Silas had drunk far too much. His cheeks were flushed, but his eyes remained fixed on Calliope. When she stumbled, he was instantly at her side, preventing her fall. He held her gently, his gaze soft and adoring.

"Careful there," he murmured, his voice low and warm.

"I'm fine," Calliope assured him, brushing herself off. She had recovered her balance, but Silas's strong scent of whiskey and beer made her wrinkle her nose.

"Come here, you," Calliope said, taking his hand and guiding him toward her brothers—Quentin, Norton, and Julius. She had hoped they would exercise some restraint, but Silas reeked of bourbon, and it was clear her brothers had also overindulged. He'd had far too much to drink, and as his wife, she would be nursing his hangover.

"Did you guys let him drink this much?" Calliope asked, frowning. But as she approached, she realized her brothers were in even worse condition than Silas.

"Silas! C'mon, one more shot!" Quentin slurred, waving a nearly overflowing glass. "Silas, how'd you get so good-looking?" he added, squinting. "Nope, that's not okay. You can't be better-looking than Callie. That's just not fair to her!"

Calliope stared at the group, exasperated. It wasn't just Silas—they were all thoroughly intoxicated.

"Quentin, that's enough," she said, taking his glass and setting it down. "Alright, party's over. No more drinks!"

"No more?" Quentin mumbled, blinking in confusion.

"Why stop? I'm not even drunk yet!" Norton protested, swaying on his feet.

"My head's pounding," Julius groaned, rubbing his temples. "No, she's right. I'm done. I'm definitely drunk."

"Julius, at least you're making sense," Calliope said, half-laughing, half-irritated. She had intended to scold them for plying Silas with alcohol, but it was now evident her brothers were far more inebriated than her husband. It was almost endearing, really. She knew her brothers cared deeply for her, especially after everything with Gideon Baker. They were simply overprotective, ensuring Silas wouldn't harm her.

As soon as Calliope asserted her authority, everyone stopped drinking. They slumped onto the couch together, dazed and slightly goofy, which made her smile. Silas joined them, flopping down beside her brothers.

"Alright, shoot. Ask me anything you want," he declared, thumping his chest.

Quentin, Norton, and Julius examined him and nodded approvingly. "Not bad. At least you're honest."

"You seem alright," Norton agreed.

"You treat Callie right, and we'll like you," Julius slurred. "But if you don't, we'll kick you out so fast your head'll spin."

"No one messes with Callie!" Quentin added fiercely.

"Don't think just because you two are married we won't step in," Norton warned. "If you ever hurt her, we'll break up this happy couple. No hesitation."

Silas sat up straight, nodding solemnly. "Know, know. I'd never let her down. If she's upset, trust me, I'll feel even worse."

Despite the strong smell of alcohol and her brothers' disheveled state, Calliope felt a warmth from their drunken, messy display of affection.