Not planned...at all

Chapter 23

However the hunk of a man did have a very suspicious and guilty look on his face. You know that look kids have when they know they shouldn't be doing what they're doing or thinking what they're thinking? Well exactly that.

Meanwhile Lucien sort of blinked out of his confusion, thought it over for a bit and then shrugged.

"It's strong...and good I hope you have good secrets to trade?"

I smirk.

"The value of the secret is different for each person depending on what matters to them and how well it's been kept! Now give it here I wanna taste whatever fae alcohol is like."

Lucien gives me a side eye, because of course he does I should've expected that after reading ACOTAR! But he does concede and pass me the glass, earning a glare from Cassian who has for some reason situated himself behind me.

I look over my shoulder at him.

"It's one secret, the fact that you're joining won't give you more secrets without payment!"

With that I bring the glass up smelling the brass colored liquid almost like the magical version of whiskey it stings my nose. Definitely gonna be strong like Lucien said...oh well!

I take a large sip, too bad for Lulu he never specified how much I could take in one sip!

The taste is somehow similar to high grade Whiskey without being as overpowering as those tend to be. It burns my throat as I swallow and I don't cough but tears do build up in my eyes at the unexpected taste.

I shake my head giving Lucien back his glass with a scrunched nose. It's pretty basic, different from what I'm used to but nothing too exotic or weird as I was hoping.

"Alright so, 1 secret it was!"

"That was half my glass, think that can mean 2 secrets no?"

Rolling my eyes I agree reductantly.

"You should sharpen up on deal making, never specified the sip size but okay I'll agree this time. It's more of a tip than anything now that I think about it, but it's a certified good tip so no complaining! Number one, be her friend first you dumbass. The girl's still traumatized from the whole cauldron ordeal you're a bull in a china shop if you storm in screaming 'you're my mate'."

I can see Cassian nodding along in the background like the advice was for him and I have to hold back a laugh at him focused look, absolutely fucking adorable!

"Number two she's locked into herself because she can't seem to feel normal, help her go back to little habits like nothing's actually changed in her. Make her feel like she's still herself."

Neither of the men do anything really other than Cassian who's nodding along like I'm speaking wise sage words, it's honestly hilarious to look at.

"So yeah, wonderful deal right? Tell you what, get me something to wear that's not shredded apart and tied back up and I'll spill even more tea!"