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The temptation to stay in this scene forever was great as the weight of the sorrow and despair from not only her own feelings but the Forest’s as well seemed to press down on her but Puck was insistent. His magic was like a pesky fly buzzing at her, forcing her to focus. She let go of her magic, letting it gather back inside of her instead of sending it into the Forest. Small tendrils started returning to Claire as she fought her way through the fog back to reality.
It all came back in an instant, from one breath to the next and Claire gasped for air as her body adjusted. It felt like every muscle was locked up and aching. Puck’s paws were kneading softly against her chest and he lifted his head to chirp. A glittering bubble seemed to melt away from above Claire and she struggled to sit up. Strong arms caught her as she yelped at the movement. Cinnamon and smoke. Malcolm. His stormy face came into her vision as Puck slid off of her.
It was like she was still getting her bearings back in this plane of reality. She knew Everett had dropped to his knees next to her and was speaking but Claire couldn’t hear him. Desmond knelt next to her as well and placed one of his hands on her cheek and the other on her knee. Everett grabbed her hand when Desmond said something to him and Claire closed her eyes as she felt what they were trying to do as her bonds sparked up. They fed her Energy in small doses, as if they were struggling to push it through the bond. But it helped. It felt like Claire’s ears popped and she could finally take a deep breath. Her muscles still ached but her muscles worked now.
“I’m back,” she whispered, the sound scratching over her dry throat.
“Here,” Synora held out a canteen to Everett. “Have her drink this. It’ll help get her Energy back.”
Everett passed it to Desmond who took a sip and nodded, holding it to Claire’s lips. She drank the slightly sweet water gratefully and closed her eyes as she felt whatever was in it ease the ache in her muscles.
“Better,” Desmond asked, drawing it away and Claire nodded.
“She knew who did it,” she croaked softly. “Who killed her. She recognized them even though I couldn’t see it. It was someone from the Academy.”
Malcolm growled as Everett and Desmond exchanged looks.
“Let’s not worry about that now,” Desmond said. “We need to get you back to the Capital.”
“I can walk if you give me a minute.” Claire nodded. She just needed a minute.
Malcolm growled and stood with her still in his arms. Guess she wasn’t walking. But Claire couldn’t find it in herself to complain. Instead she snuggled closer into Malcolm’s chest, turning her face and burying it in her shirt as she tried to ground herself in the here and now versus what she had seen. Someone at the Academy had betrayed the Academy’s neutrality and killed her mother.
* * *
When they got backto the Capital, Toan followed them up the Royal Tree and into their room. Malcolm hadn’t let go of Claire the whole time. She pinched his arm softly and ignored his growl as she wriggled out of his arms to sit next to him on the bed.
“How are you feeling?” Toan asked gently.
“Better,” Claire answered truthfully. As they hiked back, her Energy and magic levels slowly returned. She still felt exhausted and sore like she had a very intense training session but she definitely felt more grounded to this plane of existence.
“Is there any way to postpone the coronation ceremony?” Desmond asked. Claire had nearly forgotten that it was tomorrow.
“We could,” Toan said slowly. “But I honestly don’t recommend it. Today’s situation could have been avoided if she had been grounded to the Royal Tree. The bond is designed so that the tree takes on the negative effects of overextending her magic.”
“Doesn’t that hurt the tree?” Claire frowned. It seemed like a very one-sided relationship and Claire didn’t want to hurt the Elves’ Royal Tree. Especially with her magic growing and sometimes reacting beyond her control.
Toan shook his head. “It doesn’t. Remember Synora’s tree? Since the trees here are so large, the negative effects they absorb are mitigated by their size. They can more easily absorb and distribute among their interconnected network as well so no one tree needs to absorb the imbalances.”
Toan hesitated and Claire studied him. Were his ears pink?
“I would still recommend the coronation ceremony tomorrow but if you and your Triad bonded fully, that would also help ground you.”
He rushed the last words out and Claire raised her eyebrows.
“I thought we were already bonded?” She looked at Desmond.
Desmond smiled at her. “We are, little cutie pie, in every way that counts. But there are a few small rituals that make it official.”
Claire frowned and bit her lip. She had thought everything was official. To be fair, she had limited knowledge of Soul Flames as there weren’t very many at Windshire but still. If they were true mates in addition to Claire being their Fourth, it would make sense that there were additional rituals but this felt like something her Triad should have told her. Hurt bubbled up in Claire’s chest but she placed it to the side. They could discuss it later.
“Oh, well, we could do that tonight then.” Claire wasn’t sure what was involved but if it was a small ritual then it should be easy to take care of.
Toan coughed into his hand and his ears were definitely pink now. “Um, it would probably be best to wait. It would… probably take a lot out of you after today.”
Claire closed her eyes and blushed as she realized what he was trying to say. Sex. Apparently the ritual involved sex. Of course it did. That wasn’t a bad thing but Toan was right, she was still exhausted.
Desmond, bless him, as if sensing her embarrassment and her lingering hurt changed the subject. “How will the coronation ceremony affect Claire’s coming of age? What does her coming of age mean with her Elven and Fae heritage? What should we prepare for?”
