Epilogue #3
“Where’s Callum!” She laughed, throwing herself out of the booth to scramble after her outlaw.
To his credit, he leaned by the bar with three mugs full of frothing ale already poured.
Like he expected it. She grinned, swimming through the crowd.
He waited, a pillar in the turbulent sea of bodies all dancing.
The bards started up another riotous song that enticed people to settle close, throwing hands in the air.
Avelina made it to Callum and pointed at the drinks.
“These wouldn’t happen to be for me and Tala, would they? ”
“Second rule of being an outlaw, Darlin,” he snickered. Leaning into her ear, he stole a quick nip of her lobe before he continued, “Never let the ale stop flowin’.”
“That’s a terrible rule.”
“I thought it was clever.” Callum kissed her hard on the cheek before putting the glasses in her hand. “Remember, we can’t stay in the city. Paladins will come for us, darlin. Best we get a move on after tonight. If you want to keep her, best to convince her that journeyin’ with us is a good idea.”
Avelina studied his face. Right. Journeying with us.
They talked about it on the train. Being outlaws meant being on the run from the law.
Thus, Eshorion was a poor place to be for two wanted murders.
Even if the Paladins think we’re dead. She steeled her shoulders and waded through the clumped crowd once more.
When she got to the booth, she put the mug down in front of Tala and blurted out.
“What will it cost to get you to go on a road trip with me?”
“Um, depends on where and when. I kinda got locked into a two-month deal with those two on stage. Normally, I’d ditch, but there was this whole thing with King Oryin’vel at the castle with his daughter and now I’m under contract to go on the road to the Dreadflats and back with Cashmere Fantasy.”
Go on the road to the Dreadflats? Avelina beamed, settling down onto the cushion.
“That’s actually perfect. You see…cause I’m not just fucking an outlaw.
I’m…a fucking outlaw. So, maybe we hitch a ride with you.
Or just follow along. And we can both catch up on what is clearly, two very big, very long stories to be shared over a lot of ale? ”
“I mean, they are grossly well off,” Tala gestured to the stage. “I’ll have to get them to convince their manager, but probably doable. Does Hissermouth over there have to come with? He looks like buzzkill.”
Avelina threw her head back, barking with laughter. “I love you,” she wheezed, squeezing Tala’s hand affectionately. “I love you so fucking much. And yes, Callum goes everywhere with me. Don’t worry. You’ll enjoy beating him up. Promise.”
Avelina gave Tala’s hand another squeeze with a wink.
The song came to an end, and the distinct loss of invigorating music was felt.
She blinked and caught sight of the two bards from the stage jumping down to the floor proper.
They sauntered up to the booth. One of them blew a kiss to the crowd with the swagger a sweaty man who knew they could make anyone swoon at a drop of a hat.
The other gave sweet waves to the crowd.
However, the second they met the booth, they dropped in and their full attention was on Tala.
“Tala, my princess, are you going to make introductions?” the shorter bard with long, blueish green hair purred.
“Yeah, sunshine, don’t keep us anticipating,” the taller of them waggled his brows suggestively at Tala.
“Fuck. You.” Tala said before turning to Avelina. “Avie, this is Casimine and Ameriden. Boys, this is my best friend, be nice or I’ll kick your teeth in.”
Avelina giggled, throwing a hand over the table to offer them a shake. “It’s so nice to meet you!”
“Avie, what a pleasure.” Casimine pressed a curt, formal kiss to her knuckles.
“We heard so much about you.” Ameriden grinned.
Avelina beamed, taking up her mug once more.
She couldn’t help the shameless push. I am not losing her after I just got her back.
Avelina didn’t become a warlock and an outlaw to not have her cake and eat it too.
She was keeping her best friend right where she belonged, at her side.
“And I can’t wait to hear more about you both.
I hope you don’t mind, but my friend and I are going to join your bandwagon… so to speak.”
“Well, we would have to discuss it first,” Casimine said.
Ameriden nodded. “Yeah, right now we’re kind of enjoy this throuple thing—”
“Not like that, you fucking arrogant dickhead!” Tala exclaimed.
Avelina snickered. She glanced over the top of the booth, giving Callum a nod.
He slithered their way as she settled back into the seat.
Raising her glass to them, she was sure in the hours that were to come, she could get them to agree.
She was a warlock now, after all. Dirty deals and contracts were like her thing.
She giggled, “To enjoying the fruits of our labor.”
Tala shot her a dirty look, but the boys already had their glasses raised.
Avelina caught the flutter of shabby lace behind the stage and followed it.
Her patron flitted out of view, her lace floating like a ghost behind her.
The Dead Mother was smiling. Avelina returned her attention to the table and took a sip of her ale. We’ve got all night and then some.
What a wild journey we’ve both taken. I can’t wait to hear what happened on hers…