The sun was dipping low, casting long shadows as Paola, Poca, and Ayla wound through the streets of Windmere. The grand towers of the Arcane Forge still weren’t in sight, and Paola’s patience was wearing thin.
Poca, as usual, was leading the way with unwavering confidence, her mismatched green and purple eyes gleaming with determination as she pointed down yet another street. “Non, non! I swear zis time, I know where we are! It is zat way,” she insisted, waving her hand toward a narrow alley that didn’t look even remotely familiar to Paola.
Paola crossed her arms, arching an eyebrow. “Poca, you said that two streets ago. And before that. And remember last time you said you knew where we were? We ended up in the wrong district.”
Poca huffed, her lips pulling into a pout. “Zat was different! Last time, it was... it was confusing signs! But now I am certain!” She placed a hand dramatically on her chest. “You must trust me, Paola!”
Paola rolled her eyes good-naturedly, though she couldn’t help but smile at Poca’s enthusiasm. “Uh-huh, sure. I’d bet a Gold Square we’re still lost,” she teased, flicking her tail behind her in mild exasperation.
Poca gasped, clutching her chest as though mortally wounded by the accusation. “You ‘ave no faith in me! Ayla!” She whirled around, looking to Ayla for backup. “Tell ‘er zat I know where we are going!”
Ayla, walking a few steps behind, was the picture of calm indifference. Her mismatched red and blue eyes flicked from Paola to Poca, clearly amused by the exchange but offering no support either way. “I’m staying out of this,” Ayla said with a shrug. “But I will say, Poca’s confidence is very convincing.”
Poca grinned triumphantly, while Paola threw her hands up in defeat. “Oh, so now you’re on her side?”
Ayla smirked. “I didn’t say that.”
Paola let out a groan, running a hand through her hair. “Fine, fine. Lead the way, Poca. But if we end up in the wrong place again, you’re buying dinner. And I want something expensive—like a three-course meal. With dessert.”
Poca giggled, skipping ahead a few steps. “Très bien, but I promise, zis time, we are going to get zere before sunset!”
Paola sighed, but her lips curved into a small smile. Despite the confusion, it was hard to stay frustrated with Poca’s infectious energy. Besides, Ayla’s relaxed demeanor helped take the edge off Paola’s lingering anxiety. They would get there eventually… probably.
The streets of Windmere were bustling as always, with merchants closing up their stalls for the day and people of all races wandering in and out of the nearby guilds. As they turned yet another corner, Paola’s eyes lit up with recognition. There, finally, were the grand towers of the Arcane Forge, their polished stone glowing in the fading light of the setting sun.
“Zere!” Poca cried, pointing dramatically as she came to a stop. “What did I tell you? We are ‘ere, just in time!” Her voice was full of pride as she beamed at Paola.
Paola sighed with relief, rolling her eyes but laughing despite herself. “Alright, I’ll give you this one, Poca. You got us here... Finally.”
Ayla glanced at Paola with a knowing smirk. “See? She got us here. Eventually.”
Before Paola could respond, the large doors of the Arcane Forge creaked open, and a tall, lanky woman stepped out. She was strikingly tall, with dark skin that glistened in the fading light and a cascade of tightly coiled black hair falling over her shoulders. Her robes were elegant, deep burgundy trimmed with gold, and she carried herself with an air of authority.
She looked down at the group with calm, assessing eyes, though her expression remained neutral. “Can I help you?” she asked, her voice smooth and measured.
Paola stepped forward, speaking on behalf of the group. “We’re here for a meeting with Master Cainen Draslyn.”
The woman tilted her head slightly, her sharp gaze moving from Paola to Ayla, then to Poca, before she smiled softly. “Ah, you must be the ones he’s been expecting. I’m Tevinya, one of the Jade Tier magists. Master Draslyn is currently occupied, but I’ll let him know you’ve arrived.” She gestured toward a nearby bench. “You’re welcome to wait here. It shouldn’t be long.”
Paola nodded, feeling no rush now that they had finally arrived. “We don’t mind waiting. Thank you.”
Tevinya smiled again before disappearing back inside the towering structure.
