I held my hand out, gesturing for him to join me on the floor. The isolation wasn’t good for my thoughts. Especially when they were screaming against a pounding headache. “Like I was just found passed out in the woods… again.”
He laughed gently. “Hopefully, these help.” He sat with his legs crossed and placed the glasses in front of me.
“Thanks.” I double-fisted each drink to take turns addressing my ailments. “Sorry you put so much work into healing my body just for me to make it sick immediately.”
“You’re keeping me on my toes,” he teased with a hesitant grin. “But that’s okay. You’ve been through a lot.”
I tried to force memories of last night to the surface. I remembered laughter, socializing, and some kind of fuss when I got home. I couldn’t recall the details, but figured I could fill in the blanks of what we did wrong. I had been careless. There was a fine line between fun drunk and annoying drunk, and I had surely skipped right over it. Now here I was, a sentient puddle of bile glued to the porcelain in a world of magical creatures.
“I talked to Mykie, she’s sorry she didn’t give you more guidance on our local libations. It won’t happen again.” Hesnapped his finger against his palm as if trying to strike a flint with steel. I had seen the same behavior before when he was upset, and wondered why the tick was manifesting now.
“Oh, no, Graysen, don’t blame her for this.” I cringed that he was attributing my condition to his friend’s irresponsibility. “I’m a grown woman. She didn’t spike my drink or anything.”
His fingers quickened their clicking, and his eyes peered at me seriously from beneath his lashes.Wrong word choice, I guess. It was hard to reconcile Graysen’s nurturing nature with his intensity. The logical voice in my head swung on a pendulum of safe versus unsafe, but the longer I spent in his presence, the more my gut felt certain that he was, at the very least, well-meaning. There was an undeniable protectiveness in every expression and word. The intention seemed clear; I just needed to figure out if that was enough. Becausesomethingwas off.
“Theo is nice.” I tried changing the subject.
His eyes lifted, and he leaned against the tub with bent knees, resting his wrists limply over their caps. “Theo was my first friend here. He gave me a job when I was drifting purposeless without a coin to my name. It was nice to have somebody care after being alone for so long. He even kept a roof over my head for a full star cycle—until I had enough saved to shelter myself.”
“Thanks for passing that kindness forward.” I raised my glass in an appreciative “cheers” gesture. That said, there was no way he showed up with as much baggage as I had.
“That pub means a lot to me. The responsibility kept me going when I was at my lowest. It was a very dark time for me. When I didn’t think I could manage to live another day, it gave me a sense of community. I met my closest friend there. I know it’s nothing fancy and the crowd can be a bit rowdy, but I owe everything to Theo and his business.”
“I’d like to go back sometime when I’m more myself.” If I ever figured out who she was. “I’m sure last night was embarrassing. Maybe I can make a better second impression.”
His chin titled to the side empathetically. “Are you embarrassed? Faeryn, it’s the liveliest pub in town. I guarantee you didn’t even make thelistof concerning behaviors. You didn’t dance on any tables or start a fight, did you?”
Relieved by the funny mental image, I let out a chuckling sigh. “No, nothing like that. I’m probably just hypersensitive to everything right now. My situation feels… precarious. New world? Who cares. No big deal.” I rolled my eyes and took another sip of water.
“Quite precarious,” he agreed. “But we’ll figure it out together.” He lifted his hand, hesitating for a moment, before resting it over mine comfortingly. His warm palm melted into my clammy skin. I was grateful he braved the moment of intimacy—it was the most grounding sensation I’d had since I arrived. Could touch feel this real in a coma? It didn’t seem likely.
“I don’t think I’ll be doing any figuring out today.” I allowed my skull to thud back against the wall. “But Trebianna isn’t going anywhere. And for the time being, I don’t think I am either.”
“There’s a whole world to explore…” His eyes strayed to the floor next to him in thought. His lips remained parted; he was about to say more.
My stomach rumbled to life.
“When did you eat last?”
I scrunched up my face and wondered how he would respond if I mentioned all I had yesterday were pub snacks. Alcohol poisoning chic.
He must have understood what my expression meant, because his mouth twisted in disapproval. “What can I make you that would feel palatable?”
“I don’t know Trebianna’s food well enough to say. What would you want to eat after a wild night out?”
“Ah, sounds like it's a good day for my mom’s vegetable stew. The perfect food for sick children and even sicker adults.”
“Sounds great.” He moved to stand, but I grabbed his wrist and pulled him back to my level. “Will you sit with me a little longer? Being stuck alone with my thoughts is unbearable.” It was a vulnerable request, but after several hours of playing vomit, dread, repeat, I was grateful to have his presence quiet my inner monologue.
“I’ll hold your hair.” He brushed a strand out of my face, gently tracing my cheek with his thumb in the process.
I had no intention of letting him stay should my stomach turn on me again, but the offer was sweet and put me at ease. He was quite charming when I wasn’t questioning his every intention. I had the strangest feeling that last night had softened the strain between us, despite the messiness. In fact, just spending time in the community had softened me towards this strange new world. For the first time, my dreams were a peaceful darkness. Finally, a night without being trapped in the blinding white cage. Thanks, alcohol!
That freedom came with a lot of guilt, knowing I shouldn’t be content being away from that woman’s voice. What if she was somebody important to me? I knew she would be back soon enough; I could feel her trying to claw her way back into my mind. My next night’s dreams would surely let her in. Once she returned, I would look for more answers. For now, I had banter to engage in and stew to eat.
Faeryn
I hugged my knees to my chest in the fetal position, a bead of sweat trickling across the bridge of my nose. Maybe it was a tear. My muscles contracted as if something were alive underneath them. I was certain the unseen threat was passing through my body in search of viscera to consume. It was only a matter of time before my organs were compromised.
