Wild Magic Two: The Dark of the Sun- a M/M shifter fantasy romance

7- Hungover

*****hello, hello :):) Just a little fun tidbit of randomness: I discovered Cain and Riece's theme song. Love it so much, and there's just something about it that reminds me of them. So listen to Lovely by Khalid and Billie Eilish and you're welcome for that bit of ear candy*****

RIECE—

I woke to the worst hangover I had experienced in a long time, my body freezing from lack of blankets in the cold dawn air, and my mind flashing with horrible memories. Because of course the wine couldn't erase my embarrassing actions and even more humiliating confession the night before. And to the man who hated me so much he warned me away from his friend who he clearly had feelings for.

It took three cleanings to get my mouth to not taste like I ate a dead, rotting animal, and a 30-minute bath before my body stopped shaking enough I could stand and dress. By the time I was decent, although still flinching at every noise and light and movement, it was time for breakfast in Lhiam's rooms. He had invited me and a few others to a post-wedding breakfast in the dining room in his and Edon's personal suite, and I was almost late.

I stepped into the rooms, closing my eyes involuntarily against the bright light from the many open windows around the chambers. At a table set to the side of the room sat Princess Lacy, Lhiam's advisor and Captain of the Guard Tate, and a few other men I had met over the last few days. Nibley and Dasan, close to both Lhiam and Edon, Robert, one of the castle guards, Lhiam and Edon, and Cain. Although Cain actually stood to the side, his stance stiff, staring out at the forest beyond the keep through the open window.

Although all of the laughter and conversation stopped when I entered the room, I could tell before I did that Edon was being treated to a merciless teasing. The small man's entire face and neck were blood red, he was biting his lip, and his eyes danced with mortification and amusement.

"Riece! Welcome!" Lhiam called, the only one comfortable enough with me to speak to me. At his greeting, Cain's entire body, at attention before, stiffened and jerked, his fists clenching, his jaw so tight I could see, with the view I had of his profile, the veins and tendons all but popping at the force exerted.

"I hear you quite enjoyed yourself last night. Maybe a little too much!" Lhiam finished with a laugh, standing to clap his hand on my shoulder. I laughed, falling into my usual ruse— carefree and looking for a laugh.

"I did. Your wine is— hmm," I moaned, rolling my eyes up as if in sexual ecstasy, and Lhiam laughed and scoffed.

"Yes, you nearly drank an entire year by yourself, you selfish asshole."

Alone, I wanted to cry in answer. Yes, I drank it all alone. Completely surrounded, but alone. Always. Forever.

Instead, I laughed. Just as he expected me to. I shrugged, as if sheepish, and then winked at Edon, who still seemed almost confused by me. Unsure how to act.

Without my say so, my eyes flickered to Cain, who was still as stiff as he had been, but who was now watching me, his eyes bright with searching. As if he had somehow seen the words my mind had screamed. Had wanted my mouth to scream.

"But I hope I wasn't the only one who enjoyed myself last night?" I prodded as Lhiam led me to a seat beside him. "It was your wedding night, after all. Hopefully you didn't sleep until dawn, dear Edon. If even then, if Lhiam's doing things right."

Edon choked on the bite he had just put into his mouth and Lhiam chuckled, his hand rubbing against the smaller's man's back.

And I was not envious of that small touch. That little bit of affection so freely and openly shared.

I wasn't.

"Stop it, Riece," Lhiam said semi-sternly. "He's not yet used to... you."

I flinched inwardly at the words— Lhiam was possibly my closest friend, and not even he could see past the outer mask I showed to the world most of the time— but forced a flirtatious smile and met Edon's eyes.

"I apologize, your highness. I'm rather hungover, so you must, of course, excuse anything I may say in this state."

"Oh!" Edon exclaimed quietly, and I began to wonder if the man ever talked louder than a whisper. "I was a little, too, when I first woke. Cain had a sort of tea remedy— I feel better already. Cain, could you—"

"— I ran out of the herbs with yours, your highness," Cain grumbled, before turning on his heel and bowing. "If you'll excuse me, breakfast was delicious, but I have to get to work."

"You're not scheduled to wo—" Robert began, only to be glared down by Cain. The big man bowed again, then he was gone, leaving a deep, empty silence in his wake.

And a heavy, empty, clenching pain in my chest as all eyes fell on me.

"Gods that man is walking, talking sex," I drawled, forcing a choked laugh from Edon and a genuine one from Lhiam. But Lhiam's eyes stayed studying me, even as an awkward conversation started between Dasan and Robert regarding some groups of mercenaries that had passed through the area recently.