As they settled onto the bench, Paola glanced up at the sky. The sun had finally dipped below the horizon, and the first stars were beginning to twinkle overhead. The deep blue of the night sky contrasted beautifully with the glowing magic around the Arcane Forge, creating a sense of calm and anticipation.
After a few quiet moments, the sound of approaching footsteps caught Paola’s attention, and she turned to see Adrian England striding toward them, his autumn-hued robes billowing slightly in the evening breeze. His familiar grin appeared as soon as he spotted the group.
“Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite adventurers,” Adrian said, his voice carrying its usual warmth and humor. “Good to see you again."
Paola’s face lit up when she saw him. “Adrian! Good to see you again.” Ayla nodded in greeting, while Poca waved enthusiastically.
Adrian chuckled, his warm, laid-back demeanor instantly putting them at ease. “Well, you’re just in time. Draslyn’s meeting should be wrapping up soon. I’ll show you to the main hall.”
As they followed Adrian inside, Paola couldn’t help but feel a bit more at ease. He had that calming energy about him that made the whole place feel less intimidating. They made their way through the vast halls, passing magists and apprentices who were deep in study or practicing spells in small courtyards.
When they arrived at the hall, they were greeted by the sight of Yasmin standing at the center of the room, her fiery hair practically glowing in the dim light. She was in the middle of a very animated argument, gesturing wildly with her hands as she spoke to a group of magists who were clearly trying to stay calm in the face of Yasmin’s usual enthusiasm.
“I’m telling you, the way I handled it was justified!” Yasmin exclaimed, her voice carrying across the room. “We were outnumbered, the beasts were closing in, and I did what needed to be done. You can’t tell me I wasn’t right!”
One of the magists, a stern-looking man with graying hair, shook his head. “You leveled half the camp, Yasmin. We’re still trying to assess the damage.”
Yasmin crossed her arms defiantly. “And you’re welcome! If it weren’t for me, those bandits would’ve had time to reinforce and turn the hostages into bargaining chips!”
Just then, Yasmin noticed Paola, Ayla, and Poca entering the room with Adrian, and her face lit up. “Ah! Perfect timing!” she called out, waving them over. “You guys can back me up, right? Tell them how great I was during the caravan mission.”
Paola chuckled, already knowing where this was headed. She glanced at Ayla, who looked equally amused, and then at Poca, who was grinning ear to ear. “Well... I wouldn’t say great is the word I’d use,” Paola teased, walking closer to the group. “But you did save us all from getting turned into hostage material.”
Yasmin huffed, but there was a twinkle in her amber eyes. “Exactly! See? Paola gets it. If it weren’t for my explosive abilities—literally—those bandits would’ve had time to regroup.”
One of the magists, clearly not convinced, sighed. “The amount of collateral damage, Yasmin. We’re still cleaning up.”
Yasmin waved a dismissive hand. “Collateral damage, schollateral damage. It got the job done, didn’t it?”
Poca, ever the optimist, chimed in. “I zink Yasmin ‘as a point. Zose bandits were not expecting an attack zat strong, and we were able to get to ze hostages faster because of it.”
Paola nodded, her tone more serious now. “Yeah, we got to the hostages before things got worse. There were still wounded people who hadn’t been turned into hostages yet, and we found Selene, Edwin, and Leif just in time. They were about to be executed when we arrived.”
Yasmin crossed her arms triumphantly. “See? You all heard Paola. If it weren’t for me, those people would’ve been goners.”
Ayla, who had been watching the exchange quietly, finally spoke up. “Yasmin’s method was... effective, but we can’t ignore the fact that it was risky. One wrong move, and we could’ve lost some of those hostages in the chaos.”
Yasmin grinned, unfazed. “But I didn’t make a wrong move, did I? I had it under control.”
Paola snorted. “Under control? You nearly took out half the pass!”
Yasmin shrugged, clearly proud of herself. “And that’s why we won.”
Adrian, who had been listening with a bemused smile, finally spoke up. “You can’t deny she gets results, though. Explosive results, but results.”
The group shared a laugh, and Paola couldn’t help but feel a sense of camaraderie. Even though Yasmin’s methods were chaotic, they had all made it through the mission in one piece, and that was what mattered.
