Page 76 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens

Chapter 28

Renascence

Roxanne made her way across the room, getting comfortable on my bed as though it was her own. “What happened?” She drank straight from the bottle before offering it to me.

“Nothing,” I said dismissively. “I want to be alone.”

“Do you, though?” She raised a brow, crooking her head. She shoved the bottle into my hands, ushering me to drink.

I glared at her, though I could not find it in me to order her out. “No.” I snatched the bottle out of Roxanne’s hand; the smell hit my nostrils. My eyes watered as I moved the bottle close to my lips. “I do not.” I choked on the moonshine.

Roxanne snorted at my reaction. “Never thought I would be drinking with a royal herself.” She chuckled when she met my glare. “I know we are not friends, but Florence—” Roxanne sighed. “She would want me to be here when she cannot.”

I took another big sip, coughing, though not from the drink this time. “I am fine,” I mumbled. “I can take care of myself.”

“I hear you scream sometimes.” Roxanne adjusted a pillow under her back. “We all do,” her emotionless voice hit straight into my chest. “We don't have to talk; I prefer drinking anyway,” she shrugged.

I swallowed the burning liquid, my eyes searched Roxanne’s for any sign of mockery. “I don’t need your pity,” I spat out. I hadno reason to be angry with Roxanne, yet I was all the same. “And I don’t need a sitter.”

Roxanne's gaze fell onto her lap when she whispered, “Maybe I don’t want to be alone either.”

My brows furrowed so slightly at her confession. I opened my mouth to reply, yet the words abandoned me.

I took a long sip of moonshine before handing the bottle to Roxanne.

The wind whistled through my room, bringing me out of the oblivion as my eyes fluttered open. The cold brushed over my uncovered skin; goosebumps traveled down my body. A long forgotten calmness swept through me.

Frowning, I wondered if perhaps I was still asleep when an unfamiliar serenity enveloped me whole.

I pulled the blankets higher when my gaze fell upon a small piece of paper lying atop the pillow next to me.

My brows furrowed as my hand stretched out to the rough parchment: a beautiful drawing of a woman with a gray cat in her hands. In the corner in a neat handwriting it read,You snore. R.

A grin spread across my face as my fingers brushed over the paper. After a whole bottle of moonshine split between the two of us, I couldn’t recall the moment I had fallen asleep.

An impatient knock on the door made me drop the drawing. “Come in,” my hoarse voice traveled through the room as I attempted to fix the dress I had fallen asleep in.

A few more loud thuds vibrated on the wood.

“Come in!” I said louder, clearing my throat; the knocks continued with new power.

A groan escaped me as I climbed out of the bed, making my way towards the door with the serenade of loud thuds. “Caleb?” I swung the door open.

The man frowned, scanning my appearance. “Get dressed,” he said. “We are going to train.”

My brows flew high. “Perhaps we could start tomorrow?” I suggested, attempting to close the door.

“Ask Roxanne for the proper attire.” Caleb’s boot stopped the door from closing. “The dress won’t do,” he simply said, walking away. “I will be waiting for you in the training hall,” Caleb called over his shoulder.

Perhaps I was still asleep.

My gaze fell upon Florence peacefully sleeping on the bed by the window when Roxanne opened the door. “Caleb said you can give me something to wear,” I told her. “He wants me to train with him.”

Florence’s chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. Her soft features had brightened since the night I saw her last. A sigh of relief filled my lungs.