Page 52 of The Awakening of Essensia

Willem snorted. “Whatever you say, old man.”

She waited, but no one offered an explanation. She nodded slowly, not wanting to push the subject, and returned to her bowl. The iced cream was thick and smooth, the syrup warm and sharp on her tongue, trickling heat down her throat.

“What is that?” she asked, gesturing towards the jug. “Other than the honey and vanilla?”

“Whiskey,” Axel said. “Don’t they use it in Anhaven?”

“Not in food.” She glanced at Willem, who was watching her with interest. “It’s good though. Really good.”

A satisfied smile crept across his face. “I know.” He jumped up and began clearing the bowls.

“Do you miss your hometown?” Axel asked.

Elijah shifted beside her, but Vaelira kept her gaze on the table.

“I do,” she said. “But I haven’t had much time since training started. I think I missed it more on the road, when there was nothing to do but think.”

Axel nodded. “How was the journey? Any trouble?”

Elijah let out a low laugh, his hand settling near hers on the table. “You could say that.”

Axel raised a brow.

“Two raiders jumped us on the road to Allen and then a minor demon showed up.”

Axel blinked. “How did two raiders get the jump on you and Jurah?”

Vaelira’s cheeks warmed. “It was my fault.”

“It doesn’t matter now.” Elijah’s hand brushed hers, then as if realising what he had done, he withdrew it to his lap.

“I’m not as well informed as I once was,” Axel said, voice more serious now. “But I’ve heard the Wastelanders have been active again.”

Elijah nodded. “There have been reports. Small villages mostly.”

“They haven’t hit villages since before my time on the guard,” Axel said. “I wonder what’s making them so bold.”

“Could be desperation,” Elijah said. “Demon attacks are up. Maybe they’re struggling on the other side of the mountains too.”

Vaelira said nothing, but the news settled uncomfortably. She hadn’t heard any of this. Lysander must have known, yet he hadn’t trusted her with it.

“Or,” Axel said, “they’re taking advantage. If we’re busy fighting demons, they’ve got more room to move.”

“Exactly,” Elijah said, scraping the last of his bowl and licking the spoon.

Willem dropped back into his seat with a loud sigh. “As thrilling as all this is, I think it’s time.”

“Time for what?” Vaelira asked.

He held up a finger. “Hold that thought.” He stood, walking to a cabinet at the back of the kitchen and returning with four small glasses and a half full bottle of amber liquor. He poured himself a generous measure and knocked it back in one gulp.

“You’re hardly old enough for that,” Axel grumbled.

“Whatever,” Willem said, already refilling his glass. He filled the other three, pushing one towards Vaelira. “Our Royal Highness here seems to trust you, so I’ll answer your question from earlier.”

“I told you not to call me that,” Elijah grumbled.

Axel sighed, knocking back his drink. “Give me another. I’m going to need it.”