Just then, Master Draslyn entered the room, his dark eyes surveying the group as he approached. He carried himself with his usual calm authority, and the room quieted as he stepped forward.
“Well, well,” Draslyn said, his voice smooth and commanding. “It seems you all managed to pull off quite the feat in the Sand Pass.”
Yasmin grinned. “Told you.”
Draslyn’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “Yes, Yasmin, your... unique approach was noted. But the mission’s success wasn’t just because of you. Paola, Ayla, Poca—you all played a crucial role.”
He reached into his robe and pulled out a small pouch, tossing it to Paola. She caught it, her eyes widening as she felt the weight of it.
“Your reward,” Draslyn said, his voice carrying a note of satisfaction. “Far greater than you were expecting, I’m sure.”
Paola opened the pouch, and her eyes nearly bulged out of her head as she saw the gleam of several Gold Squares nestled inside. “Whoa, this is... this is a lot,” she stammered, glancing up at Draslyn in shock.
Draslyn’s smile widened slightly. “This was no ordinary mission. With Yasmin involved, it never is. The level of beasts and foes you faced was higher than anticipated, and you handled it well. Consider this your well-earned reward.”
Paola exchanged stunned looks with Ayla and Poca. Ayla’s usual calm demeanor faltered for a moment as she peered into the pouch. “This is more than we’ve ever gotten for a mission.”
Yasmin, clearly pleased, clapped Paola on the back. “See? Told you it was worth it!”
Draslyn gave them a respectful nod. “You’ve earned it. Take the time to rest, recover, and enjoy the rewards of your efforts. And next time, maybe Yasmin will show a little more... restraint.”
Yasmin snorted. “Don’t count on it.”
Master Draslyn stood at the head of the council chamber, his sharp eyes sweeping over the remaining council members. The air was thick with tension, the other magists still grumbling under their breath, clearly displeased with the events of the Sand Pass. Their discontent was evident as they cast disapproving glances toward Yasmin, who stood off to the side with her usual defiant grin, utterly unbothered by the murmured criticisms.
One of the council members, a stern-looking man with silver streaks in his hair, spoke up again, his voice tinged with frustration. “Master Draslyn, with all due respect, we must address the recklessness displayed in this mission. The level of destruction—”
Draslyn raised a hand, his expression calm but commanding. “Enough,” he said firmly, cutting the man off. His eyes swept over the rest of the council, silencing the murmurs. “The mission was successful, and the lives of many were saved. That is the outcome we must focus on.”
He paused, allowing his words to settle, before continuing. “Yasmin’s methods may be... unconventional, but they achieved the desired result. We faced foes stronger than anticipated, including several Jade Tier beast tamers. The reward reflects the danger they overcame.” His gaze turned to Yasmin, who was still beaming with pride. “Rest assured, we will review her methods internally, but now is not the time for berating. Dismissed.”
The council members, though still clearly dissatisfied, knew better than to argue further. One by one, they filed out of the room, their grumbling fading as they left, none daring to push the issue any longer in front of Draslyn. As the last of them departed, Draslyn sighed, rubbing his temples as if warding off an impending headache. He turned back to Paola, Ayla, Poca, and Yasmin with a wry smile.
“Now that that’s over,” he said with a note of dry humor. He glanced back at Yasmin, who was leaning casually against one of the stone pillars, clearly unbothered by the council's irritation. Her fiery red hair seemed to glow in the dim light of the room, and the grin she wore was nothing short of triumphant. Paola stood next to Ayla and Poca, watching the exchange with amusement, knowing that any attempt to admonish Yasmin was likely to fail.
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Draslyn folded his arms, his voice taking on a tone of sternness. “Yasmin, I know you’re proud of your... accomplishments during the mission, but the collateral damage can’t be ignored. Half the camp was leveled, and while it worked in our favor this time, it was reckless.”
Yasmin rolled her eyes but smiled, crossing her arms over her chest. “You say reckless, I say effective. And we did save the caravan, didn’t we? Everyone walked out alive, and we even managed to free the hostages before things got worse. Even recovering the artifact.”
