Page 32 of Between Two Barbarians

“Jamal, please. Tell me what we did wrong?” I saw him stiffen and grimaced. “What did I do wrong?”

Whipping his head around, he bared his teeth, opening his mouth to say something, then snapped it shut again before he could get the words out. He lifted his chin, a haughty expression overtaking his face, and he gave me a once over before saying the words that felt as though he’d ripped my heart straight through my chest. “I’m not yours. I only wanted a bit of fun. Stop acting like I belong to you. I belong only to myself.”

“Varakai–” Brenek growled, always more quick to anger than I was. Before he could finish his words, the evening music began, the clans that had gathered all cheering for the entertainment.

Jamal shoved to his feet, glaring at me when I reached to steady him when he swayed. “I’m going to dance. My prince, Simon, will you join me?”

Simon and Zakai, who had gone quiet watching us, shared a look of concern between them. It seemed they didn’t understand where Jamal’s behavior change had come from either. That somehow concerned me more.

“Uh, I’m good,” Zakai replied with a frown. “Are you alright–”

Jamal didn’t let Zakai finish, nodding sharply and giving a crooked bow, stumbling on his feet a little. “Then I’ll leave you here. Good night.”

“Jamal,” Brenek called, but before he could get up to chase him, I gripped his forearm and shook his head.

“Don’t. It doesn’t seem like a good idea to chase him now.”

“What happened?” Simon asked, his cup set aside, and his eyes on Jamal as he writhed to the music not far from where we sat. Had it been any other time, I would have been enthralled with his movements. Now, I just felt cold.

“I was going to ask the same of you,” Brenek said accusingly. “He was fine when we left him. What changed?”

They both shook their heads. Either they were too drunk to remember, or they weren’t aware of the change until now. Which made me even more certain the problem was me or Brenek. Or the both of us. The only change that occurred since he was with his friends was our arrival. Something we did upset him.

There was no talking to him when he was this drunk, so I decided to just watch over him instead. Brenek as well, though he’d needed a cup of ale to settle his annoyance first.

As I watched Jamal drink and dance, I noticed little things that would have told me something was wrong even if I hadn’t been aware before. A little furrow between his brows, like he was concentrating. He didn’t have that when he was drinking before. He let himself relax into it, and his expression was always serene or playful while drinking. His movements were also intentionally seductive. It almost looked forced. Like he was trying to make us jealous by garnering the attention of the brothers around him. If he hadn’t been so obviously drunk, it might have worked. None of my clan brothers would take someone so drunk they couldn’t consent properly. To do so would dishonor them.

While I was considering my options on what to do next, I saw Jamal stumble. Both Brenek and I lurched to our feet, pausing when he readjusted and returned to his dancing. But he was getting too close to the fire. Should he stumble again, the result could be–

Like I feared, he stumbled, tripping over his own feet and stumbling straight toward the blazing fire. I moved on instinct, Brenek right beside me. We had to get to him before it was too late.

CHAPTER TWENTY

JAMAL

My head pounded when I woke up. I groaned, moving to clutch it, but the jarring movement made my stomach lurch, and I only had time to turn to my side before I vomited. I would regret that when I needed to clean that up later.

My head swam, and I was too busy coughing and dry heaving to take in my surroundings. I only knew I wasn’t alone when large warm hands carefully moved my hair away from my face, another set rubbing soothingly up and down my back.

They were still here?

I couldn’t remember much of the night prior, I’d drank a lot more than I even would have in the capital, but waking up this hungover, I assumed I’d be alone. Not many companions stayed with me when I was drunk enough to not remember the following morning. Even those who had been kind enough to bring me home didn't stay. They certainly didn’t hold back my hair or try to soothe me while I vomited. They’d only been with me for fun. Why would they stick around for that?

When the heaving stopped and I dropped back onto the bedding with a groan, someone forced me back up again, putting a cup to my lips and encouraging me to drink.

“Just a little, tavi,” Torgrind murmured. “It will help with the pain.”

Blearily, I opened my eyes to look up at Torgrind. His face was blank, a mask of nothingness instead of his usual smile, but he didn’t look angry. Why did the blankness feel worse?

He tipped the cup a little to get me to drink it, and I swallowed down a mouthful of whatever it was, my brows drawing together at the sweet drink.

“What is it?” I croaked as I pulled away. My stomach protested anything being put in it, and I could only take in a little before I worried I would vomit again.

“A tonic from one of the bondmates of the Northern Clan. He was a physician before joining the clans. I asked him for something to give you when you woke up,” Brenek grumbled.

Slowly, since each movement hurt and made my head spin, I turned to look in the direction of his voice. Brenek was as blank as Torgrind was, his expression unreadable even as he rinsed a cloth and scooted closer, rubbing it over my skin. It was cool, and it made me feel a little better than before. My skin felt sweaty and gross, and I wished I felt well enough for a bath. As it was, I knew if I stood now, I would likely vomit again. I didn't wish to do that.

“What happened?”