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“Yes, so you have to get out.” Greta waved her stick at him and then rapped Everett and Malcolm on the legs. Claire suspected both were already awake but they still jumped. “You boys as well. Out. Go get breakfast for Claire and take your time.”
Malcolm and Everett didn’t protest as much as Claire thought they would, instead jumping out of bed and getting dressed quickly. After the last week of training with Greta, the Elder was no longer as intimidating as she had been on the first day. Greta had a dry and direct sense of humor but she had a distinct fondness for the Elves and Claire.
“Out. Out!” Greta said again.
Malcolm ignored her to kiss Claire on the forehead before dragging a still bleary-eyed Desmond out with him. Everett also chanced Greta’s wrath to kiss Claire good morning.
“Do you want me to stay?” he whispered, willing to defy Greta if it made Claire more comfortable.
“It’s fine,” Claire whispered.
“Okay,” he said, stealing another kiss. “Good morning,” he whispered against her lips.
It was Claire’s turn for her brain to turn to mush and Everett grinned down at her. “Good morning,” she whispered, before pushing him away gently so he could get out.
Even though Everett was willing to stay, he gave Greta and her stick a wide berth as he exited the room.
“That actually went surprisingly faster than I thought it would,” Greta said with a cackle, leaning on her stick.
Claire rolled her eyes but smiled. “What is this about a ceremonial bath? Toan didn’t mention anything.”
“Toan probably didn’t mention shit,” Greta said dryly. “The man is wonderful but details are not his thing.”
“He’s got a lot going on,” Claire defended him lightly.
“That’s why he’s lucky I’m still alive and kicking.”
Greta walked over and dropped the sack from her shoulder on the bed in front of Claire. She pulled out a gauzy green material and hobbled over to hang it on the shower room partition. She hobbled back over to the bed and Claire was distracted from her study of the dress by the different satchels of herbs that Greta was pulling out next. They reminded her of the conversation from last night.
“Greta?”
“Yes, young princess?”
“How do the Elves know who their mates are? And how do they claim them?”
Greta smiled and gave her a wink. “I was wondering when you were going to ask. For the Elves it’s a calm bond. It’s described as a steady knowing that this is the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. Once both parties agree, there’s a special herb called Anima Amoris that can be crushed and mixed with hot water creating tea. And then there’s lots of sex involved.”
She wiggled her eyebrows at Claire who let out a surprised laugh. She really needed to stop being shocked about what came out of the Elder’s mouth.
“Could you get me some of that herb?” Claire said, blushing.
Greta cackled at her reddened cheeks. “Of course, young princess. Don’t forget what I said about lots of sex. Make sure you take it when you have nothing else going on.”
Claire rolled her eyes. “That might never happen. It seems there is always something going on.”
“Best you make time then, young princess. Not only do you need them to help ground your magic, you also need to enjoy such fine specimens.”
“Greta!”
“What? I’m old, not blind. I don’t understand how you’re still walking straight every morning.”
Claire blushed and covered her face with her hands. “It’s not… I mean we don’t… Ugh, Greta!”
Greta cackled. “Speaking of, young princess, do I need to be sorting out a birth control potion for you? Unless you’re planning on having babies anytime soon?”
Claire’s eyes widened. She hadn’t even thought of babies. Especially not with everything else going on. It’s not that she didn’t want children and thinking of having a mini-Desmond, Malcolm, or Everett did make her heart pang. But now was a terrible time.
“Desmond cast one a month or so ago but I don’t know.”
