The walk back to the Underworld seems to take forever, the street stretching like taffy beneath my feet. I blink. “Shit, I’m drunk.”
“I know.” She laughs, the bitch.
“I hate you.”
“No you don’t.” Another of those laughs. “But you will tomorrow.”
Right. The sparring. Damn it, I really don’t want to do it. No matter how good I get, I’ll never be on Allecto’s level, and she barely pulls her punches. Something about it not providing a real enough experience to cut down on my reaction time. It made more sense when I didn’t have alcohol flowing through my veins, giving everything a warm, fuzzy feel. “Maybe we should fuck.”
Allecto snorts. “Yeah, no.”
“Why not?”
“One, you’re drunk as a skunk. Two, we’re friends, and while you fuck your friends, I don’t.” She gives my shoulders a squeeze. “You’re just feeling lonely after watching everyone couple up. Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Stop telling me my life.”
“Then stop hitting on me just because I’m a warm body.”
I open my mouth and my brain finally catches up to my tongue. “I hit on you because you’re hot.”
“I’m hot and I always tell you no.”
That surprises a laugh out of me. We’re almost back to the Underworld, back to something resembling reality. “I’ll stop, I promise. Sorry.”
“Nah, it’s all good.” She shoulders open the door and tows me through it. “You’re cute when you’re all drunk and flirty. It’s endearing. Like a puppy.”
“Ouch.” I press my hands to my chest and weave my way to the elevators. “A shot to the heart.”
“Something tells me you’ll survive it.” She follows me into the elevator, still grinning. “Let’s get you back to your room before you face-plant and I have to explain to Hades how I let his precious Aurora break her pretty nose.”
“Eh.” I wave that away. “He won’t care.”
“Sure he won’t. Because Hades definitely doesn’t get overprotective and growly when it comes to you.” I don’t know what my expression is doing, but she bursts out laughing. “Like I said.”
I am too focused on putting one foot in front of the other to respond until we reach my door and Allecto keys it open. I slump against the doorframe. “Hey, Allecto.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m really glad we’re friends. Like… really glad. You’re pretty awesome.”
Her grin softens. “You’re pretty awesome yourself, Aurora. Now get your ass to bed and don’t be late tomorrow. If I have to come looking for you, I’ll haul your ass into a cold shower and then you won’t be glad we’re friends.”
I gasp, but I can’t keep my mock outrage. I’m still laughing as I shut the door and stumble my way to bed. It doesn’t matter that I’m single. I like being single. I’ll even remember that tomorrow, once the alcohol has faded out of my system. I’ll remember that I’m not actually lonely. I’ll remember that I have purpose. I’ll remember that I’m really, really happy.
Tomorrow.
Yeah, I’ll remember all that tomorrow.This short originally appeared as the July 2020 short for my Patreon. Each month, patrons nominate their favorite couples and characters, vote on one, and I write a brand new short featuring the winner. For more bonus stories, please consider joining my Patreon.14Honey, We’re HomeZurielle“You’ve done well, Zuri.”
I smile at Ursa. In the months since my auction, since I fell in love with Ursa and Alaric for real, she’s slowly started bringing me along when she goes to meetings and walking me through the backside of her operations. Ursa runs a tight ship. But then, do I expect anything different?
I lean my head on her shoulder as the car cuts through Carver City, heading back to her penthouse. “Thank you.”
She takes my hand and traces the lines in my palms with a single nail. “There’s nothing to thank me for.”
I hide my smile. “I know it hasn’t been that long, and you’re letting me see the details of something that’s important to you. I know that means something.”
Her finger pauses its tracing for a moment and then resumes. “I love you, little Zurielle. Of course I’m letting you in.”
But there’s no of course about it. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that you can take nothing for granted in this life. Not safety, not stability, certainly not love. She’s given me the gift of all three. Her and Alaric. It’s also clear that she’s still uncomfortable with my pointing out her willing vulnerability.
I close my hand over hers. “Your people will walk through fire for you.”
“Yes.”
“It’s a sign of a good leader.”
She laughs. “If you don’t treat your people well and give them a reason to feel loyal to you, you can expect a knife in the back the first chance they get. I’ve seen it happen enough times to learn from others’ mistakes. To learn from my mistake.”
“Have you thought about opening up some kind of trade with Sabine Valley?”