Page 70 of Journey to the Elderoak
“No more whiskey,” she scolded, dragging her through the tavern.
The three of them exited into the night, the moon blurry above Ava as she looked at the stars. Fanya bid them goodnight and headed to her home in town near her bakery and Quinn practically carried Ava to the castle.
They made it back and walked through the gardens to the back entrance. Casimir and Raine were sitting outside on the ground against one of the low walls surrounding the training rings.
Quinn stopped before them, her arm around Ava’s waist while Ava leaned into her for support. “Hullo, fae brutuses,” Ava drawled.
Raine burst out laughing. “Oh, fuck. It seems the dainty human can’t handle her alcohol.”
“She’s pathetic. But said some interesting things,” Quinn said, looking pointedly at Casimir.
Ava put her finger on Quinn’s lips. “Shhh…secrets.”
Quinn rolled her eyes and stepped away. “She’s your problem now.”
Ava grabbed Quinn’s face and yanked her closer, placing a kiss on her cheek. “Thank you, lady warrior…for a…uhh…a nice evening.”
Quinn’s eyes went wide as Raine couldn’t control himself, doubling over. “We have her, lady warrior,” he teased.
Casimir rose and wrapped his arm around Ava’s waist as Quinn let go and walked off, grumbling under her breath.
“I think she likes me,” said Ava.
Raine stood and shook his head.
Ava looked in between them. “How was…man night? Uhm…sword orgy?”
Casimir laughed beside her as Raine answered, “Youarepathetic. It was a lovely evening, thanks for asking.”
“How much did you have to drink?” Casimir asked.
“Umm…whiskey. Lots and lots of whiskey.”
“Okay then,” said Raine as he walked inside. “I’m going to leave you to it. Good luck, Cas.”
“Goodbye wolf-man!” shouted Ava, leaning into Casimir, as Raine’s laughter echoed through the castle doors.
Casimir began to walk her inside when she said, “I can walk.”
He let go and crossed his arms, looking down at her. She swayed but remained standing as he cocked his head to the side and nodded toward the door. “Go on then.”
She turned and tried stomping toward the castle, but her feet tangled with each other, and she tripped. Before she hit the ground, she was lifted and thrown over a broad shoulder.
“Hello!” she shouted. “What are you doing?”
“Shh,” Casimir said as he carried her inside. “It’s the middle of the night. You’ll wake the whole castle.”
“The princess is being taken away…the general captured her,” she mumbled to herself. “Taking her to his room…to do naughty things.” She giggled.
She thought she heard Casimir laugh but her brain was fuzzy and limbs heavy. They made it to their suite, and he set her on the couch. “Stay,” he ordered, disappearing into his room. He returned moments later with a small tonic. “This will prevent you from getting sick.”
She took it and choked it down. “That tastes like ass.”
“I don’t even know what to say to that,” he said, standing in front of her.
She looked at his feet and raked her eyes along his body, pausing on his muscular thighs and what she imagined was between them. She continued higher, inspecting his toned forearms peering from the sleeves of his shirt. His golden eyes were predatory when she met his stare.
“What are you doing?”
