When she spotted Anelize and Aeric, her smile warmed further when she passed Anelize one of the cups.
“I was hoping you two would be done by now. It’s time for supper.”
“And a show, apparently.” Adan said dryly from where he stood by the bar, watching Henry and Idris with an unimpressed look. Beside him, sitting on one of the stools with an opened book, was a beaming Castian as he watched the lively scene unfolding around him.
Aeric shook his head as he swiped the goblet from the prince’s hand, earning himself a frown from the young man. He took a long sniff before grinning wickedly at him, “Castian, I don’t remember you partaking in drink before. Don’t tell me you’ve been corrupted by Adan here?”
“If anyone is going to do any corrupting, it’s you.” Adan snorted. “If the boy wants to have a go at drinking himself under the table, let him. It adds character.”
“I was merely trying it.” Castian said, trying to take the goblet back only to be jostled when Aeric threw an arm around his shoulders. The prince looked to Anelize, “Unless you think I shouldn’t because of my tonics, Miss Yarrow.”
They all waited for her answer with varying looks of amusement.
Anelize looked down to the warm cup in her hand before shrugging, “I see no reason why not so long as it is done in moderation.”
Smiling, Castian urged Adan to pour him another drink, to which the Bane twin rolled his eyes but indulged his request by stepping around the bar.
“Playing favorites, Temperance?” Aeric teased as he pushed away from Castian.
Anelize quipped as she watched him walk past her, “Does that bother you, captain?”
“There is very little that bothers me. Didn’t you know that already?” He turned toward the table where the rest of the rebels and children had gathered to eat.
She watched him go as she joined the prince in surveying the room.
Castian murmured with a serene look upon his face, “It is rare to see moments such as these. I’m glad I’m here to bear witness to them. There was a time where I wasn’t sure I’d live long enough to see the sun rise.”
Anelize glanced at him, feeling compelled to place a hand over his shoulder. Unsure of what to say to him in this moment, or how to interpret the way his viridian eyes shined with emotion.
Eventually she said, “It is good that you are here.”
Castian glanced up at her, smiling.
“I wish to put an end to all of this suffering. I am grateful I am amongst friends who wish for the same thing. It gives me hope for the future we may all build together. Thank you, Anya.”
She frowned. “I’ve hardly done anything worthy of thanks.”
“Then how about, for being a friend.” Castian placed his hand over hers, warming her heart. It was no wonder why he was so liked by those around him. Prince Castian Amaranth was possibly one of the kindest, most sincere people she had ever met. Though he came as a close second to Enid.
Perhaps Aeric was right in what he’d said before. Perhaps they could share in each other’s pain in a way, and in return be understood for it. Accepted, even.
“Here.” Adan said as he set down a small glass with a cherry red liquid inside it.
Castian eyed the glass skeptically at the same time Anelize said flatly, “That is not wine.”
“Really? I hardly noticed a difference.”
“What is it?” The prince asked before they could start verbally sparring.
“Something that will cure you of any ailment, better than any measly tonic.” Adan grinned.
The prince looked to her unimpressed expression but shrugged as he plucked the glass and brought it up to his lips. “What’s the worst thing that can happen?”
The moment he took a single sip, hacking coughs soon followed, and then Castian’s face turned a beet red color as his eyes widened. Adan muttered a curse as he quickly rounded the bar and began patting the prince’s back. The sight was equal parts amusing and ridiculous. So much so, that the sightmade a soft laugh escape her. Feeling the weight of someone’s attention on her, she glanced across the room where the rest of the rebels were gathered at a table. To Aeric, where he stood leaning against one of the pillars, a goblet in hand.
There was something in his gaze that she couldn’t make sense of as he watched her. Her vision not as good as it had once been.
Aeric raised his cup, and she found herself doing the same before they both took a drink. The spiced wine a pleasant burn down her throat as she watched him. Feeling herself grow warm all over and refusing to give the reason a name. Not wanting to allow herself to accept that what she saw in his eyes in that moment was something that could easily be mistaken forwant.
