AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’ll get you a few doses before you leave. Take it once every three months to prevent babies.”
She really needed Greta to stop saying babies. “So tell me what these herbs are for?” She tried to change the subject and redirect Greta’s attention.
A knock sounded on the door. “That should be the hot water now,” Greta said, hobbling over and letting them in.
Claire thought it might be her men with breakfast as her stomach growled softly but Synora’s strong frame backed into the room carrying one half of a wooden tub that sloshed with water. Did they carry that all the way up here?
“Put it right here,” Greta directed them.
“Thank you,” Claire murmured to Synora as they set it down.
“Of course, Princess… I mean Claire.”
Claire smiled at her slip and gave her another grateful nod. Synora and the other Elf left quickly as if not wanting to risk Greta’s wrath.
Greta stirred the water in the tub with her walking stick muttering a few words until the water began to steam. “Bring me the brown bags of herbs.”
Claire grabbed the two brown bags of herbs, tugging down Malcolm’s shirt as she got out of bed so as to not flash Greta. Although from the looks of it, she was going to have to strip down sooner rather than later. Greta took the herbs from her which Claire recognized as common herbs from her Herbology class that had sweet, fresh scents. Greta sprinkled them in the water, letting them float on the top as she slowly stirred the water.
“Now the green one. Bring the purple too but don’t put it in yet,” Greta commanded. Claire grabbed the dark green pouch and handed it to Greta.
“This is the Sanitas herb,” Greta prompted. “Remember, it’s for overall health.”
That was right, Claire thought as she watched the dark brown powder dissolve. The water was starting to look murky now and Clire twisted her lips. Wasn’t one supposed to get clean in baths?
“Now sprinkle just a pinch of the dark green powder.”
Claire carefully took a small pinch of the powder in the purple bag and let it sprinkle over the warm water. It glowed softly as it came into contact with the other herbs. “What was that one?”
“That was ground Fortis.” At Claire’s alarmed look, Greta explained. “It only works if ingested. You won’t get addicted from it by just using a pinch to bathe in. But connecting to the Royal Tree is not an easy nor painless task. You’ll need the extra strength the Fortis plant provides.”
Now, Claire was alarmed for a whole new reason. “What do you mean?”
“The weight of our ancestors lives in that tree,” Greta said. “While only the Royals directly connected to it, the Royal Tree is connected to all other trees in the Forest. Legend tells it that it’s the Mother Tree and from it the Elven Forest sprang up around it. When you connect to it, not only will you connect to it but also to all other trees through it. You’ll be able to push your magic out through it into that network but also pull Energy from that network. It’s a powerful but dangerous ability. Too much either way will overload the tree and the network.”
“Toan seemed to think this was the answer to my lack of control over my magic,” Claire felt dejected. This was supposed to fix everything.
“Nothing will ever provide you the perfect control except you, young princess.” Greta’s voice was quiet. “Everything comes at a cost. There must be a balance to all things inside you for the magic to exist harmoniously.”
Claire thought over Greta’s words. A balance to all things. Claire would be the first to admit she didn’t feel very balanced. She had thought the Royal Tree would provide that balance but if it wouldn’t then maybe bonding with her mates would help? But according to Greta, she was the only one who could provide herself that balance. But how could she balance herself if she didn’t have help? It was all just so confusing and her brain was starting to hurt as she stared at the swirling, murky water that resembled her thoughts right now.
“It’s done,” Greta announced. “Shirt off and get in. Your men will be back soon and you need to submerge yourself in the water before we quiet the beast that is your stomach.”
Claire blushed as she didn’t realize that Greta had heard her stomach earlier. She reluctantly took the shirt off, keeping her eyes on the bath and not on Greta. She climbed into the tub, hissing slightly as the hot water hit her sensitive stomach. Taking a deep breath, she submerged herself up to her chin in one swift move. The water looked cooler than it felt, Claire decided as it felt like her skin was on fire. Maybe that was just the herbs but Claire’s entire body tingled.
“Your hair too,” Greta said. “Take a breath and don’t drink any of the water.”
Claire barely had time to take a breath as Greta’s surprisingly strong hands pushed down on her shoulders. Claire closed her eyes against the murky water until she could feel the top of her scalp tingling from the water. Greta’s hands lifted off her shoulders and she emerged from the water with a gasp.
“Keep your mouth closed,” Greta instructed as she patted her face dry with what felt like a soft towel. “You have to stay in there for a few more minutes.”
She hobbled away from the tub’s edge and went back to the bed where the sack laid. She fetched two dark green undergarments and a few other dried plants before turning and motioning Claire to get out.
She accepted the towel that Greta handed her and dried her body off quickly before putting the undergarments on. Greta offered her a brown robe that she tied around her waist before Greta motioned to the floor in front of the bed where Greta sat.
Claire took a seat on the floor just as the door opened and her men came back inside.
“Haven’t you heard of knocking?” Greta snarked. “What if I had been in the middle of a ritual.”
