Page 108 of Between Soul and Vessel
Artemesia gave him a pat on the back.
“Now, since we’ve hashed my problem out. What happened with you and Folkoln?” he asked.
A small smile touched my lips. I was happy to see the two getting along so well and offering one another support. It was sweet. Heartwarming.
“You aren’t going to believe this one. He said we are bonded.Bonded!” Artemesia rolled her eyes. “No offense, Von, but your brother is absolutely ruthless. I’m well aware he wants to get into my pants, but to use something as sacred as the bond as a ploy is atrocious.”
“Artemesia . . .” I took a breath, knowing I was going to need it.
“Yes?” she asked, eyes meeting mine.
Now, it was my turn to offer her an apologetic look as I delivered the news she clearly was not ready to hear. “I actually think he might be telling the truth.”
“Fuck off,” she said, staring at me in disbelief.
When I didn’t budge, her gaze shot toward Von.
“I believe you two might be mates as well,” Von said.
Artemesia’s mouth fell open. She snapped it shut, then opened it again, like a fish out of water trying to survive the uprooting of its entire world.
Finally, she said, “I need a drink. Areallystiff one.”
“Me too,” Kaleb agreed as the two of them looked to the small liquor cabinet across the room.
Sage
“Boop,” Kaleb said as he pressed the meaty pad of his finger against my nose, smooshing it in. I finished tying the scarf over the bottom half of his face and then gently took his hand and lowered it to his side. Reaching up with his free hand, he squished my nose again. “Boooop!” he repeated, his voice higher pitched this time. His breath, which smelled like the bottom of a barrel, washed over my face. Scowling, I batted his hand away.
Artemesia snickered. “Do it again.”
Sighing, I took a step back, out of Kaleb’s reach. I eyed my highly inebriated siblings. The two looked like willow branches swaying in the wind. One soft push and they’d surely fall over.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get him back to his room,” Artemesia said, slinging her arm over Kaleb’s shoulders.
“Mhm,” I replied with a degree of skepticism, shootingVon, who was tidying up after my siblings, an unimpressed glance. He looked as if he were tempted to laugh.
“She will,” Kaleb said with a hiccup. He tipped his head and looked at her, his eyes no more than slits. He smiled drunkenly. “It’s so nice having another sister.” He lowered his voice. “One who isn’t so bossy.” He rolled his shoulder inward, trying to hide his thumb as he pointed it at me and whispered loudly, “Somesisters—not saying any names—arereallybossy.”
“Alright,” I interjected, maneuvering around them so I could open the door. “Let’s get you two back to your rooms, shall we?” I glanced over my shoulder, meeting Von’s gaze. “I’ll be back shortly.”
A wicked grin. “I’ll hold you to that.”
“I’d expect nothing less,” I retorted playfully then gently steered them out. We walked to the room across the hall, and I knocked.
Not waiting to be called in, Kaleb opened the door and slurred, “Harps, I’m baaaack.”
Lyra, Harper, and Ryker were all inside. The three of them were sitting on the bed, chatting. Ryker’s muscles stiffened.
As soon as Kaleb saw Ryker, he said, “No thank you,” and turned around to go back out the door.
I caught him by his shirt. “Kaleb, come on. You can’t drunkenly wander around this place. You’ll get us all in trouble.”
“See?” Kaleb said to Artemesia. “Absolute stick-in-the-mud.”
She nodded in agreement.
I squinted at them both. Drunkenly, they smiled back.
