“Arienna, it’s a wasp.Hurting things is what they do.We have to get rid of it.They are pure evil.”
“That’s not true.They’re just misunderstood bees.”
“Also evil.”
“Who are just misunderstood balls of fluff.”
“That can kill you.Now help me set it freesomewhere far away from herebefore we’re caught.”
“But –”
“Waspscannotbe pets, Arienna.Now come on before someone sees!”
“Fine!”Pouting, I drop the protective barrier of my arms.“But we’re releasing him somewhere nice.”
Biting the inside of her lower lip, Fabia staresat Hyatt’s nicely wrapped carrier.She breathes out slowly.“We need to figure out a way to carry it.Maybe if we got a sheet, and I grabbed one end and you grabbed the other with the box in the middle –”
Rolling my eyes, I pick it up.“Hyatt’s not going to hurt me.”
The need to yell at me and the need to move as fast as possible warsclearly in her eyes.The bright silver rings of annoyanceareflecked with dark splashes of concern.
Gods, I need to stay off the booze.What kind of wishy-washy descriptionisthat?Though give me a couple more days without sex, and who knows?Fabiaisquite hot.Iamridiculously hot.We’d make a cute couple.And let’s face it, given how many times Fabiagetsinto trouble, she probablyknowsa few things.
“Fine.But if you get stabbed, I am so rubbing it in your face.Then I’m carving it on your tombstone.Here be the biggest idiot.”
I grin.Sarcastic Fabiaismy favourite.Sheisso much better than Annoyed Fabia.
“Right.Where to?”I ask, really hoping itwon’tbe far.I want to get back before Geraldgoeshome with someone else.
“At least to the Rivers of Wraith.”
I nearly drop Hyatt.“But that’s going to take all night!”Wewillhave to walk all the way through the meadow of flowers circling our town, climb over the roots of the Great Baggins Tree, and then stillhikeanother few hours before we reach the rivers!“I’ll have to convince Gerald to come with us if I want to get laid today.”
Fabiacrossesher arms, unmoving in her stubbornness.“Fucking tough.You brought a wasp into Brownston.We have to get it far enough away it won’t come back because if Hyatt is actually a female and lays eggs,the entire town willhave to migrate elsewhere.”
Groaning, I ask, “Can I at least tell Gerald to head to my house after the wedding?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because he’s a twat, for one, and two, we have adamnwaspthat’s no longer asleep.”
“Okay, fair.”I shift the box onto my hip.“But, now hear me out, Gerald has a dick, and that ticksallmy boxes at the moment.”
Rolling her eyes, Fabia gesturestowards the flowerline.“I never should’ve got you drunk.Just get moving.”
“Youjustdon’t like him because he keepsasking you to go to jail,” I mutter as I dutifully make my way into the stalks.As the flowers stretch high above us, I look up to watch the beambugs fluttering between them, lighting up the dark of the night.
Gods, I wish I could fly.Then I’d be able tomake it to the rivers, drop off the box, and come back here in time to get laid.Instead, I’m going to haveto walk forhoursthere andhoursback.In these blasted uncomfortable heels.In this stupid uncomfortable dress.With this annoying trip-hazard of a hem.And carrying a really heavy box.
When my heelsinksinto the dirt for the second time, I put Hyatt on the ground,takeoff my shoes, and chuckthem back towards the party.Nextgoesthe dress.Then the box.
Turning to Fabia, standing inonlymy pale-blue slip, I nod.“Alright, I’m ready to go.”
But her eyesaren’ton me.
Theyarelatched over my shoulder.
