“More times than I can count.”

It’s true. Many nights with The Cloaked were spent in a tavern or small village where Torrent and I embarrassed the entire crew with our shameless dancing and antics.

Idalia raises her hands above her head, her eyes closed in merriment as her body sways to the music. I try not to stare. To gawk. But gods, her movements…

We continue to dance with small wariness in our steps, careful not to get too close. Every so often, our eyes lock, but maybe it’s for more than simple caution. Maybe they linger upon each other a little too long.

Perhaps a stare can be more deadly than a touch.

Hours pass. My legs shake. Even Torrent leans over, and Nuri stretches her arms as high as possible to fit around his waist, though they don’t make it past his hips. Lin has been sitting for a while now, downing drink after drink and telling stories about our adventures. Lorna is totally drunk, which makes me happy. She’s still listening to the blonde woman, Rianne. I’ve no idea what Rianne is saying that could possibly hold Lorna’s interest for so long, but I mean to congratulate her and buy her a drink. Idalia had a few glasses herself, but left the dance circle to join the Idunn children off to the side and play.

I’ve danced with countless partners, and as I spin Breto, a short male with gangly teeth and mustard hair, for the final time, I know I’m at last too spent to take on another. The music stops. He bows and thanks me, and I bring him in for a hug, then stumble over to the soft grass. The orbs’ light now shines a warm, dim gold. The Idunn people are tired and start to make their way back to their homes in the trees. Nuri releases Torr and approaches me, her eyes foggy from drink.

“We have an inn, but there are only two beds, and they’re quite small.”

I throw up a lazy hand. “I can sleep here; I prefer the ground to a mattress.”

“I know,” she smiles.

Torrent appears behind her; his buzzing grin says it all. “I won’t fit in one of those beds. We should give them to Lorna and Lin.”

Nuri’s brow arches. “My bed is large, Stoneman, so that I may fit large people in it.”

Torr’s lips curl into a smile.

“Goodnight, Boss.”