Page 178 of The Call of Crimson
Around and round, we spin, weaving our way through the other couples until we fall back to the end. The instruments fade as the dance comes to an end, but I’m left wanting more.
When I reach the table our group has chosen, Rowina hands me a glass filled with something that looks like cider. I take a large gulp, savoring the rich spices and fruity tang of the drink.
“This is delicious,” I say between drinks. I glance around and notice that everyone else seems to be sipping theirs while mine is nearly gone. “Do you not think so?”
Ayden chuckles before responding, “Oh, I find it quite enjoyable. Just… give it a few minutes.”
Rowina pries the empty glass from my hand, setting it on our table. Clearing her throat, she explains, “That particular cider is meant for sipping. It might not taste like it, but you just drank the equivalent of six shots of rum, Breyla.”
My eyes widen. “Why didn’t you say anything?” I ask in horror.
“You didn’t really give me the chance, babe. You’ll be okay, though. You’ll just get to the drunk stage much faster than the rest of us.” She smiles sheepishly at me.
“Why would I need to ask if it was okay to drink cider normally? Most cider doesn’t contain enough liquor to get a small child drunk.”
“It’s solstice,” Ayden says by way of explanation, giving me a shrug and trying to hide his amusement.
“Well, shit.” I sigh, wondering how long it will take to feel the effects of the alcohol.
Depositing his still mostly full drink on the table, Ayden grips my elbow and gently leads me away. “Come on, love. Let’s play a game. I have a feeling you’ll excel at this one.”
“Does it involve more drinking?” I mumble.
“Yes, but I’ll take all your drinks, wild one. You just focus on winning.”
“Fine,” I relent.
We make it to the other side of the town square, where several long tables are set up. There are groups of cups set up on each end of the table in the shape of a triangle.
“We’re up next,” Ayden says to the two males standing at one end of the table.
“Come to lose, Prince?” one of the males goads.
“Not today, Jerome.”
“I don’t see how you stand much of a chance without your usual partner,” the other adds with a shrug.
Ayden just grins. “You’ve never seen the princess here play drinking games, either. She has impeccable hand-eye coordination.”
For a brief moment, I’m flattered by his praise until I realize he’s never seen me play drinking games, either.
I remain quiet, deciding not to undermine Ayden’s confidence in front of these males.
“The premise of this game is pretty simple. You want to throw this ball,” he says, holding up a small white ball, “into those cups. We each get one shot per round, and once the cup is made, it’s removed from play. The first team to eliminate all its cups wins. For each cup the opposing team makes, we drink. Like I said, I’ll drink for you, which means I’m drinking double, so do your best not to miss.”
“Seems easy… What’s the catch?”
“No catch. There are a few nuances, but I’ll explain those as they come up.”
I nod my head, trying to decipher the look in his eyes and whether I believe him.
“Are you two ready or not?” Jerome calls from the other end of the table.
“Ready to kick your sorry asses,” Ayden fires back.
The game starts quickly with both Jerome and the other male, who I find out is named Shay, making their cups in the first round. I quickly learn that that means they get to take a second shot. Thankfully, they miss those.
Ayden takes four drinks, two for each shot they made.
