“Now there’s a face that could break the strongest of men.” He grinned. Vhalla noticed one side of his mouth went up more than the other. It didn’t have the same curl as Aldrik’s but there was something similar and charming in it.
They stumbled through the streets teasing each other and grabbing at walls and railings for support. In all it was rather a miracle that they didn’t end up horribly lost. On the way they passed a public fountain, and Daniel insisted she drink liberally.
“I can’t drink anymore.” She lay out on the dusty ground, her face wet.
“Get up off the ground,” he laughed.
“No, it’s nice here.” She grinned, which was interrupted with a yawn. The fuzziness in her head was beginning to change to exhaustion.
He extended a hand to her. “It’s not far now, Vhalla. Bed is better than the ground. Plus, I think there are a few people, whom I’m rather fearful of answering to, that would be cross if I let you sleep on the road.”
She found her feet again, and they stumbled into the inn not long after. The main lobby was quiet, and he helped her upstairs. Vhalla dissolved into a fit of giggles, collapsing against the wall.
“You’re so loud,” he scolded between uncontrollable laughter.
“No, you are!” She covered her mouth with a hand, her sides aching from bruises and amusement.
Daniel smiled down at her charmingly. His hair hung around his face. He was plain looking, normal for an Easterner. But for Vhalla he was handsome with nostalgia, and his voice, worn from too many years of calling across battlefields and training grounds, was beginning to sound smooth. “Come on, to bed with you.”
“Thank you, Daniel,” Vhalla whispered, pausing in front of her door.
“For what?” he asked.
Even drunk, she wasn’t naive. This would be the moment most other men would ask to come into her room. Vhalla leaned against the door with a sincere smile. The glitter of intoxication would fade with the dawn. But the sweet wash of his presence already promised to linger. “I haven’t had that much fun in a long time.”
“Me neither.” Daniel took a few more steps backwards. “If you need anything, I’m upstairs, first to the right on the landing.”
“Thank you.” She yawned.
“All right, to sleep, you beautiful Windwalker.” He gave her a lazy smirk and Vhalla reciprocated before slipping into the dark room.
She didn’t even find it in her to change. Vhalla headed straight for the bed, collapsing on top of another comatose body. She nearly jumped out of her skin.
“Welcome back, Vhalla,” Larel mumbled groggily.
“What are you doing here?” Vhalla relaxed, wiggling under the blankets.
“I wanted to make sure you made it back,” the Westerner yawned. “How was the rest of your night?”
“Fun.” Vhalla snuggled up to the familiar warmth of Larel.
“Fritz?” Larel closed her eyes.
“Don’t know,” Vhalla said honestly, and wondered if she should feel guilty.
“He’s likely still trying to pick up boys,” Larel laughed tiredly. Her words slurred slightly—Vhalla hadn’t been the only one drinking. “Daniel?”
“Yes, he walked me back.” Vhalla rubbed her face on the pillow.
“He didn’t do anything untoward, did he?” Larel cracked her eyes open to study Vhalla.
Vhalla laughed. “No, he’s wonderful actually,” she admitted treacherously. “I should be with someone like him ...” When Vhalla thought about it, he’d be a sensible choice for her. Only just above her station, Eastern like she was, thoughtful, kind, handsome. She felt strange just musing over the growing list of reasons why Daniel was a good match.
“Aldrik?” With the name alone Vhalla’s rationalization over Daniel and her halted.
“I love him,” she sighed. She loved him so much her heart ached at the thought. One night and too much alcohol couldn’t change what had been growing and building for months, even if it may be for the better. Vhalla picked at the blanket. “What did you feel for Aldrik?”
“What did I feel?” Larel shifted onto her back. “I felt like he was one of the only people who I really had in the world, who really cared for me. I suppose that’s why I called it love.”
“How do you mistake love?” Vhalla asked. Maybe she was mistaken also?
“There are many kinds of love,” Larel said.
“Are there?”
“Do you love Aldrik as you love your father?” A grin was in Larel’s voice.
“Family is different!” Vhalla pushed the other woman’s shoulder.
“I love you,” Larel said softly, stilling Vhalla. The Western woman leaned close, placing a gentle kiss on Vhalla’s forehead. “I don’t love you as a lover. But I love you wholly and completely nonetheless.” Vhalla suddenly felt like crying. “And I love Aldrik—but as my friend; I didn’t and don’t want him between the sheets. When I kissed him, it was strange, awkward; there was nothing to it other than a kiss.”
“I see,” Vhalla barely said over another yawn. She wondered if she kissed Aldrik what she’d feel.