53. Jaxus
FIFTY-THREE
JAXUS
“ L et me buy another round.” I picked up the mugs of ale, but Faolan put his hand on my wrist. I lifted a brow.
He tipped his chin. “Maybe only you should have another.”
I understood his meaning. “None of you are any fun,” I slurred my speech a little, stumbling as I stood from the table. I set the mug on the bar and held up two fingers.
The barkeep looked me over. I set the coins on the counter, and he shrugged, refilling the mugs and sliding them over to me. I took them back to the table, keeping both. “Don’t you even look at them,” I warned my brother.
Drystan rolled his eyes.
Faolan laughed. “Who knew of all of us rowdy youngins, you’d be the drunk.”
I made a rude gesture. “ You would too if you were trapped here.” I didn’t moderate my tone .
“You need to go to bed.”
“Sod off. I can have a drink.” I kept up the slur of my words, leaning into the act.
“Drink them, then I’m taking you home.” Faolan gave me a serious look.
“What are you worried about?” I narrowed my eyes.
Faolan waved his hand at me. “Every decision you’ve made over the last fortnight or more.”
I scoffed and downed the ale. “Where’s my mate?” I glanced around like I’d just noticed she wasn’t there.
“She’s still at work with my father.” Faolan snatched the second mug before I could stop him and downed it. “Come on. I have an early shift.”
I didn’t move, but Faolan grabbed under my arm and hauled me to my feet. Drystan took my other side, and I let myself go deadweight for a few seconds. They groaned, keeping me on my feet, but they stumbled, and Drystan hit the table with his hip.
“Gods, what has Mum been feeding you since you got home?” Drystan grunted.
“Don’t you dare make fun of me for enjoying a home cooked meal after being away so long.” My tone dripped with emotion, and I took a shuddering breath.
“He’s not going to cry, is he?” Faolan groaned.
“He might,” Drys muttered as he pushed open the door to the tavern, moving out into the cool air.
The wind howled over the mountain, and it smelled like a storm was brewing. I almost forgot myself wanting to tip my head back and inhale the fresh air.
“I can walk.” I shoved at them, getting free only to pretend to trip and fall to a knee.
“You can’t walk, and you need your bed.” My brother put his hand on his hips.
“Take me to Kiera. She’s working too much.” I turned in the general direction of the clinic and power walked towards it .
“Do you blame her when you’re acting like this?” Drystan muttered before jogging to catch up.
“Have fun with that,” Faolan called out. “I’m hitting the hay.”
“You’re not even going to help me get him home?” Drys turned around to walk backwards, not trying to keep his voice low despite the late hour.
“He’s your brother!”
“He’s your friend!” Drys grabbed my sleeve as I swayed sideways. “This way. Maybe she can give you a tonic to sober you up.”
“May the Goddess favor you and your endeavors.”
Drystan lifted his hand, holding a crass gesture over his head.
We got to the clinic where Kiera waited, letting us in the front.
She fawned over me until we got to a private room. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Let me grab him something.” She slipped back out, but we weren’t alone long.
Faolan and Emrys entered a few moments later.
“This is it?” Drystan looked between them like he couldn’t believe it. “I thought we were doing this next week?”
“There is a huge storm coming over the mountains. I got word before I met you two at the tavern. As soon as it hits, we need to go. It’s the best cover we could have asked for.”
“You think less time is better?” Drys turned to me.
“Faolan knows better than me. I’m the distraction.” I lifted my shoulders.
“I think we are ready. More time only gives us room to second guess ourselves.”
“If there are second guesses, maybe we aren’t ready.” Drystan said in a tone I couldn’t place. Almost like there was friction between them.
It had to be nerves .
They’d always gotten along and been in the vicinity of one another after my longstanding relationship with Emrys.
Emrys seemed the least bothered of all of them. Even less so than Faolan.
I didn’t have time to dwell on it. Kiera knocked and came back in, handing me a small glass. “It will help clear the rest of the alcohol from your blood.”
I downed the drink and then coughed, eyes burning, feeling like my tongue was on fire. “What wickedness is that?!”
“Something I showed her.” Emrys held out stones on strings. “These will help us keep on the same time. They are set to touch. Squeeze it, and it will grow warm for all of us, tap it, and the rest will feel it. And last, and only if you are in dire peril, smash it on the ground. It will echo out your location to the rest of us so we can come. The last should not be used lightly. It will let everyone know where you are.”
“Understood,” I said as I accepted the stone and put the thin rope around my neck. “You all have your tasks. Are we ready?” I looked at Faolan.
“We have half a candle mark until the storm breaks. As soon as the sky opens up, we go. I’ll tap the stone three times.” Faolan left first, followed by Emrys.
Drystan lingered but didn’t speak.
“Say it,” I said at length.
“We don’t feel ready. I’m worried he’s taking unnecessary risks.” It was clear who Drystan meant.
“We have to trust each other. He’s done things like this before. I believe he knows best.” I put my hand on my brother’s shoulder. “I love you. I wouldn’t lead you into unnecessary risk.”
He grabbed my arm and pulled me in. We embraced, and he left.
Kiera toed the ground when we were alone.
“Come here.” I wrapped her up in a hug. “I’ll be fine.”
“Promise me.” She cupped my face.
“I promise you.”