Page 52 of Whispers of the Elderoak

“See?” Raine pointed at him with his spoon.

Quinn laughed, setting down her tea. “There’s a reason your nickname is The Bear, Cas. And it’s not because of Aro.”

“It is because of the bear,” he retorted, ripping into a pastry.

“Sure,” Raine said.

“Any word from Thorne?” Casimir asked, changing the subject and looking at Jorrar from the corner of his eye.

He shook his head. “Not yet, but I suspect we shall hear something soon. Percy should return any day now.”

“We need to come up with a plan,” Raine said, taking a drink of his tea.

“We follow the king’s orders,” Casimir responded. “We rest here a few days longer while we wait.”

“We should talk about last night,” said Quinn.

“Like how Cas almost wet his pants at the sight of those creatures?” said Raine.

Casimir tilted his head with predatory grace. “Just like you almost did the first time we visited Nelida?”

Jorrar and Quinn burst out laughing as Raine lookedincredulously at Casimir. “That wood nymph is utterly terrifying! I don’t care if she can see the future or whatever, she gives me the creeps. Besides, I was young then.” He brushed his hair behind his shoulder.

“Sure,” said Cas, taking a bite of eggs, a smirk on his face.

Quinn piped up after a moment. “Whatwerethose things? I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

“I have no idea,” replied Casimir. “I assume they’re some sort of creatures of Deidamia’s. Whether they were created or came over from her homelands, I don’t know.”

“They were really fucking hard to kill,” said Raine.

Jorrar nodded. “Indeed, they were. And I fear it won’t be the last time we see them.”

“You’re probably right,” said Casimir. “We need to send for some extra guards to patrol the towns. Where there are three, there are likely more.”

They finished breakfast and decided to take a walk through town, speaking with the guards and explaining the best strategies to use should more of those insects appear. It seemed luring them to the ground in some way and trapping them was the most efficient, though once they figured out what they were trying to do, they didn’t fall for it as quickly. Not only fast, they were smart, and this concerned Casimir a great deal.

They walked through the shops and Casimir sat down on a bench next to Raine while Jorrar and Quinn went inside to talk to the fletcher about the possibility of stronger or faster arrows. Should they encounter those beings again, they’d need them. None of the others could rise into the air like him and he didn’t want to have to use that magic any more than necessary.

“You saw her again last night, didn’t you?” asked Raine carefully, his usual humor gone.

Casimir nodded, staying silent.

Raine placed his hand on Casimir’s knee. “Her death wasn’t your fault, you know. You were just a child.”

Casimir turned to his best friend. “I know that. But it will never stop haunting me.”

“We all have things that haunt us. Quinn deals with it by pretending she hates everyone. Jorrar deals with it by being overly nice and helping others. I deal with it by being an insufferable rogue. And you deal with it by being a brooding, grumpy asshole, and beating yourself up over every perceived misstep. By taking responsibility for everything when it’s not your job.”

Casimir looked at him. “I’m the general. It is my job.”

Raine rolled his eyes. “We just need to get you laid. That will bring a smile to your face. When was the last time you had some beautiful thing in your bed?”

“That isn’t the answer to everything, Raine. That stuff doesn’t matter anymore.”

“What stuff?”

“Sex. Companionship…” He paused. “It’s just a distraction.”

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