Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 126030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
“I am very seriously thinking about it. Blood flow was hampered a moment ago. It was all down around my Lady Land. I feel faint, and the butterflies are making my stomach dodgy.”
“Been there.” Jasper nodded in commiseration. “I have definitely been there.”
They stopped halfway to the bar. Jasper looked right. Down the way was the sign for the restrooms.
“I’m good.” She took her arm from his. “Any word from Indigo?”
The guys hadn’t been able to reach her earlier. She was probably off with Edgar somewhere, looking at flowers. His lips twisted, and he shook his head.
“Okay.” She steeled herself. She needed to stay in the headspace of the Captain. It helped prop her up. “It’s fine. I’ll stay a little longer, hope the hair of the dog helps, and then I’ll slip out the backdoor.”
Niamh and Phil sat in the same place they had yesterday, Nessa remembered that much. Once Niamh found a spot she liked, she didn’t usually deviate. Gerard would probably find his way over later when he was done playing host.
She stopped in front of an open stool beside Niamh, the only one vacant in the whole place.
“Is someone here?” She pointed at the empty space.
“No,” Phil said. “Niamh keeps scaring everyone away. It’s funny.”
“It’s so easy, like.” Niamh took a sip of her cider. “They’re all rattled from the skirmish today. I think they think I’m the phoenix. I’m leaning into it.”
Nessa plopped down. “Sorry if I was—“
“Not at all,” Niamh interrupted her.
Phil’s hair puffed up in a warning. “We don’t say sorry for having fun,” he growled. “We have it, we pay for the damage, and we move on.”
Said the creature who killed anyone that gave him offense.
“Okay.” She sagged against the bar. It was easier to just agree.
“Besides, you all provided great entertainment,” Phil went on.
“Not to mention you did a great job stirring the pot.” Niamh nodded. “Sure, yis were probably responsible for that raid-style push-back up there today. Before that, they just seemed like they might cause a ruckus. This was a full-scale battle. In their opinion, anyway. This was much better. All the taunting you gave was spot on.”
“Much.” Phil nodded sagely. “It was worth the hassle of changing bars to spread the taunting.”
Memories flooded back to her. She’d called out insults, made random judgements, and talked loud and long about the convocation’s superiority. Niamh had often started it, and Nessa had run with it, dragging everyone else with her.
“Oh, god,” she murmured, putting her head on the bar.
“She drunk again?” The bartender stopped in front of her.
“No.” She picked up her head, her gaze momentarily swimming. “I haven’t had a drink yet. I’m debating if I really should.”
“Probably not,” the bartender replied. She didn’t remember, because she’d never ordered her own drinks, but it was probably the same guy from last night.
“If we want yer opinion, we’ll give it to ya,” Niamh told him. “Can’t ye see the girl needs the cure? Get her top shelf whiskey with an ice cube, a lemon zest, and a Coke back.”
Nessa groaned.
“Make it a couple ice cubes,” Niamh amended.
“Did I do anything I will regret when I hear about it?” Nessa asked.
“Probably,” Phil said as Niamh said, “Nah.”
Nessa groaned again, bracing her head on her forearms. “Do I want to know?”
“Definitely not,” Phil replied. “Listen, regret is only for the things you didn’t do. Last night, you did it all. There’s no point in regretting that.”
Nessa winced. “All of what?”
“All of nothing, that’s what.” Niamh took the drink from the bartender. “Here, start with the cola. Get a little sugar in ya.”
She sat up and did as instructed. It couldn’t hurt.
“Ye stole a few weapons, threatened a few women, and passed out on that gargoyle-monster.” Niamh passed over the whiskey once Nessa was done. “All in a day’s work. Anyone who says different is lying. Now, go back over to Tristan. Pretend like ya like him. It’s good for business.”
She didn’t know what that meant, and she greatly suspected Niamh was glossing over things, but she didn’t have the ability to care right now.
“Okay,” she said, shakily standing from the bar and making her way back. Halfway there she would’ve normally flicked her hair over her shoulder and smiled at the group of guys looking her way. It was the easiest way to make connections that she might need for information down the road. Thankfully, there was no need for that here. She didn’t have the ability for it, anyway.
As she neared their section, Gerard’s lead enforcer stepped in front of her, blocking her way. “You’re Nessa, correct?” he said, looking at her with heated eyes. “Did I remember that correctly?”
From two seconds ago when he must’ve heard Gerard use it?
She worked up a smile. “Yes, hello. And you are?”
“Sam, the lead enforcer for Khaavalor.”