Page 59 of Queen of Whispers and Mist

“I can’t believe you called him out after only the first round. He warned you he’d make you drink.”

Ronan begrudgingly took a sip of his rum. “This game is stupid.”

“You’re a sore loser.”

“Anyone else win their first fight at the tender age of five? Nobody?” Sebastian looked entirely too pleased with himself.

“I’ll go next,” Bronn called out. “I stowed away on my first ship at the age of eleven.”

Caly glared at him. “You’re only saying that because you know I’ll have to drink.”

Bronn was all smiles as he drained his rum and refilled his glass. “So? I didn’t hear anything in the rules against that.”

“Quite so, quite so,” Bast agreed.

“You’re right, Ronan. This game is rigged.” Sighing, Calypso took a swig of her rum. “All right, me next,” she said, her eye twinkling as it landed on Bronn. “I didn’t lose my virginity until I was twenty-three.”

He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. “That only works, sweetheart, if someone doesn’t happen to know for a fact it’s a lie and call you on it.”

Shadow smothered a grin. Caly had tried to out Bronn with one of his own secrets, only to fall victim to the rules of the game.

Realizing her mistake, Calypso groaned. “I thought you’d still have to drink.”

“Nope. Not if I correctly called your bluff. Right, Sebastian?”

Bast nodded, grinning from ear to ear at the pirate’s antics.

The game continued on in this manner for a few more rounds. Ronan always calling Bast out and having to drink. Bronn and Caly each trying to embarrass the other. Ronan’s feats were less revealing, but every bit as impressive. Shadow was the only one who’d managed to avoid sharing any details about herself. Which worked out in her favor until Bast caught on.

“No, no, no, it’s Shadow’s turn. Dazzle us, my lady! Surely the things you’ve accomplished will set the rest of us to shame.”

She grimaced, racking her brain for something that wasn’t equal parts horrific and depressing. Somehow, mentioning the time she’d severed a man’s spine while slitting his throat or that she’d once killed eight armed guards in less than five minutes didn’t seem like it would match the jovial mood Sebastian had worked so hard for.

“Um...”

The only thing that came to mind was so embarrassing she wasn’t sure she wanted to share it. Then again, maybe no one would believe her, and she could get everyone else to drink.

“We’re waiting,” Ronan prompted, his smirk knowing as he turned to face her.

“I mastered Salome,” she blurted, her pulse pounding in her ears.

She waited for his reaction, but there wasn’t one. Or at least not the one she expected. Ronan’s brow wrinkled in confusion. “Salome? Is that some kind of martial art?”

Sebastian snorted. “You could say that.”

“It’s a dance,” Calypso offered, her gaze lingering on Shadow. “A very sensual dance.” Without looking at anyone else, she lifted her glass and drained it—indicating it was a feat she’d also accomplished. “One of my personal favorites.”

“Really?” Bronn asked, his interest undeniable as his gaze swept over his captain. “Caly, you’ve been keeping secrets.”

“If you think that’s the only one, you haven’t been paying attention.”

“Perhaps you could dance for me sometime?”

Her lips curled playfully. “You wouldn’t make it past the second veil, Bronn.”

“Challenge accepted.”

“Veils?” Ronan asked. “What am I missing?”

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