I swallowed. Down beside Cobie, Skop was deeper into his cups than I’d ever seen him, the pitcher of mead at his side vanishing with startling rapidity. His voice rose and fell, sloshy with alcohol.

He wasn’t the only person in the hall who seemed to be getting carried away—he wasn’t even the only one at Alfödr’s table. Perrault was pink in the face, giggling to himself, and even Bragi looked a little glassy-eyed; mead flowed in Valaskjálf, stronger than what the rest of us were used to. I wasn’t worried until I heard Skop say something about Anya.

I thought of Skop taking my hand in Winchester as I crumbled in front of Bear and the court. Now it was time for me to look after him.

I caught Cobie’s eye and nodded in our first mate’s direction. As we helped him from the table, I smiled wanly at Torden. “Family first.”

He nodded, a little rueful.

“Torden’s in love with you,” Skop mumbled as he staggered from the hall. “Lucky you. Lucky yours is free,” he slurred. “Why is yours free when mine isn’t?”

“Skop,” I said gently, “between you and me, only one of us is actually free. And it’s not me.”

“Selah.” Skop sighed, eyes mournful. “I’m so sorry.”

And then he threw up on my shoes.

45

Back in his room, I murmured vague encouragement as Skop evacuated his stomach into a bucket, rambling between heaves.

“Is Lang mad? Is it why”—he hiccupped—“is it why because we’re under orders?”

I glanced at Cobie, but she just shrugged.

“I love her. He’s the worst. ‘Stick to the mission, Skop.’ He’s one to talk,” he slurred. Skop poked at me, pushing his index finger right into my forehead.

I stared at Cobie, wide-eyed. Mission? “What is he—?” I began.

“Okay. Okay, that’s enough,” Cobie announced, swatting Skop’s hand away. We both jumped as the tiny room’s door swung open. Then Cobie and I sighed in relief.

Skop lifted tired eyes to the doorway. “Hi, Lang.”

“Anything?” Cobie asked.

Lang pressed his lips together, darting a glance at me, and shook his head. “I went to Valaskjálf, and they told me you had already left.” He eyed the bucket and my discarded shoes, grimacing. “I can take over from here. You and Selah wait outside while I get him changed.”

Out in the corridor, Cobie wilted against the wall, half-heartedly beating her head against the stones.

“Tired?” I asked pointedly.

She closed her eyes with a groan. “I just knew Anya was going to do this to him.”

It was Aleksei’s gossip all over again. “Don’t say that. You don’t know her.”

“And you’ve known her for a week,” Cobie said sharply. Then she opened her eyes and sighed. “I’m sorry. That was harsh.”

“You’re always kind of harsh.”