Page 73 of Journey to the Elderoak
“Already drunk, big brother?”
“Perhaps.” He chuckled, taking a sip of ale.
It was refreshing to see Thorne outside his role as king. And she hadn’t seen him much in the past weeks, he’d been so busy.
Casimir sat across from her, nodding hello as he took in her dress. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks,” she replied as warmth crept up her neck.
He was dressed in an olive-green tunic and his hair had several braids along the sides, flowing over his shoulders. Raine took his seat next to Casimir and passed her a mug.
“Mead for the dainty human since you didn’t like the ale the first time.”
“And we all know what happens if Ava gets a hold of whiskey,” Quinn said.
Ava grimaced as she sipped her drink, meeting eyes with Casimir. The corner of his mouth lifted and she looked away.
“I heard about that,” said Thorne. “You kissed Quinn and called her ‘lady warrior.’”
Ava winced. “I didn’t realize how strong your alcohol here was.”
Quinn glared at each member of the table. “If any of you brutes call me that, I will punch you in the throat so hard, you won’t be able to speak for a week.” She glanced at Ava and winked.
“That’s not all she did,” said Raine. “I’m too far away for you to kick this time.” He gave her a naughty grin. “Ouch!” he exclaimed as Casimir kicked him instead.
The others got the hint not to pry and visited among themselves, but Quinn leaned in and asked, “What else did you do?”
“Apparently, I propositioned Cas,” she whispered as quietly as she could.
“And?”
“Nothing happened. He was the perfect gentleman.”
“Not surprising,” Quinn said as her head snapped up, her attention landing on Casimir and Raine. “Stop eavesdropping, you oafs.”
Raine laughed and Casimir continued to look at Ava, sipping his ale.
Quinn whispered, “Cas keeps staring like he wants to rip those clothes right off you.”
Ava choked on her drink, spilling it on her chest.
She grabbed a napkin and dabbed at the mead, glancing across the table. Casimir’s eyes flared as they briefly dipped to her low-cut neckline before he blushed and turned away.
“He is not,” she whispered back to Quinn.
“Whatever.”
Raine rose and held his hand out. “Ava, dance with me.”
She hesitated, looking around. “I don’t know how.”
“Who cares? I’ll show you.”
She chugged her mead and stood, taking his hand. “Alright.”
They left the group along with Jorrar and Kai, taking off across the dance floor together.
“Follow my lead,” Raine said as he placed one hand on her hip and gripped her other. “You just have to follow the rhythm of the music and move across the floor.” She tripped over his feet as she tried. “You’re over complicating it. Just go with the flow. I’ll lead and you do what I do,” he said as they took off in a trot.
