Page 70 of Hearts Lost

I don’t want to throw that all away and drink myself to death in the World’s End. I don’t even like the World’s End. Hells, I don’t even like taking shots. What the fuck am I doing out here?

The answer rises through my throbbing brain with all the cold clarity of a sword sliding out of its sheath.

I’m a coward. Voids, Orryen was right. I decided it was easier to face the Outer Ring than to have occasional awkward interactions with a beautiful woman I’d once cared about. Dying of alcohol poisoning in the snow, apparently, is easier than talking. Death is easier than dishonor.

But since when did I ever take the easy way out? My lip curls into a sneer, and I set down my mug. It makes a hollow thud against the table.

“I cannot believe I’m getting relationship advice from the Evenworth brothers,” I growl.

Rowan and Phaedron give me almost identical grins. I cannot believe I’m about to take relationship advice from the Evenworth brothers.

“Oh, one more thing,” Rowan adds.

I raise an eyebrow.

“I know I’m the last person to talk,” Rowan says. “But, seriously. Take a bath.”

“Go to hell,” I snap.

Everyone laughs, and I decide I might as well eat breakfast here after all. I don’t want to teleport back to the Crystal City to face Ithronel on an empty stomach.