Page 69 of Her Silent Knight

Chapter Eighteen

HE NEEDED A DRINK!

Kaede entered Santiago’s Bar. The only bar in the compound. And it was more of a hut. But it got the job done and provided a place for the villagers and those who lived in the compound to hang out.

Kaede wasn’t interested in hanging out. Right now, he needed something to take his mind off her. He needed something strong. Stronger than her scent. Stronger than her taste. Stronger than these feelings he was developing for her.

Since nothing like that existed on this plane or any other plane of existence, he’d settle for some of Santiago’s moonshine. He pulled out a chair at one of the single chair tables and sat down.

“Drinking alone as usual,” San said to him when he approached the table with a cup in his hand.

“Moonshine?” Kaede asked.

“With the scowl you had on your face, I figured you needed it.” San sat the drink on the table. “It’s good to finally hear your voice, friend.”

Kaede nodded then picked up the cup and took a huge sip. The shine burned the back of his throat. He welcomed the feeling. Anything to try and mask the feeling of rejection he was currently experiencing.

“Sil brought me some berries a few months ago. I took the wine from the cellar yesterday. It’s fermented and ready to serve. I thought I was going to get to bring it out for you to celebrate you finding your mate and your voice and all.”

“Word travels fast.” Kaede took another sip and swallowed. “I guess you also heard she was my target.”

“Yeah. Which is why we’re drinking moonshine today and wine another day.”

“I’m not sure if I’ll make it to the wine stage.”

“You will. I’ll be right back. I’ve got some synthetic O-Pos to serve.”

Vampires! San nodded to the corner of the room. Kaede glanced over his shoulder to find Rhen and his crew seated at a table.

“Hi, fellow day drinker,” Rhen shouted with his cup raised in salute.

“You two have a truce, right?” San asked. “I just made these new tables.”

“I’m not in the mood to fight,” Kaede replied, facing forward in his seat and ignoring Rhen.

“Good.” San patted him on the shoulder. “Raise your hand when you want another drink.”

Kaede nodded. Santiago walked away, leaving Kaede alone with his thoughts. The second he was alone, his thoughts returned to the female in his bed. The female whose body wanted him, but heart rejected him.

She constantly smells of arousal yet she rejects us, his beast complained.

Kaede didn’t have a response for his dragon. He was new to this. Having never been in a relationship, he didn’t know if this was common or not. He’d seen others woo ladies they liked.

Sometimes the woman returned the guy’s affection. Sometimes she didn’t. If she didn’t, the guy moved on. Kaede couldn’t move on. His treasure wasn’t some random woman he was interested in.

She already belonged to him. The Fates deemed it so. Yet, she refused to recognize the union. And even though her heart seemed to not want him, her body was screaming his name. And he wanted to answer it.

He wanted to answer it so fucking bad. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d wanted something, anything, this badly. Kaede grabbed his cup and drained the rest of the moonshine then raised his hand, signaling he wanted more.

“Coming up, K,” Santiago called out.

“I’ll take it to him,” Rhen shouted. “You guys stay here. I’m going to go see what’s bothering our dragon friend.”

Kaede closed his eyes and prayed for patience. He’d told San he wasn’t in the fighting mood. That was slowly changing. A chair scraped against the floor. Kaede opened his eyes to find Rhen seated across from him.

“Vamp speed.” Rhen grinned and sat two cups on the table then scooted the one with the clear beverage across to Kaede.

Kaede grabbed the cup and took a huge sip.