I interrupted him, unable to stop myself. “My mother died.” I had no idea why I was speaking. I batted my eyes and tried to shake it off, concentrating on him again.
He seemed to notice I was back and continued his story. I leaned my head on his chest, snuggling into his warmth. My face felt numb. I heard the door and the vibration in Steed’s chest quieted as he stopped talking. I turned my head toward the door, keeping it steady against Steed. Chevelle was furious. I noticed his glance flick to my cloak piled on the floor and then return to us. Us. I was curled in Steed’s lap. Chevelle was storming toward us and I felt the arm Steed had around my back loosen but his body didn’t seem to tense. His body. I giggled a little for no apparent reason and then tried to straighten myself so I wasn’t cuddling with him. Chevelle held his arm out and I wondered foggily if he intended to strike one of us, which made me laugh again. He shook his head and wore a plainly disapproving expression. A flagon landed in his open palm and he knelt slightly in front of us. “Drink.” Yes, I was thirsty. So thirsty. I took a long pull and then another. I couldn’t seem to quench the thirst. He took the container from my hand. “Enough.”
My stomach roiled and I realized what I had drank. “Ugh, cat pee.” I thought I might hurl. How much of that healing crap had I drunk? I heaved once and Steed shook beneath me with laughter. I glanced at him then and he was looking at Chevelle. For some reason it angered me, even though I knew Steed wasn’t laughing at him. I was talking again. “His mother died, too. We killed her.” It sounded so matter of fact, my head bobbed with the words, as if in agreement. I couldn’t seem to stop myself, my mouth opened to speak again but I was suddenly swept up, off Steed’s lap and into Chevelle’s arms. I managed fear for half a second but then lost the feeling to dizziness followed by dull numbness.
He was laying me on my bed. “Stay here. It will pass.” His words were gentle now, the anger gone.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. He didn’t respond. He leaned over me to straighten the bedding and his face was close to mine. I stared at his mouth and wondered what it would taste like. I felt a sharp pain and then realized I was biting my lip. The thought made me giggle again, but his eyes shot to my face and all amusement ceased.
He stroked my cheek lightly. “Sleep.”
My dreams were vivid. Crimson curls brushing my cheek and bouncing as a tiny fairy danced across the floor, flitting her painted fingers. Dark stone houses in the night, the glare of fire glinting off the rock. Massive stones rising high above. Dark leather, tight against my skin. Menacing cloaks flowing in the wind, forming a circle and then massing together, threatening. Black hair glistening with sweat in the moonlight and rolling in rhythm as the horse ran, its mane rocking hypnotically with the motion. Its heavy equine smell, so unlike any other. I was clinging to Chevelle’s strong back as we rode at full speed. The wind and rain cut at my face, my eyes sore, cheeks streaked with tears and ash.
I woke to the sound of laughter. It took several minutes to gather my thoughts enough to know where I was. I was in bed... at Ruby’s. Ruby, the half breed. I was drenched in sweat. My head throbbed. Something had happened to me. Fairy dust, Steed had said. Steed. Yes, he had shown up last night. I heard talking through the open door. He was in the main room. Chevelle’s voice was there, too. My mouth tasted sour. I tried to sit up but my head spun. Before I’d moved an inch I was back down. My pulse pounded in my head as I struggled to recall what had happened the night before. I hissed out a low oath when I remembered Ruby leaning toward me, blowing her breath in my face.
I opened my eyes again and Chevelle was there, handing me a glass. Gads. What had I said to him? I knew it was bad but had trouble piecing it all together. I glanced up at him timidly. “Thank you,” I croaked out as I took the glass, my hand trembling.
“Shouldn’t have left you alone,” he said quietly. I heard a light laugh from the front room. Ugh. She was here, too. The water helped. I was able to sit up with Chevelle’s assistance.
“Here, here, a bath will help.” Ruby swirled into the room, dressed in a red frock of sorts. The color hurt my eyes. “Come with me, dear.” Her hair was tied half way back with a light scarf, the tattered end mingling with crimson curls. I felt dizzy again. She hauled me off the bed, supporting me as I stood, and I realized she was much smaller than I had thought, slipping easily under my arm. I kept my head down as we walked, mostly trying not to get ill, and saw she wore heeled boots. She led me through the main room and, though I knew Steed was there, I couldn’t look up to greet him. We were entering the other door.