### The Next Morning

  ### My Room

  I wake up in bed. My head is killing me.

  I wonder if this world has painkillers.

  I glance to the nightstand and see two glasses on a tray beside the bed.

  The left one holds about two shots of last night’s whiskey. A folded paper behind it reads:

  **“Drink this first.”**

  Next to it is a full glass of some green concoction. The reminder behind that one says:

  **“Then this one. — Sebastian”**

  I sit up.

  Something soft is in my hand.

  I look over.

  It’s Felmina.

  She stirs awake.

  What’s she doing here? Did we—?

  “Morning, Felmina. Did we?”

  “No. You passed out before we got started.”

  “Did I? Sorry.”

  She sits up, and the covers slide down—revealing Roka.

  Why are we all in bed together?

  My head throbs. I rub my face and swing my legs off the bed.

  Right. They probably gave up their rooms for the king and his entourage. That explains it.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  I drink the glasses in order and sit back down. The pounding eases almost immediately.

  Felmina joins me on the edge of the bed. Roka keeps snoring.

  “Can you clear up the misunderstanding with Shanon today?” Felmina asks.

  “What misunderstanding?”

  “Don’t worry. We already laid the groundwork. All you have to do is wait here. We’ll bring Shanon in.”

  She smiles brightly.

  “Then you say: *‘I forgive you. I rescind my execution order.’*

  Say it exactly like that. Got it?”

  “Okay.”

  She claps her hands, visibly pleased.

  “Splendid.”

  Felmina walks over, throws the covers off Roka, and grabs her by the leg.

  “Mmmmm…”

  Then she drags her off the bed.

  “You stay right there. Got it?”

  I nod as they leave.

  Damn. That girl can sleep.

  ---

  ### Shanon

  I didn’t sleep at all last night.

  Part of it is this damned half-elf girl sleeping next to me. Every time I start to drift off, she slaps or punches me in her sleep.

  The rest is because today is the day of my execution.

  The king, Roka, and Felmina all tried to keep me calm, but it didn’t help.

  It started when Sir Hero declared that *he* would execute me.

  Does he even have feelings?

  I was relieved when he left.

  Then, a month ago, the king summoned me.

  “You are to train Sir Hero to take over your position.”

  I protested. “I can’t train someone stronger than me.”

  “That’s the whole point,” he said. “We’re going to see him. Pack a bag.”

  Halfway through the journey, I panicked. I tried to run.

  The elf subdued me.

  I was tied up and thrown into a cage.

  And now, I’m on my way to my execution.

  This must be them being kind before I die.

  Father… Mother… I’m sorry.

  Your daughter will die without giving you any grandchildren, like you always wanted.

  Knock knock.

  They’re here.

  “Shanon?”

  Roka rubs her eyes as they enter. Felmina approaches and takes my hand.

  “Come on. My husband’s waiting.”

  Goodbye, cruel world.

  Felmina pulls me to my feet.

  My legs refuse to move.

  Roka sighs. “Don’t make her drag you.”

  Tears spill down my face.

  “Please… I don’t want to die!”

  Felmina groans. “No one’s going to die. You’re being overdramatic. How many times do I have to tell you? He didn’t know what he was saying. He’s from another world.”

  “Really?”

  “Really. Now come on.”

  We go.

  ---

  We sit across from Sir Hero.

  He looks terrible.

  I probably look worse.

  “I forgive you, Shanon,” he says.

  “I rescind my execution order.”

  What…?

  It feels like corks pop out of my ears.

  I must’ve blocked out every time the king, Roka, and Felmina tried to tell me I misunderstood.

  Suddenly, I feel incredibly light.

  Warm.

  Something wells up from deep inside my chest—

  Wait.

  That’s not a good feeling.

  That’s—

  “WAAAAARGH!”

  “Oh dear…”

  “You’re gonna make me—”

  “WAAAAARGH!”

  Sir Hero and I vomit up last night’s booze in unison.

  FML.