This morning at The Dancing Daisy’s reopening, it must’ve taken a lot of courage from Eleanor to give a speech in front of a crowd that size, so seeing her on stage here with even more people makes me excited for her, and very curious.
Eleanor taps the microphone once to check that it’s on. “Hi, everyone. I, uhm… This song is dedicated to the love of my life, Shinsu Beck. I’ve known him since I was seven, and even though we didn’t see each other for more than two decades, I can promise you that I never forgot him. Nor this song.”
Marisol cues a familiar tune that I recognize as the same one Shinsu always performs and gives Eleanor two thumbs-up. All eyes turn to him as he watches Eleanor with rapt attention, his jaw agape and eyes wide.
Eleanor starts what seems to be a choreographed dance then begins singing, shyly at first, but her confidence grows as the crowd cheers her on. Even though she’s nervous, she’s smiling and having the time of her life.
Less than a minute into the song, Shinsu rushes to the stage and picks up the second microphone. The goofy grins that beam out of them as they fall into rhythm with each other, harmonizing and dancing in perfect tune with each other, makes me oddly emotional.
I knew they had a strong connection, but witnessing it in action like this almost makes me wish for my own someone to share my life with. Almost. But not quite.
Ew. Where did that thought come from?
The song finishes and everyone cheers, wild applause resounding from the entire pub as we realize Shinsu had always performed that song as an ode to their friendship and now Eleanor has finally made it come full circle.
Talk about yearning over the decades.
I shudder just to think what that level of love would feel like. I’m sure it comes with a lot of baggage to sort through before you get to have this level of happiness again.
“You going back to Cape Easton tonight?” Beryl asks once the noise has died down.
“Uhm, I don’t think that’s happening.” I point at Shinsu’s ravenous gaze as he steers Eleanor away from the stage and straight to the front door. “Something’s telling me I should avoid the dock tonight. Or being anywhere in those two’s vicinity for the next couple of hours. Good for them though.”
Calixta cracks her neck and shakes her long red limbs as if to rid herself of something. “Let me tell you, being a succubus in this town was almost boring before I got married. But lately… let’s just say I’m glad I’m well-fed at home, otherwise the sexual energy pumping through this room would have me in a state.” Calixta points a long black nail at Marisol, Bash, Killian, and Silas and their very obvious eye fucking and not-so-subtle touching behind the counter. She angles her hand in another direction and points at Tilly sitting on Bodin’s lap and his hand splayed across her ass. Then, she shifts over to Viggo and Juniper, Maisie and Ren, plus Aurelius and Peregrine—the final two thinking no one can make out where their hands are in the dark corner in the back of the pub.
“I’m fucked,” I say with a pout, realizing my attempt at finding some fun is completely futile.
“I think you’re the opposite of fucked,” Beryl counters and snorts into her beer.
Clinking my glass to hers, I say, “Can’t argue with that fact. At least I always carry a tiny toy for times of extreme need.” I lift the long silver chain around my neck and show them the elegant silver vibrator clipped to it.
Beryl’s gaze darkens as she looks at Calixta. “Now that’s interesting.”
Tail now hidden under Beryl’s skirt and with sexual energy so strong even I can feel it, Calixta rasps, “Do you have somewhere you can stay tonight?” The succubus doesn’t fully glance my way, her eyes trained hungrily on her wife instead.
With my ability to read the room, I’m already scooting out the booth. “Yeah, I’ll crash at Bodin’s old apartment above The Bandaged Heart. Won’t be the first time I’ve used the empty space. I’ll catch a lift with Viggo into the city in the morning once he and Juniper resurface from their nightly love nest.”
They wave goodbye before they’re heading out the door, a sense of urgency driving their feet as I flit between tables and strike up new conversations with my friends.
Very soon, the other couples’ energies change too, hands disappearing under tables as they exchange loaded looks.
Eventually, I say my goodbyes, and my trusty necklace and I head down the darkened hill toward First Street and the little apartment above Tilly’s clinic.
Before Tilly and Bodin’s sunrise wedding, I stayed here for a night to ensure I could help her get ready in plenty of time. I’vealso crashed here a time or two after ladies’ night when I didn’t want to bother someone to ferry me home so late.
Before I can get the door fully open, a particularly hairy man sticks his head around it, and I just manage to muffle my scream.
“What do you want?” he hisses at me.
I look behind me then back at him. “What do I want? Who are you?”
“The new tenant,” he says with a tilt to his chin.
“What? Since when?”
The guy huffs. “That’s none of your business.”
“True.” I blow out a long breath. “Sorry for disturbing you. No one told me there was someone living here. I usually crash here when I’m in town.”
