“Davyeras got on my case for not cooperating with you.” I exhale, and it displaces snowflakes on their path to the already coated steps. “And while I could be pissed that they all expected some brilliant breakthrough afterfive days,I get it. We should’ve gotten over our bullshit and worked together. So,” I straighten my spine, “if you’re sober enough to remember this conversation, I’m ready to get to work when we’re back in the lab next week. If you won’t remember, well, I guess I’ll have to give this dazzling speech again Monday morning.”
Elethior’s lips cock. “I’m not drunk.”
“Sure you’re not, Chuckles.”
“I had one glass. I’m not drunk. I—” He looks at the windows next to the door that show the blurry forms of the guests within. His voice gentles. “I’ve always wanted to speak to her like you did. Arasne’s an insufferable, pretentious drone.”
My eyes widen.
And then I’m the one losing it, laughing so hard my sides split.
Elethior watches me, one side of his mouth lifted in amusement, but it isn’t at my expense. And I laugh more until, yeah, I can believe he’s not drunk.
I take my glasses off, wiping my eyes and cleaning the smudges of snowflakes off the lenses, before I settle enough to catch Elethior’s questioning look.
“I’m pretty sure I’ve used those words to describe you,” I explain. “So to hearyousay that about your own family is… really weird.”
He shrugs. “Well, that seems to be the theme of most situations that involve you.”
I hold his gaze, tongue working along my teeth. “If you’re not drunk, then what do you say? We don’t have to like each other. But we need to work together. Can you do that?”
He rolls his eyes. “I believe I was the one who originally tried to broach a truce, so yes, Sebastian. I can do that.”
“Well, your attempt at forging peace between our warring nations crumbled, so I get credit for it being a success now.”
Elethior’s face hardens. Ah,thereit is, a flash of our old animosity. Nice to see it isn’t completely gone.
I grin triumphantly and hook my thumb over my shoulder. “Should we take this new united front back in and wow the Armani socks off those donors?”
The snow’s slowing down, but he’s still coated in flakes, tiny glittering specks of white.
He tips his head up to the sky one more time, and I recognize the gathering of strength, the frantic scramble to cling to resolve.
I’d be doing the same if I was able. But I don’t show vulnerability around anyone other than Orok. Just grit my teeth, make an inappropriate joke, and compartmentalize my breakdowns for later.
“I suppose,” he says, no small amount of reluctance in his voice.
My stomach sinks. I don’t know why I care.
“Or,” I say, “we could fuck off, and I can spell a ward over the door so everyone who leaves the party tonight after us gets hit with painful diarrhea.”
Elethior arches anare you seriouseyebrow.
He climbs the stairs to stand at my side, taller than me again. Asshole.
“Don’t strain your abilities with such complicated magic,” he tells me with another of his haughty smirks. “You’ll need all your strength to keep up with me next week.”
My face falls. “Dick.”
He clutches his chest, walking backward up the rest of the stairs, leaving footprints in the snow. “Ouch. All out of insults tonight already? My, you reallywon’tbe able to keep up with me.”
“I—but with the—oh, just.” And I flip him off.
He barks a laugh and vanishes back inside, leaving me alone with the falling snow, wondering what the hell happened.
I guess Elethior and I are… notfriendsnow, gods forbid. But… partners?
What is the world coming to.