Draslyn shook his head, clearly fighting a losing battle. “I’m not disputing the outcome, but your methods... need work. We can’t afford to raze every enemy camp to the ground.”
Yasmin shrugged. “Sometimes the best defense is a good offense.”
Paola smirked, glancing at Ayla, who raised an eyebrow as if silently agreeing with Draslyn, though she remained quiet. Poca giggled beside them, her hand over her mouth as she watched Yasmin with her usual wide-eyed admiration.
Draslyn finally sighed in resignation, turning his attention away from Yasmin and back to Paola, Ayla, and Poca. “Regardless of how it was handled, I owe you all a great deal of thanks. You didn’t have to help save the caravan, but you did. And because of that, lives were saved. Not just the hostages, but those wounded in the attack as well.”
Paola nodded, feeling a sense of pride at his words. “We couldn’t just leave them there. We had to do something.”
Draslyn’s eyes softened as he gave them a grateful nod. “I respect that. And it’s not often we see people willing to help without expecting anything in return. Your reward reflects the magnitude of what you accomplished, but know that your actions went beyond gold. You’ve earned the respect of the Arcane Forge.”
Paola smiled faintly, feeling a warmth in her chest at the acknowledgment. She’d never really cared much for recognition, but it was nice to hear it all the same. Ayla inclined her head respectfully, while Poca grinned from ear to ear, clearly pleased by the praise.
After a brief moment of silence, Draslyn seemed to consider something, his gaze turning thoughtful. “So, what’s next for you all? Are you heading back to Valarian?”
Paola nodded. “Yeah, we’ll be heading back to Valarian in the morning. It’s been a long journey, and we’ve got things to take care of back there.”
Draslyn’s eyes brightened with an idea, and he offered, “In that case, allow me to extend the use of the guild’s portal. It’ll teleport you just outside of Valarian, save you the long trip back.”
Yasmin’s face lit up with excitement at the suggestion. “Oh, yes! You should take it! You can come with me—I’ll be using the portal tomorrow morning as well.”
Paola almost winced at the idea, remembering the last time she and Yasmin had spent time together. Her mind drifted to that night when they’d danced, the memory of Yasmin’s energy and intensity flashing before her. She quickly shook the thought away, feeling a strange mixture of nostalgia and amusement. Yasmin was… well, Yasmin, and while her explosive nature had been overwhelming at first, Paola found herself less bothered by it now.
“We can go together!” Yasmin continued, her grin wide. “It’ll be fun. I’ll make sure we get there in one piece. Promise.”
Paola hesitated, glancing at Ayla and Poca, who both seemed amused by Yasmin’s enthusiasm. Then, with a resigned smile, she nodded. “Alright, we’ll meet you in the morning. But you have to come get us and lead us to the Arcane Forge. I don’t want to get lost again, and we all know how great I am with directions.”
Yasmin snorted, clearly enjoying the tease. “Fine, fine. I’ll play guide tomorrow. You won’t regret it.”
Draslyn watched the exchange with an amused glint in his eyes. “Then it’s settled. You’ll leave in the morning, and Yasmin will make sure you get to Valarian without incident.” He turned back to Paola, Ayla, and Poca, his tone sincere. “Thank you again, for everything. And safe travels to Valarian.”
The group nodded in thanks as the meeting came to an end. As they stepped out into the cool night air, Paola felt a wave of relief wash over her. The stars had already begun to twinkle in the sky above, and the city of Windmere was bathed in the soft glow of twilight.
Paola stretched, feeling the tension of the day leave her body. “Well, that went better than expected,” she said with a chuckle, her tail flicking lazily behind her.
Poca bounced ahead, her eyes sparkling. “Oui! And now we ‘ave a portal to Valarian! Zat means no more long walks and no more bandits to fight on ze way home.”
Ayla chuckled softly. “I’d say that’s a good deal.”
Paola glanced between the two women, her heart feeling lighter than it had in days. “Before we head back to the inn, how about we grab some dinner? I’m starving, and after today, I think we’ve earned a good meal.”
Ayla nodded in agreement. “Sounds like a plan.”
