I jerked upright and into Forrest’s arms as I gasped in pain, holding my throbbing head. “Ow, damn it,” I muttered.
He chuckled.
“Not funny.”
“Hey, I promised no lecture, so I won’t give you one.”
“How long was I out?”
“Few hours. Take it slow.”
I swung my legs over the side of the bed, wincing with every move as if someone was bashing a hammer into my head over and over again.
“You sure you don’t want to keep lying down for a while?”
I opened my eyes wide and managed to sit upright, meeting his worried gaze. “No, I’ll be alright. Walking around will be good for me.”
I was a bit wobbly at first, but he wrapped an arm around my waist, and we managed to get out of our room and down to the hall.
The fortress was filled with music and celebratory cheering and laughter. There were certainly more people here, and I was thrilled to see them out of those cages and alive.
“What of the ones under the sleeping curse?” I asked, remembering some being carried out of the cages, right before I’d collapsed.
“Some have awoken. The rest are in the makeshift infirmary, sound asleep. But they’re alive, thanks to you.” He paused and drew me in closer to his side as he kissed the top of my head. “You hungry? I’ll round you up something to eat.”
“Sure, just set me at a table somewhere.”
“Yes, my lady,” he teased and led me over to a table with Kate, Sabella, and Lucy.
They lifted their glasses in a toast as Forrest sat me down and promised he’d return with something edible. Once he was gone, I rested my head on the table and groaned.
“You look wonderful,” Kate said with a laugh. “Need a drink?”
“Need something, my head’s killing me.”
I thanked her as she slid me a mug, and I drank it down. The ale was strong, and I sucked in a breath as the women laughed.
“Shit, how long has that been here?”
“Few hundred years at least.” Kate winked and drained her mug. “After a mug or two, you really can’t taste it anymore.”
“Good to know.” I drank more of it down.
The first battle back inside the realms had been hard, but it was worth it. For one night, we could enjoy the celebration of having freed everyone from Baladon.
The darkness was still lifting, and only a few remained under the sleeping curse. Forrest returned with Craig and Tristan in tow, carrying a bowl of steaming stew.
I made short work of it, emptying the bowl in no time. It woke me up even more.
There was singing and more dancing as the music played late into the night. Outside a war raged on, but in here, our people could let loose, not think about tomorrow or the next day. For seven long months, they’d suffered and now…
Now the tides of war were finally changing. Sometime during all the dancing, the ale finally caught up with me, and I was giggling with Kate and Sabella at one of the tables, at what I couldn’t even remember.
Forrest, Craig, and Tristan were playing a game of some kind at the other end of the hall. There were smiles and laughter everywhere I turned. And during those few hours, I swore I sensed Thorne’s presence.
The ends of my hair lifted again on a warm breeze, and I searched the crowd for his familiar face. I was on my feet, about ready to chase after a figure I thought was him, but then it was gone.
“Mori? You okay?” Kate asked through her hiccupping laughter.
“Yes, I’m good,” I said, sitting back down. “Can’t decide if I’m tired or over-tired, though.”
“Same.” Sabella yawned. “I think I’m going to turn in. Hey, furball.”
Tristan’s head whipped around, and he gave her a wolfish grin that turned into an eye roll as she staggered into him. “Are we having problems?”
“Nah, just be a good alpha and carry me to our room.”
He chuckled as he threw her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. She complained and tried to get down, but he started walking off with her.
He growled, “You didn’t specify how.”
“Oh, aren’t you just a smartass tonight.”
Kate and I giggled as they left the hall. Craig and Forrest sauntered their way over and plopped down at our table.
“What are you two grinning about?” Kate asked as they seemed to be having a hard time not bursting into laughter.
“Nothing, just having guy talk. Can’t we do that, just like you have your girl talk?”
“You can,” Kate replied slowly. “But it makes me more suspicious when you do it.”
“Now you know how it feels.” He leaned back toward her. “Hmm, what do you say we get out of here?”
Kate and Craig were the next out of the room, holding hands.
I leaned into Forrest and was content watching everyone dance and sing the night away. It was peaceful despite the noise, and I could’ve stayed there all night long. But between the fight and the ale, I found my eyes closing. Then I was in Forrest’s arms.
“Where are we going?” I asked sleepily.
“Getting you to bed so you can rest some more,” he informed me. “So we both can.”
“You don’t sound annoyed with me anymore. I’m going to take that as a good sign,” I said, loving the growl that rumbled through his body. I shut my eyes, curling against his chest and letting the motion of his carrying me put me to sleep.
When I opened my eyes again, we were in bed, the torch burning dimly in the room, and Forrest’s arm was wrapped securely around me.
I shifted, and he grunted in his sleep, pulling me closer to his chest in protest.
I settled back down again, sinking into his warmth and smiled to hear the distant sounds of music still playing well into the night.