“Why? It’s where you get tipsy?” She laughed, hands on her hips.
The pair stepped off the platform, onto the dusty gravel road that led the departing denizens into Eshorion.
She couldn’t help the giant grin on her face as she stared up at the glowing city.
Magic orbs whizzed over her head, carried upon a hot breeze.
The smell of fried foods mixed with the stench of people, of life as the city opened around them.
“I hate puns,” Callum grumbled to himself.
He flipped one of the food carts a couple coins to swipe a glistening stick full of meat and veggies.
Avelina waited till he’d finished blowing on it to offer her a bite.
Unfortunately, as soon as he put it in front of her, and her mouth opened, he swiped it back toward himself.
Fucker. She didn’t hesitate to punch at his gut.
Her slathair was much faster than her. Slithering out of reach, he fished the rest of the snack off the stick.
Callum wiggled his brows at her suggestively as he trashed the wooden skewer.
Avelina fished some coin from her pockets.
Not my coin, someone else’s that doesn’t need it anymore.
She slapped it into the open palm of the vendor and took her own stick of roasted meat and vegetables.
“You rotten bastard,” she snarled much like a cat does, gnawing at her own food.
She didn’t even care she burned her tongue a little.
Callum returned to her side. A palm firmly on her backside, he left a palm print against her rear before guiding her away from other witnesses.
Avelina shook her newly naked skewer at him threateningly.
“You’re supposed to be groveling, you know. ”
“Ain’t that what I’m doin?” He peered at her with faux innocence.
“I hope Tala breaks your nose.” Avelina scowled.
“Yeah, yeah, big scary lady in a poofy skirt,” he sneered.
She couldn’t correct him, because his lips were on hers again.
It pulled the corners of her mouth up with a goofy smile.
He kissed her like a love drunk fool, his palms against her cheeks.
When Callum pulled away, it felt like he was pained to do so, with a groan.
“Darlin, ya sure I can’t convince ya to grab a room with me somewhere else first? ”
“No!” She laughed, grabbing his hand. “You’re meeting her.”
“I ain’t say I wouldn’t…I just don’t wanna break yer heart when she likes me more than you.” His eyes shifted away in a lie.
“Yeah, okay,” she scoffed.
“What? I’m a very personable person,” he slapped a palm against his chest. Avelina rolled her eyes, openly mocking him by mimicking his words.
Callum grinned from ear to ear as they wove further through the crowds.
Much to her delight, his distraction was exactly what she needed to make it to the Inn without pulling her hair out.
They made it to the front steps, music trickling out the doors, and not once was she struck by fear of what would happen.
Tala…will you even recognize me? Her outward appearance was something of a debate between her and Callum.
He said she was as beautiful as when he snatched her in the swamp.
But Avelina saw a whole other woman in the mirror.
She wasn’t sure how to describe it. Like she’d emerged out of a shell, the Avelina stood in front of The Tipsy Top Inn was not the girl who shuffled onto the train behind her father weeks prior.
The cheering from within enticed her. Avelina slunk forward, poking her head through the swinging, wooden doors.
Familiar wooden walls with burned embellishments invited the pair both in.
Fairy lights lit up the stage in a warm glow while the rest of the establishment was more smokey.
Dim, intimate flames danced from candles on tables to the back, but the rest were covered in drinks.
Food, drinks, and people filled the Inn.
Avelina glanced at their usual booth to find it empty.
Two men stood on stage, but Avelina didn’t notice their sound.
Her attention was on the booth nearest to the stage where a familiar face leaned over the table.
Oh, we’ve never sat there, too close, too easily seen by who was on stage.
Tala looked…different. She’s wearing her hair differently?
Tala looked peaceful too. No more shifty eyes, tense shoulders, hands clawed across the table lady. Her best friend was…slouching!
Avelina stumbled into the Inn, breathless.
That’s her! Her stomach clenched up in giddy excitement.
Tala! She wanted to gallop across the crowded floor.
Move! Get out the way! She elbowed some loitering asshole in the ribs and barreled across the room to the booth.
Avelina slapped her hands onto the tabletop, beaming and panting for air. “Tala!”
Tala’s shock was written all over her features. Wide eyes, mouth ajar, she looked like she was face to with a face. “Avie!”
Avelina didn’t want to cry but it happened regardless. Her heart was in her throat, and all the words tumbled out at once. “Look at you! I hardly recognized you! You’re so relaxed! What are those in your hair—I missed you.”
“I--holy shit, did you get in a fight with a sewing needle? What happened to your face?” Tala reached out, but her palms hesitated an inch from her cheeks. Avie nearly thrust herself into her best friend’s touch, just to soak in it. Just to feel it again.
Avelina giggled, stomach aching for many reasons, but mostly how it was tied up in knots. “Sewing needle? No. Several men with a grudge? Yes. What have you been doing? I’ve been trying to get ahold of you for days!”
“You were?” Tala shook her head, making the little charms and beads in her hair tinkle. Her face was grim and apologetic. Tala continued, “What am I saying, of course you were. You’re a good person, not some asshole who would fuck off for no good reason. Shit, that came out wrong.”
Avelina wheezed, crawling into the booth.
Despite how Tala abstained from touching her, Avelina was not of the same mind.
She threw her arms around her best friend and squeezed her.
After a solid chunk of time, lute playing in the background to cover up the thunder of her heart, she pulled back and confessed.
“I didn’t fuck off, and I didn’t want to abandon you. It’s all…well…kinda his fault.”
Avelina jabbed a thumb in Callum’s direction. He scoffed, hands to his hips. “Throwin’ me under the train already, little viper? How crude.”
“Shut up! You kidnapped me!”
“It was a mutual partnership,” Callum laughed, clearly trying to schmooze Tala.
“It’s now a mutual partnership,” Avie explained with a wheeze at Tala.