Bound to Earth

16: I Fear Nothing, No One

Somewhere in the midst of the loud music, Alistar and I stumbled throughout my house, dancing. Though, it was mostly me tripping and Alistar catching me. We twisted and skipped until the world around us blurred, until my stomach twisted with my body.

Alistar somehow sensed my need for a bathroom and teleported me in front of a toilet. The timing was miraculous. 

My knees collapsed beneath me. And before I could slam into the ground, Alistar caught me around my waist. The material cracked beneath my fingers as I gripped the edges of the toilet and heaved. My skin was clammy, from the excessive dancing or my unending heaving. I was no longer sure.

Retching with a stomach full of food was far worse than only heaving fluids. I wouldn't ever complain about shitting again if it meant I'd never throw up. The bitterness in my throat burned in an unpleasant way.

I rested my forehead on my forearm, my stomach giving me a moment of reprieve. Every inhale was a breath of acid. I was tempted to hold my breath until the taste dissipated.

"Deep breaths." Alistar's arm never left my waist, holding me up when I couldn't. His other arm was rubbing soothing circles down my back. Which left me with the question of who was holding my hair back.

My lungs burned and I inhaled a deep breath of sugar and smoky wood. Brynjar ran a hand through my hair, collecting the small flyaways that escaped during my convulsions. 

The bitter, acidic taste of the residue was enough to have me heaving over the toilet once more. Except, this time, there was nothing left in my stomach to throw up. Sill, they stayed with me while my insides were ripped from my throat, until a sob broke from my chest. 

How long would this last? Not long. Another month, at most. They were starting to suspect, Alistar even knew I wasn't human. 

But when they knew who I was, what I was, they'd face more danger than ever before. And if—when—something happened to them because of me, I'd never be able to live myself. I already couldn't forgive myself for what happened in my past, the people I'd hurt, but I could live with that guilt. I wouldn't be able to live with the guilt of their lives.

"Nothing is going to happen to us. Don't be sorry." Brynjar brushed the hair from my face. There was enough confusion in his voice to put me at ease. "If anything, I want to lecture you on drinking alcohol, but I think this is punishment enough."

I hadn't realized I'd spoken aloud. "Heathen." I lifted my head enough to glare at him. It was better than them knowing the real reason for my spontaneous outburst. I spat in the toilet bowl, closed the lid, and sat back.

Brynjar tugged me to him. "Have you learned your lesson? To cut back on the alcohol."

"If anything, this makes me want to take another shot." I grinned, wrapping my arms around his waist. "What do you say? Let's finish the rest of my Liquid Gold." Now that there was an unlimited supply hidden in his home, I didn't need to be so frugal.

"So you can throw your guts up again? No, it's not healthy." Brynjar placed my tiara on my hair. The scruff along his jaw was much shorter now than when I first met him. But even when he had a clean, smooth jaw, he held that ruggedness, dominance no one could match.

"Alistar." I reached for him. "Do you want to take another shot with me?" Alistar glanced between me and Brynjar, a conflicted look passing his face. "Just one more." I held up a finger, then pressed it to his lips.

His entire face softened and he smiled around my finger. "One m—"

"No. You finally sobered half an hour ago. And you." Brynjar pinched my nose for emphasis. "Are still drunk."