Page 72 of The Chains You Defy

As a glass with a deep blue liquid—Thain had served us from his canteen—landed in my hand, I examined the substance with suspicion. The liquor smelled sweet and fruity, but the fumes rising from the alcohol had my eyes watering even from a distance. Oh my, this stuff had to be strong.

Dion accepted a glass as well.

“You too?”

“Yes, as I’ve mentioned earlier, we’re safe here. And no party will be complete if there’s no Cintro. Although I don’t want to know where this came from.”

“I brought a canteen with me since I had a hunch we’d celebrate at some point during our journey. And like you’ve said, my prince, no revelry without Cintro.”

Instead of flying off the handle, Dion just nodded in the redhead’s direction.

It took me a moment to collect my jaw from the floor. This must have been the first time Dion had agreed with Thain on anything or exchanged words with him without a trace of hostility. Maybe the relaxed atmosphere was helping him to unwind?

“What exactly is Cintro? The mixture smells strong.”

“It’s an unholy concoction of various berries and three kinds of sugars, all brewed before letting the liquor rest for at least two winters.”

“In theory, you’re correct. But this special edition is a better version because I moonshined the blend.”

“This is moonshine Cintro?”

“Yes. With Raga.” Thain preened, and I still couldn’t believe that he and Dion conversed amicably with each other—about alcohol,of all things.

“Raga, really?”

“My mother taught me the recipe when I was a faeling.”

“What’s Raga?”

My attention slipped to Rewi, glad she’d voiced what I wanted to know as well. I hadn’t asked the males because I’d been too fascinated by Dion and Thain interacting peacefully. Maybe there was still hope for them.

“It’s an herb growing only in Thar Lear, which is the Galantan equivalent to Ivreia’s Eyudian Heights, and then Raga can solely be found on one of the farthest mountains near the summit. It’s as rare as the High King being friendly.” Even Fig inserted himself into the conversation as he studied the contents of his glass with fondness.

“Ah, it’s almost ready,” Thain said, his lips showcasing a wide grin.

I tore my gaze away from the males and observed my brew, which slowly turned from dark blue to crystalline crimson with swirls of purple and lighter blue. With astonishment, I noticed how each beverage changed differently. Fascinating. And confusing. “How?”

Dion peered at his Cintro, which had transformed into the exact same colors as mine. “Raga is rumored to add a prophetic element to Cintro. The alcohol turns into a hue that, within the next winter and a day, holds importance to the one who’s going to drink.” His throat bobbed, and despite my curiosity flaring up, I refrained from poking him about what it was with him and his melancholic expression all of a sudden. Maybe later, when we were alone.

“So, our future is supposed to be colorful.”

“Let’s toss this down before the Cintro gets bad.” Thain chimed in and raised his glass. “To saving worlds. And good company.”

Everyone repeated the cheers and then sampled their blend.

I’d been prepared to cough, after all, the Cintro smelled so strong, but the alcohol was surprisingly smooth and went down my throat like water. The flavor of spiced berries burst on my tongue, and my eyes widened. “This is officially my favorite liquor.”

My declaration was met by a chuckle from Dion, who clanked his glass against mine before we savored another sip.

An hour later, no one was sober anymore, but Dion was by far the most drunk person in the room. After he’d finished his first helping of Cintro, he dragged me onto his lap, his arms encompassing me like a steel vise. My head was already light enough not to protest.

Rewi was talking animatedly with Antas, Fig was in a conversation with Bryon, and Thain…the redhead had wrapped his arm around Ireas, who didn’t look the least unhappy about the arrangement. But the alcohol had tinted his cheeks red. Interesting.

“Now that we’re all in the mood, we should indulge in a game. No fae party is complete without them.” Thain declared with a heart-melting smile, his sharp canines full on display.

To my surprise, no one protested. Adults playing drunken games at celebrations was something unheard of in Ivreia, but I was all in for the excitement.

“What do you think, Ireas? What shall we play?”