Page 30 of Badmouths & Bards

The asshole in Tala wanted to push and bully her way to the answer, but there was something about his face that made her pause. Something Tala was familiar with, that was always one breath away.

Pain and anger.

It had only been a flash, but Tala knew what that looked like. Anger had been her nearest companion for as long as she could remember.

“We were sharing a room and I wanted a drink. It was cold as an ice giant and I wanted something warm. I asked Casi to go with me, but he was already settled in bed, working on some lyrics. I left, made it down two flights of stairs, and then I heard this sound. Like something hitting hard against a wall,” the bard exhaled, his eyes shutting briefly with memory. “I thought maybe he had fallen, so I ran back to the room. I got there, the door was open and when I stepped inside—”

He paused, biting his lip. The possibilities of what had happened inside that room filtered through Tala’s mind and the moment the worst one came through, she felt rage stiffen her body. Her jaw tightened as Ameriden ran a hand through his short hair.

“Fans had rushed the room. And not one or two—I mean a crowd. I can’t even tell you how many people were in there or how they found us. They were all screaming and I couldn’t even push past them. All I remember was seeing Casi pressed against the wall and the bed and the look on his face—” he cleared his throat. “After that, I blacked out. Next thing I know, Seira’s got a wagon outside the window and I’m jumping with Casi in my arms. We got out of there quick. Physically, he was fine but… he hasn’t been the same since.”

Fuck.

There were so many things wrong with what Ameriden had said and all of it caused Tala’s fist to tighten on her thigh. Casimine’s privacy had been violated, and if there was one thing Tala loathed more than anything, it was people who made choices for you.

Tala wasn’t certain how long she sat in the silence, only that she was doing everything in her power not to get up and punch a wall. The sound of Ameriden sniffing was what made her realize the bard was crying. Though he was doing his best to hide it. His hand was stretched across his eyes with his fingers brushing aside the tears.

Shit.

The Valiant Circle had pretty much given up on teaching Tala any sort of social skills. Her mind scrambled, trying to reach for anything to say that might offer—something? Comfort?

What the fuck am I supposed to even say here? Sorry your buddy’s privacy got violated while he was minding his business in his room and you couldn’t stop it, here’s a sympathy pat on the back? Fuck.

The Moon Maidens were more equipped to handle emotions—it was why Tala had fought so much with them. No amount of hugging or crying would ever calm the anger that was always simmering beneath her knuckles. It wouldn’t keep Tala from lashing out at anyone who got in her face—intentional or not.

Everyone except Avie.

They shouldn’t have been friends, but somehow Avie had pushed through all of the bullshit and found her underneath. All it took was Tala being more pissed off at the guy harassing Avie, one good right hook, and bam! Best friends for life… and fuck, did Tala miss her best friend.

Maybe that’s why whatever made Tala hard, lost some of its rigidity in that moment. Before she knew it, Tala had gotten up from the floor and wrapped her arms around Ameriden. She flushed immediately, face pressing against the same chest she had been enviously admiring for a week. The guy was as solid as he looked, but warm. Even with his arms hanging at his side like limp noodles.

If anyone were to ask, Tala would deny ever touching him until the day she died.

“Sorry people suck,” she murmured into his pectoral.

Was this working? This was comforting, right? Fuck, she wished Avie was there so she could get some kind of confirmation. That she wasn’t just making a bad situation worse. That everything she touched didn’t turn into bruises and bloody noses—

Tala swallowed her tongue when Ameriden’s large arms encircled her. He felt so much bigger then, arms heavy against her back and his head pressing against the side of hers.

“I shouldn’t have said anything. It wasn’t my story to tell,” he murmured against her temple.

“Probably. But it’s something I needed to know so I can keep him safe. And if it makes you feel better, I’m really good at punching.”

Ameriden laughed, a rumble that she could feel against her. His warm breath tickling Tala’s neck sent shivers down her spine. She was too fixated on how massive he was—which she understood— but it was so different to be pressed against him versus just looking. It made no sense to be stuck on it given Cercel existed.

“Well, if one of our fans crosses the line, I give you full permission to punch,” he murmured, voice low with promise. “Repeatedly.”

Tala didn’t need his permission, as she fully intended to beat the absolute shit out of anyone who even looked at Casimine the wrong way. She didn’t question where the sudden protective instinct came from.

“That’s what I’m good at,” she said instead.

“I’d love to see what else you’re good at.”

Her face grew warmer. That… that couldn’t mean what she thought it did, right? He was a flirt—both of them were, especially with each other. This was all part of their bard act…wasn’t it?

Doubt was ringing in her ears as Ameriden’s fingers tipped her chin up to look at him. Instead of fighting it, Tala met his gaze without her signature glare. His eyes were heavy with something Tala was having trouble deciphering. If she didn’t know better she could have sworn he was staring at her lips. Almost as if—

‘Tala. Please don’t freak out. I’m okay. There was an incident at the stronghold. Do! Not! Go to the stronghold! I’m…I’m in GloomsDale.’