Poca’s eyes lit up. “Oh, oui! Dinner sounds perfect. I know just ze place!” She clapped her hands excitedly. “Zere’s zis little tavern not far from ‘ere—I 'ear ‘as ze best food!”
Paola raised an eyebrow, amused. “Let me guess, you ‘know the way,’ right?”
Poca puffed out her chest dramatically. “Bien sûr! I always know ze way!”
Paola laughed, shaking her head. “Alright, lead on, Poca. But if we get lost, you’re still buying dinner.”
The three of them wandered through the streets of Windmere, the cool breeze carrying the scent of spices and roasted meats from the various taverns and food stalls lining the streets. The city was alive with evening activity—magists mingling with merchants, travelers sharing stories over mugs of ale, and street performers entertaining small crowds with feats of magic and skill.
As they walked, Paola found herself thinking back to her time with Selene at the Cathedral earlier. She had spent the afternoon with Selene after they had left the Arcane Forge, reconnecting and reflecting on everything that had happened. Selene had changed so much, and Paola had seen a softer side of the demon woman—a side that was trying to atone for her past. They had shared a quiet moment before Paola had left to meet up with Carter and Oso, who were waiting outside the city.
Paola chuckled at the memory. “You know, after my time with Selene at the Cathedral, I ended up hanging out with Carter and Oso outside the city. Carter was being his usual creepy self, and Oso almost caused a riot with some of the locals.”
Ayla smirked, glancing at Paola. “I’m not surprised. Oso’s chaos seems to rub off on everyone around him.”
Poca giggled. “I zink Carter and Oso make a good team. Zey keep each other in line, no?”
Paola shrugged, her smile widening. “In their own weird way, yeah. I guess they do.”
They continued down the cobblestone streets, following Poca’s enthusiastic lead. Paola watched the stars above them, feeling a sense of calm settle over her. The night air was cool, the sky clear, and for once, there was no immediate danger on the horizon. It felt good to just... be. To walk with Ayla and Poca, to laugh and joke, to be together after all the chaos they had faced in recent days.
Finally, they arrived at the tavern Poca had mentioned—a cozy little place with warm light spilling from the windows and the sound of laughter and clinking mugs filling the air. The sign above the door read The Starlit Mare, and the scent of roasting meat and freshly baked bread made Paola’s stomach growl in anticipation.
Poca grinned triumphantly. “See? I told you I knew ze way!”
Paola laughed, pushing open the door. “Alright, I’ll give you that one.”
They stepped inside, greeted by the warmth of the fire and the inviting smell of the food. The tavern was bustling, but they managed to find a table near the back, away from the loudest of the crowd. As they settled in, a friendly-looking waitress came by to take their order.
“I’ll have whatever special you’ve got tonight,” Paola said, her mouth already watering at the thought of a hot meal.
Ayla and Poca placed their orders as well, and soon enough, the table was filled with steaming plates of food—roasted meat stew, other varieties of meats, vegetables, fresh bread, and pitchers of ale.
Paola took a deep breath, savoring the moment. She looked across the table at Ayla, who was quietly enjoying her meal, and then at Poca, who was chatting excitedly about their upcoming trip through the portal. For the first time in what felt like weeks, Paola felt truly at ease.
“So,” Paola said between bites, “what do you think tomorrow’s going to be like? Traveling with Yasmin through a portal sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.”
Ayla smirked, sipping her ale. “It’ll be interesting, that’s for sure.”
Poca grinned. “I zink it will be fun! Yasmin is always full of surprises.”
Paola rolled her eyes but smiled. “Yeah, surprises like explosions. I’m just hoping we don’t end up halfway across the continent.”
The cozy warmth of The Starlit Mare surrounded Paola, Ayla, and Poca as they tucked into their dinner, the laughter and clinking of mugs filling the air around them. The scent of roasted meats and freshly baked bread made Paola’s mouth water, and she was already digging into her plate—a hearty stew of braised beef, carrots, and thick gravy that soaked into the warm, crusty bread on the side. Poca had ordered a plate of roasted chicken with rosemary and garlic, the skin crispy and golden, while Ayla opted for a simple but delicious steak, cooked to perfection with a side of roasted potatoes and herbs. The flavors were rich and comforting, the kind of meal that made you forget about the battles and chaos for a while.
