Page 57 of Queen of Whispers and Mist

And she didn’t know what in the darkness to do with that.

* * *

“Come on,come on. Stop making googly eyes at the assassin and pay attention,” Bast demanded.

In a move that surprised no one, Sebastian had taken over the celebration by insisting they get to know each other better through a game of feats.

“The rules are so simple, even Ronan can’t fuck them up,” he insisted.

“You have to fall asleep sometime, Sebastian. And when you do... you will pay for that,” Ronan snarled softly.

He gulped, then laughed away his momentary panic. “You... always jesting, ha ha ha.” But the laughter was uncomfortable and clearly forced. Poor Bast. The more time she spent with him, the more and more he reminded her of an overeager puppy. She couldn’t help but feel protective.

“Be nice,” she whispered to Ronan. “Can’t you see you’re wounding his feelings?”

“That would require him to possess some.”

“Ronan. The boy clearly adores you. It wouldn’t kill you to be a little nicer to him.”

“This from the woman who founded the stab first and always school of etiquette.”

She chuckled at the rather accurate assessment.

“And for the record, it likelywouldkill me, and thatboyis a man who knows exactly what game he’s playing. Do not fall for his tricks. It’s a trap meant to lure in the unsuspecting. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up taking him under your wing, and then you’ll never be rid of him. Trust me,” he added with a baleful sigh.

“You’re fonder of him than you let on.”

“Of Bast? Mother’s tits, how much of that have you had to drink?” he asked, reaching for her cup.

“You are,” Shadow insisted, holding her rum out of reach. “I saw your face when you realized who was in that cage. There’s no faking that kind of concern. I think you’re rather attached to him.”

“Only in the way one is attached to a fungus.”

“Fine. Lie to yourself, Ronan. I see straight through you.”

“You always have,” he uttered so softly she almost thought she’d imagined it, until she glanced up and found herself caught in his intense stare.

“Okay, I’ll go first,” Bast called, once again unknowingly interrupting the charged moment. “I will name a feat I’ve accomplished. If you can claim the same, you drink. Alternatively, you can call my bluff, and if I’m lying, then I must drink.”

“If you think for one second a single word out of his mouth isn’t utter horse shit...” Ronan muttered, taking a drink from his dish. They’d salvaged drinkware from the houses, but of what little remained, most was shattered or badly cracked. In the end, Ronan and Jagger had both ended up with what appeared to be finger bowls instead of mugs. Shadow couldn’t help but give in to the wave of snickers every time they lifted the tiny dishes in their meaty hands and sipped. It was almost reminiscent of a child’s tea party. But with rum and pirates instead of imaginary friends and tea.

“Feel free to call my bluff, Ronan, but I assure you, you will only end up well in your cups.”

“It’ll take more than a few swigs of this to get me off my face,” Ronan replied.

“Don’t be too sure of that,” Bronn said with a knowing smirk. “There’s little more sacred to a pirate than his rum, so I can promise this here’s quality product. It may taste sweet, but it’s got a kick, and it will sneak up on you if you’re not careful.”

Shadow eyed the foggy liquid in her glass with new interest. Oblivion might be nice, but she wasn’t sure it was wise to pickle herself out here in the middle of the jungle.

Or maybe taking the edge off will help you get out of your own way so you can finally have some fun... with a capital R.

Her eyes drifted back to Ronan, who was smiling and shaking his head at whatever Caly had just said.

Heat that had nothing to do with the lingering humidity swept through her. Instinctively, she took a large gulp from her glass, eyes immediately watering and throat burning from the pirate’s brew.

Ronan clapped her on the back while the others laughed. “Take it easy, kitten. The idea’s to sip it.”

She leveled him with her most scathing look. “You don’t say. Here I was thinking you were supposed to choke on it.”

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