Winged Warrior

Chapter 14: Buzz

Becca and Marine played the first round against two guys whom Skye thought she might recognize. Becca and Marine had surprisingly crushed their opponents, either of them rarely missed a cup. Each time, the guys would sigh before taking their shot, quickly realizing that this "fun game" was not going to last long.

Skye played the next game with a girl named Tasha against Riftan and a short redheaded guy. This game lasted much longer. Each time Skye was able to throw her ball into the opponent's cup, Riftan kept his eyes on her as he took his shot of whiskey. She responded by doing the same. With each shot that was made, the game became more intense as Skye's competitiveness seeped out.

Despite the game being boys vs. girls, Becca and Marine cheered for the opposing team--especially if the shot was made by Riftan.

The boys only needed one more cup to win, the girls behind by one. Skye surprised herself when she jumped in excitement after Tasha landed one of the cups. Now, she just prayed that Riftan would miss.

He didn't. They won, and Skye took the final shot before congratulating her rivals. Riftan extended his hand to shake, but Skye pretended she didn't see it. She didn't want to be friends.

The group then moved to a game called Buzz. When the rules were explained, Skye felt confident in her ability to count. Skye started, "One."

They moved in a circle, and Becca continued, "Two."

Marine, "Three."

Riftan, "Four."

A young brunette man named, Sean, "Five."

Another man, Jay, "Six."

Tasha, "BUZZ!"

The redheaded boy, whose nickname was Red, "Eight."

Back to Skye, "Nine."

They continued like this until they reached almost thirty. Whenever someone missed saying "buzz" on a number with a Seven in it, a multiple of Seven, or a repeating double-digit, they took a shot.

More mistakes began to be made as Becca called, "Thirty-three." Throwing her drink back.

Skye had messed up when she called a multiple of seven. By this point, she was beginning to feel warm, the taste of liquor began to lose its repelling burning sensation with each swig. Things began to become funnier. Skye knew it was time to stop, but she hadn't had "adult fun" like this before, aside from the odd drink she would have with Uncle Rad.

When Marine and Becca came forward wanting to switch to Truth, Dare, or Drink, Skye was ecstatic. She had a few truths that she wanted to squeeze out of Riftan.

The first few turns were harmless. Red was dared to kiss Becca, and she had feigned disgust. Marine had decided to take a shot when she was dared to remove Jay's socks with her teeth. The boys dared one another to do silly things such as making naked snow angels and burping the alphabet. Riftan chose to take a shot each time.

Skye belly laughed and completed her dare of spelling her name with her tongue on the floor, receiving many "Ew's" and "Yeahs!" mixed with laughter.

As the group began to settle down, many turns became truth. Of course, most questions consisted of the usual "Who have you kissed?", "hookups?", or "Who would you do the deed with, here?" Skye was beginning to lose interest by this point, she could feel herself nearing sickness as she continued taking shots to avoid answering questions. She had well passed her limits.

"Skye!" Marine sang as Skye began to stand to leave, "Truth or dare?"

"Oh," She wobbled, "Actually I think I'm gonna call it a night." Skye slurred.

"Pleaassseeee?" She whined.

Skye sighed, "Truth," displaying a tired smile.

"Well, we have all heard of the 'shrew' rumors. So, how many men have you been with under the sheets?" Marine wiggled her brows.

"Oh, no, no!" Skye rambled, "I don't do that. I barely *hic*--I mean, I haven't. Like, almost one time. I didn't know, though. Uncle Rad saved me." She breathed, catching herself on a chair.

The group looked at each other confused, "Almost? Saved? So what? It wasn't consensual?"

"You're Uncle walked in on your first time?"

"You lead him on and backed out?"

She was tired and tired of the questions, "I don't know guys! I was 10!" And she fell.

Dizziness filled her vision as she felt nausea creep up her throat. She looked up momentarily to see the shocked faces, "Skye, were you..?"

"Saved." She pushed onto her elbows. But was suddenly yanked to her feet.

"Time for bed." Skye looked up at the towering figure. Riftan held her elbows and guided her to the stairwell leading to the second floor. Skye couldn't focus on the blurred surroundings, nor the stunned whispers she left behind. She just felt sick and wanted the privacy and comfort of her room.

Riftan released a frustrated sigh as he helped her hobble up the stairs. When she slumped forward, he planted her on her feet. "Next time, just walk away."

"Tch, walk away ALL the days." She was out of it.

He helped her into her room and brought her to the bathroom, unfolding a small stool at the base of the toilet. Skye groaned as her stomach lurched.

Riftan left the room while Skye emptied the contents of her stomach. She reached for toilet paper and spat into the bowl before wiping her face and flushing the toilet. She rested her forehead on the rim, sighing with regret at her own foolishness and lack of self-control.

