Jaspen

I followed the group down to a tavern. We all sat in a booth, which made me sit beside Sebastian since Sasha sat beside her friend and the collected boy I suspected to be Eve's boyfriend.

Eve and Sasha talked excitedly leaving the three of us to just sit there awkwardly for most of the night drinking. The mead here was different. It was smoother and tasted of herbs I had never encountered.

"So who's the brooding one in the corner?" asked Eve. I looked up from my drink.

"Jaspen, Prince Jaspen of the Shemesh tribe," I said evenly.

Something about the half angel infuriated every ounce of me. Her eyes fluttered wide and her betrothed straightened.

"Why didn't you tell us we were entertaining royalty, Sasha?" she asked.

That was the second time I had heard Thorn called that tonight.

Thorn looked down. "He just laid this on my lap today. I forgot."

"You forgot your friend was royalty? Are you daft?"

Sebastian growled low in his throat, making Eve look at him worriedly.

"She isn't daft! Frankly, if anyone is, it's the half demon, not my she wolf."

His? He was a protective one wasn't he? Wait! Did he just call me foolish?

"Don't fret," I said, feigning a smile at the half angel. "My title holds as much weight as this tankard, which isn't much."

I held up my tankard for good measure. I was starting to feel lightheaded. I forgot how little it took for me to get drunk.

I stood. "If you all don't mind, I'm going to retire for the night."

Thorn looked over at me worriedly.

"Sebastian, will you take him back with you? I doubt he can find his way by himself."

I heard Sebastian mumble something, but he stood.

"Of course, Thorn. I guess I'll see all three of you back at the shack momentarily?"

Thorn nodded and soon I barely remembered the walk back to the shack.

"You really know how to make a mess of things, Prince," he said helping me get comfortable on the floor.

"Aye. It is a habit of mine."

He growled. "Don't get too friendly with my she wolf."

The words swam in my head and I nodded. He was an overprotective one wasn't he? Before I could say any more, I fell asleep.

****

I awoke in the morning to find myself the only one who wasn't asleep next to someone. Yet again, I felt more alone than I had back in my tribe and I sighed as I rose. My head swam and I walked outside to get some fresh air. My steps were forced and staggered. How could I so easily forget the tolerance I had for drinking?

I was glad to see there was a horse water trough close so I stumbled to it and splashed the cool water on my face.

"What are you doing?" came Thorn's voice.

I remembered her being called something else last night something more fitting and beautiful for a girl like her.

I dragged my gaze to her. The sunlight hurt my eyes.

"Jaspen?"

"I can't hold my mead," I grumbled.

I think I heard her laugh. I felt her gingerly touch my shoulder.

��Come back to my shack," she said.

"Sasha?" I asked.

She cringed. "Aye?"

I touched her chin, smiling at her. "Why are you ashamed and why keep such a beautiful name hidden?"

I didn't miss the flush across her cheeks.

"Thorn is more fitting," she said quietly.

"No, I think a rose is," I said.

She shot me a glare that seemed to impale me like an arrow.

"You don't know me, Prince Jaspen," she said through gritted teeth.

She let go of my hand.

"You'd do well to remember that."

She was a cheeky she wolf wasn't she? How did Sebastian and she refrain from killing each other on a daily basis? Perhaps they were soul mates after all.

"As you wish, Sasha," I whispered.

"Thorn," she corrected.

I stumbled behind her.

"Stubborn is more like it," I growled.

She didn't say anything and we walked at a slow pace the few feet to her hut. As we went back in, Sebastian sat up and glared at me. I gave him a timid smile feigning innocence, as I lay back down on the floor.

"You okay, Thorn?" he whispered.

"Yes," she growled, sitting down beside him on thecot.

He lay down and she curled up against him. How could she stand being coddled so much? She seemed like such a free spirit not one easily tamed, yet she bowed to this half dragon with ease. I sighed. Women were not my specialty.