Read Online Questing Sucks! Book II by Kevin Weinberg - Free Book Online Page A

nice
,
slow breaths
.
    The trip back to Mayor Rumpus’s home had been mostly pleasant, and with the sun having set in the sky, Cah’lia had wanted to spend the rest of her night relaxed, off her feet, and resting. That was the plan, anyway, but things didn’t work out the way she’d envisioned them. Before heading back, she’d needed to stop by the stables to check the condition of their horses, which resulted in her being the last to return to her quarters.
    The moment she’d arrived back to her room, she’d known something was off. For one, a pair of black boots that didn’t belong to her rested in front of the doorway. Cah’lia was certain she’d left the curtains open, but they were now drawn. Though, neither of those things mattered once she’d seen the silk blanket covering a sleeping form across the room—it was all she’d needed to know a stranger was asleep in her bed. When the intruder had groaned and turned over, sure enough, the face belonged to none other than Sehn.
    Now, as Cah’lia kicked the door closed behind her and marched over to the sleeping elf, she slowed her breathing and calmed her temper. Maybe there was a good explanation for this.
    There probably isn’t
, she thought.
What kind of shenanigans is he up to this time
?
    She approached cautiously. With Sehn, she never knew if he was genuine or playing some foolish prank. Fortunately, Cah’lia had spent enough time traveling with the elf to know what he looked like when truly asleep. She could tell by the rise and fall of his chest and by the way his eyes softened and his bottom lip formed into something resembling a smile.
    Why is he in here
?
    Cah’lia wasn’t sure if she was more confused or angry at the invasion of her privacy. Who did Sehn think he was, barging in here and falling asleep in her bed? She grabbed his shoulders and gave him a shake.
    “Sehn, wake up. Sehn!”
    Sehn mumbled something and licked his chops, pulling the blanket tighter over his shoulder and then lying still. Cah’lia shook him again, but all he did was groan. A third shake, and his eyes opened just enough to reveal the lower half of his green pupils.
    “C-Cah’lia?” Sehn whispered. “What are you doing here?”
    “I could ask you the same thing. Why are you in my bed?”
    “In your… bed?” Sehn’s eyes popped fully open and he sat up, throwing the blanket off him and onto the floor. He then jumped off the bed and landed onto the soft carpet. He made a fighting stance, tightening his hands into fists and spreading his feet. “You will not have your way with me, Cah’lia!”
    Like a flipped switch, Cah’lia’s mood turned from inquisitive to furious as Sehn’s accusation hit her. Did he actually think she was trying to…?
    She trembled at the outrageous notion. “You’re the one in my room, you moron!” Sehn tried to back away, but she grabbed the front of his nightshirt and pulled him closer. “I want answers—now!”
    Sehn surprised Cah’lia by grabbing at her wrist and squeezing until she released him. Regardless of whatever threats he spouted, Sehn was rarely ever rough with her, which meant something was bothering him. Cah’lia lowered her arm back to her side.
    “I remember now,” Sehn said. “I wanted to wait for you here, but I became tired, so I decided to lie down for a few minutes.” He curled his lip in disgust. “I suppose those few minutes turned into a few hours.”
    Her anger forgotten, Cah’lia nodded. “Why were you waiting for me?”
    For some reason, the question seemed to sting Sehn, because he flinched and took a step backward, tripping over the bed and coming to a sitting position on the mattress. He looked down at the floor, and for a moment, Cah’lia thought she could see fear in his eyes. No, not fear. Shame. Warning bells rang off in her mind. She took a seat on the bed next to him.
    “Sehn, what’s wrong?”
    Rather than snap at her or respond with threats, he whispered, “This is a mistake.