AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The Inn wasn’ta five-star accommodation by any means. In fact, it was the remnants of an old tavern that had been converted from the mining era to a cozy bed and breakfast. It touted original brick walls and wood rafters as well as a hand-crafted bar that filled the room adjacent to the check-in desk.
The bar was filled with a dinner crowd, and it was clear that it was not only popular with the few tourists visiting the tiny town but also the locals. They filled the majority of the tables, and those not interested in a meal crowded the bar. There was even a small dance floor that Flora could picture filled with people dancing to the sounds of the old timey jukebox in the corner.
Draven led her across the crowded room to the bar to grab drinks for the group while Kade and Mateo secured them a table, but her thoughts were still out on the sidewalk, reeling over what Draven had said to her.
She wasn’t sure if he was saying she was his, or that he didn’t want to protect her. Or maybe it was both. Either way, drunk bees had taken flight in her stomach as a result of one option while a softball lodged in her throat as a result of the other.
Flora needed his protection, definitely in Lune and at least for a time if he were to become her sire. Vampires needed guidance through the change, and if she was honest she’d much rather be attached to Draven than Callum. In the short time she’d known him, Callum had shown himself to be a mysterious asshole who would likely make her life miserable. Draven hadn’t given her any reason to doubt him, but words, especially those spoken in anger, always held a snippet of truth, and she’d rather know where he stood.
A woman with wiry brown curls piled on top of her head and an eye patch pounded her fist on the bar in front of her, causing Flora to jump. “What will you be having tonight?”
“Um.” She looked to the wall of bottles behind the bar, unsure what to say. She’d never actually been to a bar, let alone ordered herself a cocktail. “I’ll take a prosecco.”
The woman’s brows shot clear to her forehead.“A what?”
“Champagne?” Flora offered.
“Oh, why didn’t you say so?”
The barkeep turned to Draven and pressed the breasts that were nearly popping out of her low cut blouse against the bar. Her voice lowered and came out breathy, and she batted her one visible eye. “And for you, sir?”
The way sir rolled off her tongue irritated Flora more than she cared to admit. More than it should have.
If Draven noticed her flirtations, he didn’t let on. His eyes were firmly set on Flora when he answered. “I’ll have a Glenlevit on the rocks as well as a gin and tonic and a Guinness for my buddies.”
“Whiskey. A man after my own heart.”
Draven gave her a polite smile, his hand drifting to the small of Flora’s back.
The woman’s eye tracked his movement, and her smile faltered slightly. She crossed the bar and placed the highball glasses and draft on in front of them. In front of Flora, she placed a bottle of light colored beer.
Her brows wrinkled. “What’s this?”
“Miller Highlife,” the woman said with a chuckle. “The champagne of beer.”
A few of the patrons around them huffed a laugh, having heard their interaction. Flora’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and Draven dropped his bead, his back vibrating with silent laughter.
“Sorry sweets, that’s the only champagne we got.” The bartender looked her up and down. “We don’t have any of that fancy stuff you’re clearly used to.”
“Oh, um. Do you have anything similar, like with bubbles? I like the bubbles.”
The bartender’s mouth cracked into a smile, and Flora could tell she was about to laugh at her once more, this time likely louder, which would only draw more attention.
Draven cut her off and pushed his glass back toward her. “Add ginger ale to mine. I’ll take the Highlife.”
“But,” the bartender protested, looking from Draven to the glass, “that’s Glenle—”
His eyes narrowed on her, and he lowered until it sounded downright menacing. “I believe I asked you to do something.”
Flora wanted to pull away from him, the look in his eyes more than she could handle. She didn’t want him to cause more of a scene. She reached up and placed her hand on bicep. “Draven, you don’t have to—”
“It’s fine.” He turned to meet her pleading stare. He closed his eyes and when he opened them there was no longer anger, but she couldn’t place what she saw in his emerald depths. Surely it couldn’t be what matched her own heart. “I’ll drink it, Flora.”
The woman cocked her head to the side, her eyes narrowing on Flora. “Flora, that’s a pretty name.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ve only ever heard it once before,” the bartender muttered as she used the soda gun to pour ginger ale in his top-shelf whiskey.“Is there anything else I can do for you?” she asked, watching Draven closely.
