As the evening wore on, Illara drank far more ale than was wise. It did not take long before her laughter grew louder and her balance less reliable.

  “Hey,” she said suddenly, turning to Sera, words blurring together. “When are you going to marry Ash already?”

  Sera stiffened, caught off guard by the question.

  Ash glanced at Illara and smiled faintly, saying nothing.

  “Illara,” Jenna said carefully, “you might want to slow down. Or you’ll regret it in the morning.”

  “Oh, I’m only just getting to the part where I feel like I can do anything,” Illara replied, waving the warning aside.

  Before I could react, she slid into my lap and looped an arm around my shoulders.

  “And now,” she announced, “I can tell Geoff that I love him too.”

  Sera blinked. “Who’s Geoff?”

  Illara drew breath. “Why—”

  “He’s a character in a book she’s been reading,” I said quickly. I was not ready for drunken revelations.

  I stood carefully, easing Illara back onto her feet. “I think it’s time we head home.”

  “Probably for the best,” Theo agreed. “Before she says something she really regrets.”

  “All right,” I said gently. “Let’s go, Illara.”

  “Only because it’s you taking me,” she mumbled, leaning heavily against me.

  I waved to the others as we left. “Goodnight. See you tomorrow.”

  The walk back was slow.

  “I meant what I said,” Illara murmured, clinging to me as we went. “I love you, Geoff.”

  “I care about you too, Illara,” I said. “Very much.”

  She tightened her grip around my neck. “Not like that. I mean… I want you. More than a friend.”

  The words landed harder than I expected.

  “I don’t think we should talk about this tonight,” I said after a moment. “Let’s talk when you’re sober.”

  She frowned, thinking as hard as she could manage. “Okay. But you have to give me a kiss.”

  I leaned in and kissed her cheek.

  “That’s not fair,” she complained. “I meant on the lips.”

  “You should have been clearer,” I said lightly.

  Back at the tower, I guided her inside. Faie looked up from her notes, eyes flicking briefly to Illara.

  “Ah. I observe that Illara has imbibed a quantity of alcohol exceeding her current capacity.”

  “Yes,” I said. “I’ll get her to bed. Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight.”

  Getting her upstairs was slow but manageable. Once inside the room, Illara shrugged out of her dress and underclothes without much coordination, until she was standing naked in front of me, then promptly tried to pull me down onto the bed with her.

  “No,” I said firmly, stepping back. “Not like this. You’re drunk, and you need sleep.”

  “It wouldn’t be a mistake,” she protested weakly.

  “It would be one you don’t get to choose properly,” I replied. “If anything happens between us, I want you to remember it. And want it.”

  She stared at me for a long moment, then nodded.

  “Okay.”

  She crawled under the covers, turned onto her side, and within moments was asleep, breathing deep and uneven.

  I stood there a while longer, listening, before quietly blowing out the candle.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  I changed into my nightshirt before climbing into bed beside Illara, careful not to wake her. I had no desire to deal with another attempt at seduction. I was also uncomfortably aware of Drisnil’s disappointment, the part of her that would have gladly taken the short-term pleasure and worried about the consequences later.

  Thankfully, sleep came quickly.

  I woke early the next morning. Illara was still fast asleep on her back, arms flung above her head, the sheets pushed down to her stomach. In a room this cold it was an impressive feat, and one likely aided by alcohol.

  I pulled the covers back up over her chest, trying to spare her at least that much discomfort. Unfortunately, it was enough to wake her.

  She groaned and pressed a hand to her forehead.

  “Ugh. I have such a headache.”

  Then her eyes opened properly. Realisation dawned. Her hand moved to her chest, then to her hips.

  “Why am I naked?” she asked, alarmed. “Did we… do something last night?”

  “No,” I said quickly. “You stripped and fell asleep almost immediately.”

  She relaxed, just slightly. “Ah. Good.” There was a trace of disappointment she did not quite manage to hide.

  “So this is what a hangover feels like,” she added. “It’s awful.”

  I got out of bed and dressed.

  “I’ll bring you something greasy to eat. That should help. You stay here.”

