“Aurora.” Allecto taps the spot between my eyebrows. “Three times this week.”
“Three extra practices for three karaoke songs.”
She sighs, but she’s still smiling. “You drive a hard bargain.”
“I learned from the best.”
“Yeah, I guess you did.” She shakes her head. “You have yourself a deal.”
I’ll regret it when she’s sending me flying across the mat, but right now it makes me happy. Allecto doesn’t let down her guard often, so when she does, it’s a really treat. Tonight is going to be so much fun.
It starts with a round of shots. And then another. I’m delighted to find out that Jasmine is a bit of a lightweight, and that she’s rather bratty when she’s not guarding her words. She and Tink verbally spar while Allecto croons out one of my favorite karaoke songs of all time.
Meg throws an arm around my shoulder and gives me a squeeze. “You were right. We all needed this tonight. And it was a good idea to invite Jasmine along.”
I give her a long look, trying not to grin. “Are you drunk?” Meg never drinks enough to get drunk. Or if she does, I’ve only seen it once or twice in nearly ten years. Tonight’s special, indeed.
“Of course not. How gauche.” She laughs. “I’m simply enjoying myself.”
The bar’s lights flicker on, signaling last call. I groan, and then groan some more when the door opens up and Hercules, Hook, and Jafar stride into the bar. They must have been waiting in a line outside, which strikes me as particularly hilarious. All those big, brawny men waiting to give their women the maximum time for fun before they come collect them. I’m not even sure those three like each other, but they move almost as a unit, dividing and zeroing in on their partners.
Jafar scoops up Jasmine and gives her a downright indulgent smile. “Have fun?”
“Yes.” She grins at him. “Let’s fuck in the car.”
“Let’s see how you feel in a few minutes.” He turns without another word and heads out the door.
Hook doesn’t pick up Tink, but he does slide an arm around her waist and steer her for the door. He shoots a happy smile over his shoulder at us. “Looks like you all had a good time.”
“The best time!” I realize I’m shouting and clamp my hand over my mouth.
Meg’s laughter cuts off when Hercules hauls her off her feet. He winks at me and then they’re gone, following Hook and Tink out the door.
Allecto ambles up. As always, it doesn’t matter how many shots she takes, she never gets sloppy. The only indication that she’s feeling the alcohol is how easy she grins at me. “Singles last.”
“Don’t remind me.” It just slips out. I frown at my feet. They really hurt. These heels look great, but they definitely aren’t for dancing. “Not that I care. I like being single.”
“Uh huh, Aurora. Sure you do.” She loops an arm around my shoulders and steers us for the door.
The walk back to the Underworld seems to take forever, the street stretching like taffy beneath my feet. I blink. “Shit, I’m drunk.”
“I know.” She laughs, the bitch.
“I hate you.”
“No you don’t.” Another of those laughs. “But you will tomorrow.”
Right. The sparring. Damn it, I really don’t want to do it. No matter how good I get, I’ll never be on Allecto’s level, and she barely pulls her punches. Something about it not providing a real enough experience to cut down on my reaction time. It made more sense when I didn’t have alcohol flowing through my veins, giving everything a warm, fuzzy feel. “Maybe we should fuck.”
Allecto snorts. “Yeah, no.”
“Why not?”
“One, you’re drunk as a skunk. Two, we’re friends, and while you fuck your friends, I don’t.” She gives my shoulders a squeeze. “You’re just feeling lonely after watching everyone couple up. Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Stop telling me my life.”
“Then stop hitting on me just because I’m a warm body.”
I open my mouth and my brain finally catches up to my tongue. “I hit on you because you’re hot.”
“I’m hot and I always tell you no.”
That surprises a laugh out of me. We’re almost back to the Underworld, back to something resembling reality. “I’ll stop, I promise. Sorry.”
“Nah, it’s all good.” She shoulders open the door and tows me through it. “You’re cute when you’re all drunk and flirty. It’s endearing. Like a puppy.”
“Ouch.” I press my hands to my chest and weave my way to the elevators. “A shot to the heart.”
“Something tells me you’ll survive it.” She follows me into the elevator, still grinning. “Let’s get you back to your room before you face-plant and I have to explain to Hades how I let his precious Aurora break her pretty nose.”
“Eh.” I wave that away. “He won’t care.”
“Sure he won’t. Because Hades definitely doesn’t get overprotective and growly when it comes to you.” I don’t know what my expression is doing, but she bursts out laughing. “Like I said.”
I am too focused on putting one foot in front of the other to respond until we reach my door and Allecto keys it open. I slump against the doorframe. “Hey, Allecto.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m really glad we’re friends. Like… really glad. You’re pretty awesome.”
Her grin softens. “You’re pretty awesome yourself, Aurora. Now get your ass to bed and don’t be late tomorrow. If I have to come looking for you, I’ll haul your ass into a cold shower and then you won’t be glad we’re friends.”
I gasp, but I can’t keep my mock outrage. I’m still laughing as I shut the door and stumble my way to bed. It doesn’t matter that I’m single. I like being single. I’ll even remember that tomorrow, once the alcohol has faded out of my system. I’ll remember that I’m not actually lonely. I’ll remember that I have purpose. I’ll remember that I’m really, really happy.
Tomorrow.
Yeah, I’ll remember all that tomorrow.
This short originally appeared as the July 2020 short for my Patreon. Each month, patrons nominate their favorite couples and characters, vote on one, and I write a brand new short featuring the winner. For more bonus stories, please consider joining my Patreon.
14
Honey, We’re Home
Zurielle
“You’ve done well, Zuri.”
I smile at Ursa. In the months since my auction, since I fell in love with Ursa and Alaric for real, she’s slowly started bringing me along when she goes to meetings and walking me through the backside of her operations. Ursa runs a tight ship. But then, do I expect anything different?
I lean my head on her shoulder as the car cuts through Carver City, heading back to her penthouse. “Thank you.”
She takes my hand and traces the lines in my palms with a single nail. “There’s nothing to thank me for.”