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Kieran nodded. “It’s why Kallan spoke up for you before the Elders. As you told your story, I read your intentions. Your Energy is one of the purest I have ever read. I knew you were telling the truth and because of that, we will help you prepare for the Traditio.”
One could read intentions via Energy? Her brain spun as she tried to figure out how one might read intentions. That could be an incredibly useful skill especially as Queen of the Elves. Could they teach her? Regardless, she wasn’t going to turn down her cousins’ offer of help. “When do we start?”
“Tomorrow,” Kallan said. “We need to go out and help pave your way. Your appearance has caused lots of unrest as some here thought the barrier provided complete protection.” Claire nodded as she thought about the eyes they felt on them as they passed through the village.
“But not you,” Malcolm guessed.
Kallan shook his head. “We always knew this day would come. As much as the Elders want to imagine it so, we cannot live in a bubble forever. Someone or something was bound to pop it.”
Claire thought back to the Fae warriors that surrounded the Elders. None of them had seemed shaken but maybe they were good at hiding behind stoic masks. She would have to trust her cousins on this one.
“Thank you,” Claire said softly. “Like you said, our appearance was a surprise. I appreciate everything you are doing.”
Kallan smiled at her, the first smile he had given her and his eyes softened. “Of course, little cousin. We will do all we can. You aren’t the only one who longed for family.”
Claire blushed and looked down. Apparently, she had been too easy to read earlier. She would have to take lessons from the stoic Fae around her.
Kieran clapped his hands together. “We’ll show you your rooms before we leave. The kitchen is stocked so please help yourself. But we should hurry. We don’t want Elder Milam leading the narrative.”
Kallan, who was standing next to Holly, held out his hand gesturing down the hallway. He looked at her but Holly was looking away as if she didn’t see him. Bethany took her arm and led her down the hallway that Kallan was gesturing to. A flash of smile crossed Kallan’s face before his expressionless mask returned. Claire was going to have to get Holly alone soon.
The twins led them down the hallway pointing out the rooms they could stay in. They insisted that Claire and her Triad had the master suite as the twins had one of the other larger bedrooms that they shared. Claire wondered if they had been lonely over the last two decades. They had to be young when their parents died. Or at least younger.
Conveniently, they placed Holly in her own room that just so happened to be the room right next to theirs. Kieran looked at Holly and opened his mouth and then shut it. Holly’s entire body language was rigid and it looked like her friend was struggling so Claire intervened.
“Holly, can you help me with something in the room real quick?”
“I can help you,” Desmond frowned down at Claire, clearly not reading the situation.
Claire smiled and stood up on her tiptoes to press a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you for the offer but it’s girl things.”
Desmond frowned and Everett pulled him back by his elbow. “We’ll walk Kieran and Kallan out.” Bless him, Everett was picking up on the signals Holly was throwing off. Although her gryphon shifter had always paid attention, Desmond sometimes missed out on those social cues. Puck jumped from Everett’s shoulder to Claire’s as the men left.
Claire flashed her cousins a quick smile. Her loyalty was to Holly first but if she could help her friend figure out whatever this was and everyone ended up happy then all the better.
Claire snagged Holly’s elbow and Bethany slipped through the door behind them. Puck leapt to the ground and made himself comfortable on the bed in the room.
Holly moved to the middle of the room and stood awkwardly. Her arms wrapped around her middle and her body rigid. Bethany who usually had a remark for everything was silent and Claire stepped forward. She wrapped her arms around Holly from behind and her friend softened backwards into her hug. That was a good sign.
“Are you mates?” Claire asked the most pressing question softly.
Holly took a breath and then nodded but didn’t say anything else.
“Are we happy about it?” Bethany asked softly, joining them with her arms wrapped around both of their waists.
“I…” Holly started, “I think? It’s just…”
Bethany and Claire remained silent as Holly tried to figure out the words.
Finally, Holly heaved a sigh and said, “Actually, right now I’d rather not talk about it. We have enough to worry about.”
Claire wanted to push because she thought Holly needed to talk about it but she didn’t. Bethany went to open her mouth and Claire shook her head. If Holly needed space right now to process then they could give her space. Holly had done the same for Claire.
She hugged Holly tighter before letting her go. “Whatever you need. When you’re ready, we can talk about it.”
Holly smiled gratefully and squeezed Claire’s hand. “Thank you.”
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