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“Must be my lucky day then. . .” I murmured as sleep came upon me.
I didn’t know anything until I awoke on the bed. The setting sun outside told me several hours had passed. I sat up and rubbed the few lingering bits of weariness from my eyes. A few faint voices floated from downstairs and my stomach grumbled, reminding me that I hadn’t been able to partake of any food since breakfast.
I shuffled out of the room and downstairs where I found the table being set by Sofia. She smiled at me as I entered the room. “Good evening.”
“Evening,” I muttered as I set a hand on the table. “Any way I can help?”
She paused and her eyes fell to my hand. “I believe that wouldn’t be such a good idea. You don’t seem to have all your balance back yet.”
“Sure I-” I removed my hand and swayed a little.
A pair of strong hands wrapped around my waist, and I twisted my head around to find myself staring up into Ben’s grinning face. “Good evening.”
“So I’ve heard,” I quipped as I leaned back against his chest. My eyes focused on the table where Sofia had set nine plates. “Who else is coming?”
My question was answered when the front door flew open. The trio of thunder drivers staggered into the hall and Mouse fell against the dining room door frame. The man was covered in lipstick and he had a ringlet made of metal parts over his neck. He gave us a goofy grin and a wave. “Good evening!”
Chase and Grant made their appearances, and they were less tipsy than their compatriot. They, too, sported the same new piece of jewelry, along with impressive rings on their fingers. The pair also held four bottles of drink by their long necks.
“What are you gentlemen doing back before the dawn?” Ben wondered.
Grant raised his hands to show off the bottles. “We didn’t want to leave you out of all the fun.”
“You guys deserve it as much as anyone,” Chase agreed.
“But wasn’t that fantastic?” Mouse called out as he collapsed into a chair. “My driving won the day for us!”
Grant eased himself into another seat and nodded at me. “You have Millie to thank, too. Her magic line is what kept you from burning up like the others.”
Mouse blinked at him. “What magic line?”
“Didn’t you see it along the edge of the track?” Chase questioned him as he leaned one arm on the top of Mouse’s chair.
“Is that what it was?” Mouse wondered as he set his heavy necklace on the table. “I thought it was some fancy new light for the course.”
Grant rolled his eyes. “Gods give me strength. . .”
“You’re welcome to join us,” Sofia invited them as she drew out the chairs for all of us.
Chase counted the plates and frowned. “You were expecting us?”
Sofia’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she pushed his chair in. “Let us just say that I expected friends to arrive and share our joy. If you’ll excuse me, I need to help Hannah in the kitchen.” And with that, she slipped into the kitchen.
Grant watched her leave with a curious look in his eyes. “There’s something funny about that one.”
Ben chuckled as he helped me into my seat and took up his place at the head of the table. “So my father often said, but shall we make merry?”
“One moment,” Grant pleaded as he rummaged through his pocket before he brought out a purse. He plopped the purse on the table and there was a heavy chink of coin. “Some of this is for you.”
Ben shook his head. “I have no need of it, but I would like to know why the amount was doubled.”
“Oh, that’s easy,” Mouse spoke up between hiccups. “The emperor whispered to me that he thought courage deserved a reward.”
Ben leaned back in his seat and rubbed his chin in his hand. “Then he knew something had happened. . .”
My heart skipped a beat. “Is that bad?”
Ben dropped his hand onto the arm and shook his head. “I’m not sure, but we should keep a low profile for a while.”