  “Thanks, Geoff,” she mumbled, rolling onto her side and pulling the covers over her head.

  Downstairs the house was quiet, everyone still asleep. I moved carefully and slipped outside. It did not take long to find a food stall already doing business. I bought a pair of bacon sandwiches and headed back.

  When I returned upstairs, Illara was still in bed, but now wearing a nightshirt.

  “I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “For being embarrassing.”

  I waved it off. “No need to apologise. We’ve all had drunken moments.”

  I handed her the food. “Eat. It’ll help.”

  She did, slowly, thoughtful between bites.

  After a while she asked, “What did I say while I was drunk?”

  “Well,” I said, “you asked Sera when she was planning to marry Ash.”

  Illara winced. “Oh no. I’ve wondered, but I didn’t want to push. They’re still so new.”

  “And,” I added carefully, “you declared your love for Geoff. In front of everyone.”

  Her jaw dropped.

  “Don’t worry,” I said quickly. “I told them he was a character in a book you’re reading.”

  She exhaled in relief. “Thank you.”

  She hesitated. “Anything else?”

  I considered it. “Nothing of consequence.”

  “Good,” she said softly. “Nothing too personal, then.”

  The door opened abruptly and Faie poked her head in.

  “I smell bacon sandwiches,” she said. “Where are they?”

  “I ate them,” Illara replied flatly.

  Faie pouted. “Unacceptable. You owe me bacon sandwiches on our date later.” She vanished again, the door closing with more force than necessary.

  Illara’s expression dimmed.

  “I’ll see you downstairs,” she said. “I want to get dressed.”

  I took the hint and left.

  By the time I reached the main room everyone was awake, largely due to Faie’s efforts.

  “Good morning,” I said.

  “Good morning, Drisnil,” Theo replied. “How’s Illara?”

  “She’s fine. Just nursing a brutal hangover.”

  He smiled knowingly. “I thought that might be the case. She didn’t seem entirely in control last night. I hope she wasn’t too much trouble.”

  “No,” I said. “Nothing I couldn’t handle.”

  Even as I said it, the memory of her confession resurfaced, along with the question of what to do about it. For now, I pushed it aside.

  A short while later Illara joined us, her expression composed, though she cast Faie a brief, pointed look as she took her place.

  “So,” I said, “we’re meeting Bassius at the temple again this morning?”

  “That seems to be the plan,” Theo replied. “Hopefully he’ll have something useful to tell us.”

  “I won’t be coming,” Faie said without looking up. “I still have far too much reading to do.”

  No one had asked her.

  “Then we should leave soon,” Illara said. “If Lord Raven is willing to see us, we may not have time to return and change. It would be best to wear our nicer clothes.”

  “Agreed,” I said. “Let’s get ready, then go.”

  “Can I change with you?” Sera asked me. “I’d rather not do it alone.”

  “That’s fine,” I said.

  We headed upstairs together, Sera carrying her dress over one arm.

  As soon as the door was closed behind us, she spoke.

  “So,” she said carefully, “who is Geoff? I don’t believe he’s just a character in a book.”

  Illara froze halfway into her dress.

  I did not pretend surprise. “Geoff is another name I use,” I said. “The kinder version of me. The one Illara talks to.”

  Sera studied my face. “That makes sense,” she said at last. “So what’s your answer, then? Geoff.”

  “I don’t have one yet,” I said. “There’s too much I need to untangle first.”

  Her gaze hardened, not unkindly. “You’re hurting Illara by leaving it unresolved. If you still haven’t answered her in a week, I’ll encourage her to go home.”

  Illara turned sharply. “Sera, please. Don’t do that. I don’t want to pressure her.”

  “I’m not pressuring her,” Sera said, her voice steady. “I’m protecting you. This uncertainty will only wound you if it’s allowed to linger.”

  The room fell quiet.

  “All right,” I said finally. “I’ll give Illara an answer within a week.”

  Sera nodded once, satisfied.

  Illara said nothing, but the tension in her shoulders eased just enough to be noticeable.

  I owed her clarity. And now, I had given my word.