The chicken hadn’t burned, though the skin had an interesting strip of char across it in one place. Damon settled down at the table next to Lilian and Vel, who were already chatting and sipping wine.
“The price of meat in Telsius was far from what I’d consider to be fair, but I wanted to cook something fresh for a change,” said Malon. “There’s plenty for everyone.”
With a radiant smile, she unveiled the bird, setting it down alongside platters of baked potatoes and asparagus, the vegetables lavished in butter. Damon had to still his hand to keep from reaching out and picking with his fingers, instead waiting for Malon to serve them each in turn.
“I will take my portion downstairs,” said Ria. “I am in no mood to sit down for dinner tonight.”
Malon looked like she wanted to object, but she was clearly keen on avoiding another fight so soon after the incident on deck. Fortunately, Damon still had a few tricks up his sleeve.
“If you eat downstairs, you’ll miss out on your gift,” he said.
“Gift?” said Vel.
“Yeah, did I forget to mention that?” he asked absently. “I bought gifts in Telsius. A little thank you to everyone for trusting me enough to come along on this journey in the first place.”
Ria sighed and settled down into her chair. “I suppose you will hold mine hostage if I do not submit to your whims, then?”
“Exactly.” He grinned and winked at Malon as she set some chicken and a baked potato down on his plate. “I think you’ll be glad to get this one, Ria.”
The food stole everyone’s attention for the next few minutes. Malon had very nearly outdone herself, with everything cooked to perfection, a timeless pairing of flavors. Damon ate until he was stuffed before finally grabbing his bag and making a show of slowly opening it.
“Since you were kind enough to deign us with your presence, Ria, I’ll give you yours first,” he said. “Here. Since I lost your last one.”
He pulled out the throwing knife, which looked quite handsome in its sheathe, and passed it across the table. Ria blinked and turned it over in her hand, a slow grin spreading onto her face.
“This is perfect,” she said. “You know me too well, husband. I shall cherish this even more than I did the last.”
“And when you lose it anyway, I’ll get you another,” he said.
She swatted his shoulder, but he caught her hand and kissed it.
“It’s a throwing knife,” he whispered. “That wasn’t a commentary on your ability to lose things, just they’re a pain to keep track of, as far as weapons go.”
He gave Malon her hairpin next, enjoying the way her eyes twinkled at the sight of the jewelry. He rarely saw her get excited over clothing or accessories, but she went so far as to immediately work it into her braid.
“It’s perfect, solas,” she said. “I’ll wear it tonight, and likely only on special occasions, from then on.”
“It suits you,” he said.
“It matches her eyes perfectly,” said Vel. “I’m surprised Damon had good enough taste to pick it out.”
“Are you really going to needle me right before getting your own surprise, Vel?” He pulled the carefully folded nightgown and passed it to her. She grinned and held it up to herself as she examined it, not recognizing the skimpy garment for what it was, at first.
“Well,” said Ria. “It certainly leaves very little to the imagination.”
Malon cleared her throat. “Seta, perhaps you should save that one for your bedroom. It seems more like the type of gown that would be… best worn in private.”
“Of course, you’ll have to show it to Damon, so he can see how it fits on you.” Lilian elbowed Vel in the arm, grinning from ear to ear. “It’s only fair, seeing how thoughtful he was to get you such an… interesting gift.”
Vel was blushing hard, but she was obviously trying not to smile as she met his gaze. “How incredibly thoughtful, Damon. So thoughtful, in fact, that I can all but imagine what was going on inside your head when you bought me this.”
“Will you try it on tonight?” he asked.
“I mean… if you wanted to see me in it tonight… I suppose I could.” She blushed even harder, and everyone else broke out into laughter.
Damon refilled Vel’s wine glass, raising a finger and turning his attention to Lilian.
“Last but not least,” he said, “I thought this might help you enjoy yourself a bit more under the oppression of the sunlight.”
“A new cloak,” she said, holding it up. “Ooh. I like this. Here, I think this is a piece of attire that I can show off without restraint.”
She stood up and pulled it on. It looked rather fetching on her, with a distinct edge of mystery and intrigue from the way the cowl shaded her face. Lilian slid her arms into the cloak and furrowed her brow, patting a spot on the side.
“There’s something in one of the pockets,” she said.
She pulled out what looked at first to be a long, pale stick, like a tiny, tightly rolled missive. Bringing it to her nose, she gave it a small sniff, grinning and shrugging.
“That is heartlift weed, unless I’m mistaken,” she said.
She held it out. Ria took it before anyone else could and gave it a sniff of her own, nodding in agreement. “Most definitely. Strong stuff, too. Far better than what grows in the Malagantyan.”
“You don’t say,” said Damon, drumming his fingers on the counter.
