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Toan looked equally grateful for the change of subject. “To be honest, I don’t know. The level of magic Claire is exhibiting should only have been available to her after her coming of age ceremony. It’s possible she’s already come into her full powers earlier due to all of the events of the last year or it’s possible that more is still to come. The more ways she has to ground her magic the better.”
Claire’s eyes went wide. There was a possibility her magic would grow? It couldn’t grow. She could barely control it now and it was still partly bound. She was going to need to be permanently tethered to the earth at this rate with how much grounding she would need if she grew much more powerful. Would bonding with her Triad be enough? Also what did bonding entail? She hated feeling in the dark, especially with the lack of answers about literally everything else in her life right now. The news that her Triad had been keeping this knowledge from her rolled around like a rock in her stomach.
In the midst of her muddled thoughts, Toan bade them good night and left. Claire managed a small smile at her uncle before he shut the door behind him.
“Why didn’t you tell me that we weren’t truly bonded?” Her voice was tinged with hurt and she didn’t bother to hide her feelings down their bond anymore. She might still be waiting on answers about her parents for forever but for tonight she could pin her Triad down to get some.
Her men’s eyes widened as they felt her hurt down the bond and Desmond dropped to his knees in front of her, taking her hands with his. “I meant what I said when I said that we were bonded in every way that counts. You’re my Soul Flame, Malcolm’s treasure and Everett’s mate.”
“But not truly bonded,” Claire protested.
“We didn’t want to rush you,” Everett said, kneeling beside her.
“That and with your three bonds, we were afraid to push you. We didn’t know how your magic would react,” Desmond continued.
“You’re afraid of me?” They were afraid of her? Or afraid of what her magic would do? Claire was devastated.
“Not of you,” Everett was quick to reassure her.
“Never of you,” Desmond repeated. “We were afraid for you and what your magic could do to you. After the incident during Combat Finals when your magic was drained, we agreed to wait and take things slow. Bonding rituals take a lot out of anyone and you have three bonds.”
“Seeing you lie on the bed unresponsive was hell, little treasure,” Malcolm bit out.
“You still should have told me.” Claire understood they were overprotective, had accepted it even, but this was a bit much. “You know how hard I’ve been searching for answers, so much I don’t know. I should have known this.” Hurt swirled in her gut and her men sucked in a breath as they felt it through their bonds.
“You’re right,” Desmond nodded. “And we’re sorry. We didn’t mean to hurt you only to…”
“Protect me,” Claire finished for him. “I know. But I am capable of taking care of myself, I think I’ve proven that by now. While I am still learning to control this magic inside of me, it is powerful and I’ve gotten us out of tough situations by myself. I’m not saying you can’t be overprotective,” her finger placed on Malcolm’s mouth cut off his low growl. “But I am saying that I can stand on my own two feet. If what everyone is saying is true…” she trailed off and took a deep breath, “And the magic inside me grows, I need you all at my side helping guide me, not sheltering me from the Realm.”
“I think that’s a fair ask,” Everett said, leaning closer and pressing a kiss to Claire’s temple. “I’m sorry, little mate, we didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Claire smiled at him and lifted her face towards Malcolm. She arched an eyebrow at her grumpy dragon, aware that this compromise grated against his overprotective instincts. He grumbled but gave her a nod in agreement.
She looked back down at Desmond who squeezed her hands. “When we get to the Dragon Mountains, we can prepare for the bonding rituals. It’ll be different for all of us.”
Claire nodded. She would also ask Greta how the Elves bonded with each other. Not only did she want the bond with her Triad, she needed the bond with them if she was going to survive her magic growing.
10
Astrident knocking on the door pulled Claire out of another restless sleep. Like the other nights before, she dreamed all night yet as she woke up she couldn’t seem to remember any of them.
The knocking didn’t cease and Claire rolled over with a groan. All of her mates were accounted for so whoever it was at the door wasn’t them. Desmond laid out across the end of the bed and she poked him with her foot.
He groaned and rolled over, capturing her foot with his hand and cradling it. “It’s too early,” he grumbled.
“Not for whoever is at the door,” Claire sighed.
Desmond released her foot and rolled over, not bothering to pull on his shirt before opening the door.
“Finally,” Greta breezed by him. “Didn’t you ever learn not to keep your elders waiting, boy?”
Desmond just stared at her as she stopped in the middle of the room, a bag slung over her shoulder.
“It’s too early for this,” he mumbled to himself again, clearly not ready to verbally spar with the spry Elder this morning.
“It’s not early,” Greta waved her stick at him. “You’re already late. Claire is supposed to be up by now. She needs to take the ceremonial bath before she gets dressed.”
“Ceremonial bath?” Desmond repeated, eyes darkening slightly.
