Drink. Drank. Drunk.
Wren
With Hazel’s parents constantly attending business, they don’t seem to find time to check up on me. Tonight, I plan on taking advantage of that, again. My parents would think they were foolish for not keeping a more watchful eye. I think they’re a blessing.
Hazel could be at my side if she wasn’t busy “cleaning her room” which I took as code for “I have a date.”
Tonight I’m wearing a much less formal gown, something I borrowed from one of Hazel's maids. My hair is neatly braided to one side, no jewelry to threaten its perfection.
“Princess, would you like me to drop you off at the entrance?” The driver asks as our carriage slows near the front of the bar. Her face dragging down in weighted wrinkles, even as her lips reach upward in a polite smile.
“Oh, no. Please, here is fine. It’s a lovely night for a walk don’t you think?”
“Yes, Princess, a very beautiful evening.”
The carriage rolls to a stop, the driver stepping around to open my door. A bun of grey hair is piled on her head, the messy strands falling over her face as she lowers in a curtesy.
“Thank you.” Grinning, I reach for her hand to step out of the carriage. “What is your name?”
“Miss Bala Sparrow.”
“Thank you Miss Sparrow.”
I feel her watch me as I walk away. The soft crunch of the dirt road grinds under my heels as I begin my search.
Tonight I’ll find what I’m looking for. I refuse to feel like a fool. Again.
***
Three hours. Three hours I sat, waiting for the man who took my money to exit Wilder When Wet. The ridiculous name of the bar should have told me not to trust him.
Shivers race throughout my body, that’s when I ultimately decide to give up and go in for something warm to drink.
My cheeks feel bruised from the cold; I can feel where the wind has kissed my skin red. Walking into the bar, I receive less glances than I had the first night.
Not even bothering to look for the man, I head straight for an empty barstool. The young bartender smiles, her teeth a tarnished yellow.
“Please, just something to warm me up.” My fingers make a cup around my mouth as I blow hot air into my palms.
Placing a small glass of amber liquid before me, she states, “This will warm you up. Two of these and, whew, you will feel the heat.”
Staring at the glass, my eyes narrow. What is this? I roll the small glass between my fingers, examining it momentarily, before I decide to go for it.
The taste is similar to a tonic the healer has given me before. I grimace as the drink burns down my throat. Settling into my stomach a warmth spreads through my veins.
“Okay, that was terrible.” A stinging feeling pains my throat as I cough. I frown at the woman for a moment.
She barks a laugh and pours another.
“Susak, her drinks are on me,” a gruff voice calls from behind me.
I turn to see who is trying to buy my affection when it isn’t for sale, only to find the very man I’m waiting for.
How very kind of him to buy my drinks with my money.
Shining emerald eyes meet mine. They hold a spark of amusement.
“So, are you stalking me now?” he questions, his forearms resting on the wooden countertop. Mischief dances behind his gaze, partially hidden under his unkempt dark hair.
“No, I come here often. Have you really never seen me?” Raising my chin and squaring my shoulders, I return his confident look.
A chuckle bubbles over his lips.
“You did much better tonight with your whole … get up and all, but ... you’re still too clean. You don’t have a spec of dirt on you. Your teeth are mesmerizingly white, that skin ...” His rough fingertips brush the back of my hand, “It’s too perfect. Unmarred by an easy life.” His words sound seductive but insulting all at the same time. “You don’t belong here.”
The fabric of my dress ruffles as I yank my hand free from his touch. Trying to hide the sting of his words, I swallow down the second drink before me.
“Atta girl.” Susak grins. “And if the drinks are on him. Here is another.”
“Well technically, drinks are on you” He holds up my coin bag from the other night, mocking me as it swings before my face.
“Who are you?” I question with stern, narrowed eyes. I lean closer, hoping to intimidate him as I approach his personal space.
“Oh you wanna get close? I can do that.” Leaning into me, the shadow of his beard is harsh against my cheek when he whispers into my ear. “I wrote the book on scare tactics. Wanna try me?”
His breath tingles against my skin. Heat radiates through my face but I don’t move. I channel Hazel, smiling into the side of his face. My fingers run up his chest until I’m gripping his strong chin.
“Answer my question.”
“Who's askin’? You or Daddy?”
Does he know who I am? He couldn’t. Is it part of his charade? Just keep it together Wren.
“Does it matter?”
He tilts his head at me as if I’ve just asked something ridiculous.
“Does a bear shit in the woods?”
I close my eyes and refuse to let the smile touch my lips. “Do you always ask this many questions?”
He beams. “Do you always go out unaccompanied into dangerous bars?”
There’s a game forming here. A game he’s good at. But I’m not a quitter. I’ll win.
“Do you always take advantage of those who do?”
His smile, that smile, seems to seep into me as he stares at me. “Ledian. Call me Ledian.”
Finally.
Rolling my eyes, I turn back to a fresh glass poured before me. Picking up the cup, I turn and stare back at him as the glass empties down my throat. Susak was right. I’m warm now. Almost hot.
“Well, Ledian, if you would excuse me. I think I might get some fresh air.” Sweat is pooling under my dress. How many layers am I wearing? I stand. My fingers tug at my corset. A hot flash races over my skin.
The strands of hair that have fallen loose, suddenly become an obvious nuisance to me and I sloppily push them out of my face.
With confidence I step forward, only for the floor to tilt under my feet. I halt staring at my shoes. What just happened? What’s wrong with the floor? Or is it my feet? I love these shoes. My toes wiggle within my over worn boots as I ponder.
What was I doing? Oh yes, outside.
Another step. The floor must not be my friend tonight. Again as my foot went toward the ground, the wooden planks beneath it seem to dance and sway away.
Ledian’s face comes back into view as he smirks before me. A knowing look crosses his handsome features. “Are you drunk?”
Drunk. Me? No. I couldn’t be.
Giggles escape my mouth and I frown at myself, my own lack of self-control.
“I am not. I am not drunk.” The words circle my head a few more times before I turn back to the bar. “Susak, pour me another. See, I am fine.” I wave my hands before me as if that gesture would persuade him. I plop back into the barstool.
“Weren’t you going outside?” she says flatly.
Shut up, Susak.
“Why would I go outside when I could be in your lovely company?” I retort flashing my fakest smile.
“No, Susak. That’s enough. I’m not buying any more drinks for her.” Ledian speaks up next to me. Hovering. He’s hovering.
Snorting, I swivel on the barstool. “You think that stops me? You think I don’t have the money? Jokes on you, I’m rich. I could own this bar.”
Ledian glances around, at the company that now greedily looks my way.
“Well, I think you’ve bragged enough. I think it’s time you go home.” He flips a few coins at Susak who snatches them up, her lips turn down unpleasantly in my direction.
Warmth seeps into me as his hands swiftly close around my waist, pulling me back out of the seat. Have his hands always been this sexy? If his hands are this big ...
A lazy smile laces my mouth as I try to look back at him. “Where are we going?” I ask, letting him guide me while the floor tries to escape my steps. I lean against his hard chest.
“Where do you live?” His breath meets my neck.
“You think I’ll tell you that? You’ll rob us!”
“Honey, the men here will do worse to you if you don’t leave.”
The heels of my boots dig into the ground as I stop him in the doorway of the exit. “Are you a good guy?” I ask.
His lips turn down as he looks at me. For an instant he looks remorseful before his features smooth into his normal careless smile.
“No.”