Page 21 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens
“I see, no one explained anything to you, did they?” Simon chuckled. “Your body heals too fast, wine is not strong enough to have much of an effect. It would be the same as drinking grape juice as a human.” He shrugged. “Moonshine, on the other hand...”
“Moonshine it is then. Where do I get it?” I asked him with an enthusiasm that made him laugh even more. He didn’t seem to mock me though, his laugh was kind, as though he, for some odd reason, found me funny.
“Definitely not here. Eager to get drunk?” Simon grabbed the pitcher from my hand, pouring himself a drink.
“Very.”
“Then you should visit my tavern. I have plenty of moonshine there.” He winked, taking a sip of his drink.
Despite my best attempts at dismissing this strange man, he managed to keep our conversation alive, throwing at me all kinds of questions about my life.
My short answers didn’t seem to bother him as he kept talking and I couldn’t help but wonder if he knew who I was. Simon talked to me as his equal. Something I’d never been allowed to do.
“Shall we dance?” He asked me eventually.
“I don’t dance,” I shook my head lightly. The last thing I wanted was to attract attention to myself.
“Liar.” He laughed and for a second I didn't know what to say. No one ever called me a liar. They wouldn’t have dared. “There is no way a princess cannot dance.” Simon continued before I could find an answer.
So he did know, I see. My mood darkened at the reminder of my reality. Would he have even spoken to me had I not been Royal?
“Yes, I know who you are,” Simon said, reading my face. “I'm afraid everyone here knows. The crown made a big deal about a princess who went missing.”
The crown? My brow furrowed. They had been looking for me.Of course they have, silly. My mind traveled. Were they well? Were my siblings well?
“Are they still looking for me?” My gaze met Simon’s, dreading his answer.
He quieted for a moment, choosing his words carefully. “They had a funeral a few nights ago,” Simon said softly.
My eyes widened. A funeral? Everything in my body stilled. They thought I was dead, well, I suppose a part of me was dead, but the thought still made me nauseous.
“On second thought, here. You need it more than me.” Simon interrupted my hurricane of thoughts, taking out the canteen from the inside pocket of his cloak. He opened it, offering it to me.
“What is it?” I asked, taking the bottle from his cold hands. I didn’t wait for his answer, drinking the contents.
Whatever this was, it made my eyes water. The drink tasted absolutely disgusting, but I made sure to finish half, wishing it was poison that would end me right here.
“All right, all right. That’s enough,” Simon chuckled, taking the bottle from me.
A cough broke through me, as my eyes and nose watered. What in the Kingdom had I drunk? The tears fell from my eyes as if I poured salt water into them.
“Here,” Simon handed me a napkin from the table and I gratefully took it from him: still coughing my throat out.
“It does get better, you know.” He looked me straight in the eyes, as if making sure I listened carefully. “I know you don’t believe it yet, but I've been there. It does get better, Cordelia.” He sighed. “At least your family had a funeral.” He slightly shoved my shoulder, laughing. Though his laughter fell short when his eyes met my glare.
For a while we were completely silent. My mind quieted when I returned to the people dancing, though I couldn't help but only to criticize the dancers. No one seemed to care for the proper technique here, or even count—for that matter—though at least they appeared to enjoy themselves.
The pair in front of our table doubled, so did everyone else. My head spun. I felt dizzy and suddenly... unnaturally calm.
“What was in the drink?” I said, mumbling over my words.
“Moonshine, sweetheart,” Simon smiled. “Have you drunk before?” His brows flew up.
“No,” I replied looking at the now two headed Simon. I blinked, trying to figure out which head was truly his.
He studied me carefully and for some reason his facial expression made me giggle.
“Are you—” Simon crooked his head. “All right?”