Paola leaned back in her chair, taking a long drink from her mug of ale, the cool, bitter flavor mixing with the warmth of the meal. She caught Ayla’s eye and couldn’t resist a playful smirk. “So, who would’ve thought Poca would get all emotional over delivering Abraham to his aunt, huh?”
Ayla raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching into a smile as she glanced at Poca, who was happily tearing into her chicken. “Yeah, for someone who was so quiet the whole trip, Abraham sure left an impression on someone.”
Poca, mid-bite, gasped dramatically, putting her fork down and placing a hand over her heart. “Mais non! You don’t understand! He was so sweet!” she exclaimed, her thick accent making the words even more melodramatic. “Ze poor boy, all alone, after everything he went through... How could you not feel for him?”
Paola snorted, grinning. “He barely said two words the whole time, Poca. If anything, he was more like a little ghost following us around.”
Ayla chuckled. “I think he said more to Oso than to any of us.”
Poca pouted, her mismatched eyes narrowing playfully at her two girlfriends. “You two are terrible! Zat boy was shy, and zat is okay! He just needed time to warm up, and now he is back with his family. I feel good about zat.”
Paola leaned forward, her golden-flecked brown eyes gleaming with mischief. “You were practically crying when we handed him off to his aunt! I’ve never seen you so emotional.”
Poca crossed her arms, sticking her nose up in mock indignation. “Zat is because I care, Paola. Something you might not understand, since you were too busy chasing after Ayla and her new armor.”
Ayla, who had been sipping her ale, nearly choked, her cheeks flushing at the sudden attention. “Hey, don’t drag me into this! I just wanted proper protection, unlike someone who runs around in nothing but a cloak,” she shot back, giving Paola a pointed look.
Paola grinned, unfazed by the jab. “Sorry for not wanting to be weighed down by all that armor. But you were so cute when you blushed, showing it off.” She gave Ayla a teasing look, her tail flicking playfully behind her.
Ayla’s blush deepened as she tried to defend herself. “I wasn’t blushing, I was just—”
“You totally were!” Paola interrupted with a laugh. “You looked like a flustered little kitten when I saw you all decked out, and you knew it.”
Poca clapped her hands, eyes wide with excitement. “Oh, oui, I remember! Ayla was standing all stiff, trying to act all serious, but ‘er face was as red as a tomato!”
Ayla groaned, rubbing her temples. “I was not—”
“And speaking of blushing,” Poca cut in, turning her attention to Paola with a wicked grin, “we all saw you dancing around ze tavern the other night with Yasmin, nearly naked!”
Paola blinked, her ears flattening slightly as her own cheeks turned pink. “Hey, that was—okay, maybe that did happen... but it was a fun night! And besides, it’s not my fault the tavern got so hot!”
Ayla chuckled, raising an eyebrow. “Right, and it had nothing to do with the amount of ale you drank.”
Paola narrowed her eyes at Ayla but couldn’t help the smirk pulling at her lips. “Okay, maybe the ale had something to do with it.”
Poca leaned in, her grin turning devious. “You know what ale does to you, Paola... You get all... excited.” She waggled her eyebrows playfully, causing Paola to sputter in response.
“I—what?!” Paola stammered, her mind flashing back to the night before, when they had all curled up in bed together, and, well... let’s just say the ale had certainly helped set the mood. Her mind began to wander back to that moment, the memory of Ayla’s soft skin and Poca’s gentle touch flooding her senses. Her tail flicked with anticipation, and her golden eyes glanced between her girlfriends. Just thinking about last night had her heart racing.
But before she could get too lost in the memory, Poca poked her side, snapping her out of it. “Paola! You’re drifting off into zat dreamy look again. Thinking about last night, non?” she teased, her mismatched eyes twinkling with mischief.
Paola’s face flushed an even deeper shade of red, and she quickly took a sip of her ale to hide her embarrassment. “You’re the one doing this to me, Poca,” she muttered, though she couldn’t stop the smile spreading across her face.
Ayla, watching the exchange with amusement, leaned back in her chair. “You know, Paola, you’re not the only one who can get all flustered. I seem to recall a certain someone getting pretty cozy with Yasmin during that dance...”
