The goblet of wine sat between them, their heads lowered slightly and eyes flicking between each other and the goblet. “Your turn,” the woman said finally, her blue eyes full of disgust. She had already tasted the wine, and it had made her mouth draw up as though she bit into a lemon. The thick syrupy texture had been like drinking honey - except it was far too strong to be considered even that sweet treat. “I already tried it. But you taste. Does this taste too sweet to you?” She had been asked that by a nervous steward, and hadn’t wanted to hurt his feelings.
“Kyla, do I look like a fool?” Jon had a worse reaction to sweet things that Kyla did, which was what made the game much more interesting to the brown haired woman. A smile fluttered onto her lips, and she tossed her hair over one shoulder. The haughty movement left the man exasperated. “You know I hate sweets,” he tried again, even as he reached for the goblet. She had won, but what would be the cost?
Jon looked down at the ruby red liquid, studying it. He swirled the cup, watching it slosh around. The aroma it released was thick and cloying, almost like the petunias that his mother had grown in the windows back home. Though it lacked the consistency of syrup, as he brought it to his lips he could understand where that connection could be made. The glasses of water standing by were certainly needed, especially when the rich liquid passed his lips and washed over his tongue. He choked on it before he could even swallow, spluttering the sticky substance in all directions. He dropped the goblet like it was poison, slashing the table, floor, and himself in the liquid as he scrambled for his glass of water. Kyla laughed hard from where she was as he rinsed his mouth out, still gagging between gulps of the clean liquid. “Oh gods be good Kyla! That could kill someone! Tell him to dump the whole thing!” Jon barked sharply, finally jumping up and storming off, leaving the woman sitting and laughing.
Why, yes, the wine was too sweet.
