AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I suppose you should have thought about that before you decided to drink a jug of khorva,” Draven said with false courtesy. He came up behind me and threw me up into the saddle before I could protest.
I glared down at him. “It wasn’t a jug!”
“Five mugs-full then,” he said. “Whatever. You clearly can’t handle the stuff.”
“Liquor has never bothered me before,” I complained. “I’ve never even been tipsy.” I watched as he unhitched the piebald, then took up both sets of reins, and began to lead us towards the town gates. “Even in the temple, when Merlin had me try eleusia.”
“Eleusia?” Draven seemed impressed. “I’ve heard it can cause hallucinations. Heady stuff.”
“Maybe for some, not for me. I felt nothing when I drank it.” Only disappointed.
Draven gave me a thoughtful look. “And was that before or after you started taking that medicine?”
“After. I’ve taken it for years. This is the first time...” My voice trailed off. “Oh.”
“Yes, fascinating isn’t it? All of the things that a powerful concoction can do.” He sounded sarcastic. “Both intended and unintended.”
“Yes.” I thought of my hair. “So, I’m what? Susceptible now?”
“Like other mortals, yes.” This time his voice was decidedly dry. “Enjoy the wicked hangover you’re sure to experience.”
“Hush, Draven,” I said with false imperiousness. “A princess might almost think you cared.”
He was silent after that. Which was a good thing, too, for my head had begun to split into pieces.
CHAPTER 21
Iwish I could saythat such an idyllic evening was followed by an equally idyllic night.
Instead, I spent hours in the darkness, curled up with a bucket by the dwindling fire, heaving my guts out. Too tired and too sick to even crawl a distance away.
At first I pitied Draven, having to listen to me as he slept. But he lay down on his bedroll, shooting me a look of pity tinged with sardonic amusement, and then appeared to fall almost instantly asleep.
After a few hours, I envied him, lying there like a lump.
Eventually the spasms stopped and I was able to crawl into my tent, shivering and shaking, and fall into a fitful sleep.