Paola groaned, burying her face in her hands. “I am never living that down, am I?”
Poca giggled, patting Paola on the back. “Non, I’m afraid not. It was too cute!”
Ayla smirked, taking another bite of her steak. “Cute, huh? I think Paola looked more... enthusiastic than anything.”
Before Paola could respond, Poca chimed in again, clearly enjoying herself. “Speaking of enthusiasm, I still zink zat Carter’s grin is perfect! You two are just mean about it.”
Paola and Ayla exchanged a glance before both of them burst into laughter.
“Perfect?!” Paola exclaimed, shaking her head. “Poca, his grin is way too big! It’s creepy as hell!”
Ayla nodded in agreement, her blue and red eyes gleaming with amusement. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure everyone else agrees with us. That grin is unsettling.”
Poca crossed her arms and pouted. “You two ‘ave no taste. Carter’s grin is... endearing!”
Paola raised an eyebrow. “Endearing? Poca, it looks like his face is going to crack in half with that smile.”
Poca gasped, clearly scandalized by the remark. “Non! You are exaggerating. He is perfectly fine, and everyone else zinks so too.”
Paola snorted, shaking her head. “I highly doubt that.” Though she gave Poca a playful smile.
Ayla chuckled, leaning over to nudge Paola. “It’s okay. We’ll let Poca have her strange taste in creepy puppets.”
Poca rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the grin spreading across her face. “You two are hopeless. Carter is adorable, and I will defend him!”
The playful banter continued as they worked their way through their meal. The flavors of the food were rich and comforting—Paola’s stew was savory and filling, the meat tender and the gravy perfectly seasoned. Ayla’s steak was cooked just right, and the roasted potatoes added the perfect touch of crispness. Poca’s chicken was bursting with flavor, the garlic and rosemary blending together beautifully.
The ale flowed freely, the cool bitterness providing the perfect counterpoint to the hearty meal. Paola found herself drinking more than she probably should have, but the warmth of the evening and the company of her girlfriends made it hard to care. Each sip seemed to fuel her growing excitement, her golden eyes lingering on Ayla and Poca with a familiar heat.
The conversation flowed effortlessly, filled with laughter, teasing, and fond memories of their journey. The tavern around them buzzed with life, but to Paola, it felt like the world had narrowed to just the three of them—her found family, her loves.
As the meal came to an end, Paola’s thoughts began to drift again, her mind wandering back to the warmth of their bed, to the soft touches and shared whispers of last night. She could already feel the pull, the desire to get back to the inn, where they could be together again, away from the world.
Poca, ever perceptive, caught the look in Paola’s eyes and grinned. “You’re doing it again, ma chérie!” she teased, leaning in close. “Zinking about getting back to ze inn, non?”
Paola’s face flushed, and she quickly downed the rest of her ale to avoid answering.
Ayla, noticing the shift in Paola’s demeanor, smirked. “It’s the ale,” she said with a chuckle. “Always gets her in this mood.”
Paola groaned, though she couldn’t help but smile. “Alright, alright. You caught me.”
Poca laughed, clapping her hands. “Well, zen, let’s not waste any more time! I am ready to go back too.”
Ayla nodded, her eyes glinting with affection as she looked at Paola. “Let’s head back. We’ve got an early morning ahead of us, but I think we can spare a little time to... relax.”
The three of them gathered their things, leaving a generous tip for the waitress before making their way out of the tavern. The night air was cool against their skin as they stepped out onto the cobblestone streets, the stars twinkling brightly overhead. Paola breathed in deeply, feeling the anticipation build as they made their way back to the inn.
Their laughter echoed through the quiet streets, the warmth of the evening lingering between them. Paola found herself walking between Ayla and Poca, their hands occasionally brushing against hers as they moved in sync, their connection palpable. She glanced over at Ayla, her heart swelling with affection, and then at Poca, who was chattering excitedly about their journey the next morning.
As they approached the inn, Paola’s thoughts drifted again to the night ahead, to the softness of their bed, and the comfort of being wrapped up in the warmth of her two loves.