leg again.
“Nah-ah. Imma pirate, and piratesh need rum.”
“Next time, use a glass,” Kerr said.
Cassie grinned.
“They’re more relaxed when they can self-medicate. Besides, look at the bottle. She really didn’t have much.”
I peered at the bottle, trying to focus on the line. It kept sloshing around, though. Shrugging, I took another sip and almost spit it all over Cassie when I was stung again.
“Kill it already,” I said, choking on my swallow. My windpipe burned more fiercely than the next two bee stings, though.
“And you’re all set,” Cassie said. “You’ll need to keep it dry for a few days, but I’ll be over to check on you first thing in the morning since I’m not sure you’ll remember any of this.” She tried to take the bottle from me, but I held tight.
“Pirates never give booty,” I slurred.
Cassie sighed.
“Can you wrap her in a blanket and take her home?”
I peered at Kerr, who she was looking at, then shook my head at her.
“Ohhhh. My mom’s going to be so mad at him.”
Cassie glanced at me.
“Why?”
I waggled the rum bottle at her.
“Can’t go home,” I said.
“I’ll take her to Thallirin’s,” Kerr said. “He can take her home.”
I giggled.
“Right under the bush.” Bush? I tried saying bus again but more bush came out. I stuck out my tongue to check that it was in the right spot.
Cassie used my distraction to steal my bottle.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said while Kerr wrapped me up in a blanket burrito.
Chapter Thirteen
My legs were cold, and my world was swimming. Stars glittered overhead, occasionally blocked out by my foggy exhales.
Kerr stopped walking, and I lifted my head to watch him knock on the door.
Thallirin answered a moment later.
“You’re in big trouble, mishter!” I said, scowling at him.
“She had alcohol to dull the pain of receiving stitches. She said her mom will be angry if she is returned home drunk.”
Kerr shoved me at Thallirin, who had no choice but to take me.
“Thank you,” Thallirin said before stepping back and kicking the door shut.
Then, finally, he looked at me.
“I shoulda shot you,” I said with a scowl. “You leff me.” My scowl turned to a sad mew. “Why you leave me?”
He set his forehead to mine, and I reached up to cup his face.
“I like you, Thall-ririn. You’re supposed to like me, too.”
“I like you very much, Brenna.”
“Then shtop running away. Ish mean. I can’t think here.” I tapped his head then tilted mine to rub my nose against his and bring our lips closer. He held so still. For me. My captive.
“Do you want me or nah? I dunno with you noring me.”
“I want you, Brenna. Always.”
I liked how his exhale warmed my face and made my middle dance. My fingers drifted over his cheek scar then along the hard length of his clenched jaw.
“I feel things,” I said just before my tongue darted out and lightly stroked over his lower lip.
He started shaking, and I grinned. I liked that reaction much better than when he ran.
“Did you eat?” he asked gruffly, distracting me from licking him again.
“No, bah I shure drank lots.”
He carried me to the kitchen and set me on a chair. I watched him inspect the cupboards then return to the table with a bag of popcorn.
“I doan wan that,” I said, nudging it away.
“What do you want?”
“More rum!”
He filled a glass of water and gave it to me.
“Drink this first.”
“Brenna do this. Brenna do that.” I chugged the water then thunked the glass back down on the table. “I have choices,” I said, standing. The room wobbled, and I put my hand out, steadying myself on Thallirin’s chest.
Frowning, I stared at the grey skin under my fingers.
“Where’d your shirt go?”
I looked up at him.
“I didn’t have one on.”
I grunted like a fey and grinned at my cleverness. Then I started tracing my fingers down his sternum.
“I wunner where thish goesh…”
I groaned as I became aware of the pounding in my skull.
“Why?” I moaned.
“Take this.” I lifted my head to look at Thallirin. He held out two white pills. I took them along with the glass of water that he offered.
As I swallowed, bits of the night before filtered in.
Me going through all the cupboards and demanding Thallirin make cupcakes. Thallirin petting my hair as I heaved my guts out in the toilet. Thallirin putting paste on my toothbrush so I could brush. Thallirin trying to stop me from stripping out of my clothes before I crawled into his bed.
I lifted the covers, hoping