“Well,” said Lilian, with a smile. “I know what I’m doing tonight.”
“Throwing it overboard, I would hope.” Malon folded her arms and frowned at the rest of the table. “On top of being unhealthy and unsavory, smoking is also reckless, given the nature of our current circumstances.”
“I completely agree, aesta,” said Damon. “Which is why I shall escort her up on deck to help her dispose of it.”
He refilled his wine glass to take with him, offering his other arm to Lilian, who looped hers through.
“It is so dark outside at this time of night,” said Ria. “It would seem necessary for me to bring a lantern to help light your way.”
“Good thinking!” said Lilian.
Malon let out a defeated sigh as the three of them headed for the main deck. Vel pushed her chair back and hurried after them.
“I should… go too,” she said, seeming to fumble for an excuse. “Just to be a part of the group.”
“Ah, yes,” said Malon sardonically. “Such a good reason to join in on a potentially volatile activity.”
The starlit night was stunning, despite being thick with clouds in places. Damon walked to the edge of the railing and leaned his back against it. There was a cool, even wind that seemed to pick up and die down in rhythm with the rolling waves.
Ria opened the lantern, and Lilian carefully slid the heartlift weed spliff into the flame to light the end. She brought it to her lips, took a small hit from it, and exhaled a pungent plume of smoke into the air before passing it to Damon.
He did have a passing moment of thought, if not outright hesitation, over what his aesta had said. She wasn’t the type of woman to worry over nothing. Well, she could be sometimes, but he supposed she wouldn’t have spoken up without a fair amount of justifiable concern.
He resolved to talk to her later, perhaps pay a visit to her room if he got the chance that night. Slowly, Damon brought the heartlift weed spliff to his lips and inhaled, watching the cherry burn a brighter orange as the smoke filled his lungs.
It was a bit like sinking into a pool of warm water. He felt his skin more vividly, the hang of his clothing, the bare section of his neck open to the caress of the cool night air. The outlines of everything within view softened around the edges, a slight, pleasant fuzziness that seemed to extend into his emotional state as well.
He exhaled and passed the spliff to Ria. Her fingers brushed his as she accepted it, sending a flutter of sensation and excitement through him, amplified by the way her eyes briefly lingered on his, lips hinting at a smile. It felt less like a passing emotion and more like stepping into a mood. He became hyper-aware of Lilian on his other side as he leaned back against the railing, her shoulder close enough to his to feel the warmth it gave off.
“It’s good,” whispered Lilian. “I haven’t smoked in years. Since I still served under Kastet during her time in Avaricia.”
“That long?” asked Damon.
“Yeah.” She all but grinned, holding his gaze in a way that felt far too compelling. “It’s been a while.”
Ria breathed out smoke with a contented sigh. She felt for Damon’s free hand, and he held hers. He realized he was still holding a glass full of wine and took a sip, wincing slightly at the flavor, which was more acrid than it had seemed earlier in the night.
“Ria,” said Vel, as Ria made to pass the spliff to Lilian. “You skipped me.”
“Hmm…” said Ria. “What do you think, husband?”
“She can take a hit,” said Damon. “Just a small one, though. It’s pretty strong stuff, Vel.”
“Quit treating me like a child,” she countered, glaring at him and Ria. “I’ve smoked before. I smoked with you, Damon, if you remember.”
He wanted to point out that he did, in fact, remember, and it was where his uncertainty came from. She’d been near senseless that night and hadn’t been able to recall the events of the night the morning after, and that had been off a smoke kiss.
“Go easy, Velanor,” said Ria, who passed her the spliff.
“You worry too much,” said Vel.
She brought the spliff to her lips and, with the enthusiasm of inexperience, sucked in a hard breath. Her eyes bulged as she flooded her lungs with smoke. It looked as though she might prove them wrong for a moment… and then she broke out into a massive fit of coughs.
Damon couldn’t stop himself from laughing, especially as Lilian and Ria joined in. It was raucous, infectious laughter, the kind that had him hanging onto the railing for support. The kind that was instantly reborn from a single glance at Ria and Lilian, who were both immersed in their own struggle to reign in their amusement.
“Shut up!” said Vel, still coughing. “Stop it! It’s not that…”
Funny, was probably the word she’d been looking for, but she burped instead, releasing a puff of stale smoke. Damon snorted, and the fit of hilarity began anew, until he and Ria and Lilian were in tears and sitting on the deck, thoroughly high and entertained.
The rumble of thunder came from overhead, distinct and ominous within the dark clouds of the sky. It took Damon a few seconds to realize what it meant for them.
“That’s a storm,” he said. “Are we heading into it or away from it?”
Another boom of thunder answered his question before any of the others could.