“You did. I saw it.”
“You’re delusional from blood loss.”
“You think my pain is funny.”
“A little bit,” she admitted.
My chest loosened. “I will take it.”
I went back to hopping, determined to get the pants on properly this time. I did manage to put them on, and I felt fucking proud about it.
“Papa,” Killian said seriously. “Why are your pants on backwards?”
For fuck’s sake. I couldn’t be-
I looked down. The waistband was definitely where it should be. The zipper was... oh no.
“They are not...”
They absolutely were.
Wen actually laughed. A real laugh, even though it was weak. “How did you...”
“I was in a hurry.”
“Just take them off and start over,” she suggested.
“I am not taking my pants off in front of everyone.”
“You were literally naked two minutes ago.”
“That is different than getting naked after you’ve put your clothes on!”
Wen was still laughing, her hand over her mouth. Killian was giggling too.
“Your papa is very silly,” Wen said to Killian.
“Yeah he is,” Killian agreed.
A healer cleared her throat. “Your Majesty, I really need to see that leg.”
“After I fix my pants,” I said stubbornly.
I hopped out of them, nearly crashed into a medicine cart, and hopped back into them the right way. By the time I finally got them on correctly, I had knocked over two trays and provided more entertainment than the infirmary had seen in years.
Wen had stopped laughing only because she was too exhausted to continue.
They took a blood sample, did their magical analysis, and I watched their expressions shift from curious to shocked.
“Your Majesty,” the lead healer said to Wen. “Your blood... the magic has grown exponentially.”
“What does that mean?” I asked, moving closer despite my leg.
“The threat to the heir awakened something dormant. The magic literally exploded outward to protect him. The flames, the portal, both manifestations of incredibly powerful magic.”
“Is she safe?” That was all I cared about.
“Yes. Just exhausted from the sudden awakening. Her body is adjusting to the new level of power.”