Riftan came back into the room, tossing a slice of bread at her. He held a glass of water. "Here."

She forced the bread down and followed it with water before ridding it back up into the water-filled throne. Riftan sat against the wall near the door, with his head back and eyes closed.

Skye felt too awful to be embarrassed, "Thanks, you can leave if you want."

He breathed, "I'm sorry about everything."

"We don't have to have this talk now. We're drunk."

"I'm not."

Skye was surprised. She had watched Riftan take many shots. "Well, I am."

He chuckled, "Yes, I know."

The room spun and Skye clutched the bowl for support. "Forgiven but not forgotten."

She peered at him as he nodded slowly.

"My wolf is," He paused, "Fond of you."

"How does it work?" She slid from the stool and onto her knees, hovering over her target, "The whole wolf thing. Like are you two in one? Like a marriage."

He gave her a half-smile, "Something like that. His soul is connected to mine. We share both forms."

"How do you know he's there?"

"Well, he speaks to me. I can also allow him to take control of our consciousness."

"Like a split-personality. You can say you hear voices in your head."

He snickered.

"What's his name?"

"Xerxes."

"Can you tell him that 'Xerxes' is a wonderful name and I would like to meet him one day?" She slurred.

Riftan laughed this time, amused, "He can hear you. You can meet him now if you'd like?"

"Oh," Skye tried to focus, "Right now may not be the best time," She felt her stomach turn.

Riftan cleared his throat, "Another time, then." He looked away when Skye began to up-chuck.

~~Riftan's POV~~

I fought the urge to rub her back.

Xerxes stirred uncomfortably, disappointed that Skye had turned down meeting him--he understood though. He had been quiet for a long while, only making himself known when Skye was near. He still hasn't fully forgiven me.

I had to pull her away from the group, I could sense she was done, too. Xerxes raged when he had heard her speak so nonchalantly about such a traumatic incident. She must have been terrified. He dwelled on the terror she must have felt.

I shake my head, bringing myself and Xerx back onto the bathroom floor with her. Even in this condition, she was breathtaking.

It has been a while since we have felt so much at peace. So, we lean back and bask in her presence while she empties her stomach.

~~~~~

Beginning to relax, Skye's breath began to even.

A light knock sounded at the door, but Riftan ignored it. He stood and dampened a cloth before gently wiping her face. He plucked her from the floor and carried her small body to the large bed. The blankets had been crumpled and made messy.

He felt a strange, hard, bar-like structure running along her back and resisted the urge to peek under her shirt.

His hair rose when her door creaked open. Two giggling girls quietly whispered and joked as they entered. They gasped when they saw Riftan and hid something quickly behind their backs. He marched over to them. "What are you doing?"

Becca and Marine stammered, "We--Checking up on Skye."

"She's fine, I've got it handled." He peered around to see what they were hiding.

Marine stepped closer to Riftan, "Well if everything is good here...Wanna come over?" She traced a finger on his chest.

"Why even ask? Nothing has changed. We're done."

Her nostrils flared as she fought the urge to cry and scream. "I'll be waiting when you're done with--whatever this is."

The girls excused themselves, and Becca apologized for "interrupting". Riftan had failed to see anything other than small black objects in their folded hands.

Once alone again, Riftan locked the door and stoked the fire, adding more sustenance for the flames to devour. He pulled the long curtains shut and stood over his mate. Fighting the urge to crawl in beside her and hold her until sunrise, he sighed and propped himself on the long bench near Skye's feat, staring into the crackling flames as they licked their prey.

Riftan sat like this for some time, dreaming of a potential life with Skye. He needed to remind himself that he was getting ahead of himself, she said she forgave him, but will not trust him again. Plus, she was drunk.

When Skye rolled out of bed to run for the bathroom, it startled Riftan, even if he didn't show it. This time she had closed the door behind her, locking it. So he waited with her glass of water, ready.

When she emerged from the bathroom, she groaned, "This is going to be a terrible hangover."

Riftan didn't respond and Skye tried to dismiss him, feeling awkward and now embarrassed in his presence, "I'm sorry for being a burden. Thanks for this." She reached for the cup.

"No problem, I'll send someone with some meds in the morning to help with your headache and nausea."

Skye nodded, ready to return to bed. When she laid back down, however, the room spun. It was worse when Riftan went to leave and the lights went out.

"Wait!" She called to him, "Leave the lights on please?" She felt petty acting so desperate, but she wanted to keep the rest of her stomach acid down.

"Sure." He hesitated before leaving, turning back to lock the door from the inside, "Goodnight." It was almost a whisper.