“Just a tea, completely natural and designed not to leave you sluggish in the morning. The goal is to have you well rested.”
“But what’s in it?”
She carried the teacup and packet to her. “Valerian root, passionflower, chamomile. A bit of reishi mushroom for the nerves. All natural, all gentle. Just enough to quiet the mind and let the body rest.”
Daisy peered into the cup and took the packet. The ingredients were listed in neat handwritten calligraphy, not exactly what she would consider a guarantee of safety.
“No secrets or tricks, I assure you.” She returned to the counter and poured water from the kettle. Steam curled upward, intensifying the strange, sweet scent.
Trust no one.
“I’ll think about it,” she said. “You can just leave it there.”
Aunt V’s smile didn’t flicker. “Of course. But I speak from experience when I say rest is essential. Whatever your goals are tomorrow, you’ll need all your strength and a clear head to achieve them.” She moved toward the door. “Do you have any questions for me?”
“What happens now?”
“You rest. Self-care makes the soul strong.”
Daisy stood. If she had questions, she couldn’t think of any in that moment. “Will I see you tomorrow?”
“Bright and early at The Becoming. Sleep well, my little doe. Tomorrow, your transition begins.”
Daisy watched Aunt V go with a mixture of relief and anxiety. When the door clicked shut behind her, she simply stood there for a long moment. Then she sniffed the tea again.
It didn’t smell bad. It actually had a soothing scent. She dipped her finger into the pale-brown water and licked the tip.
“Hm.” She still wasn’t sold.
Turning, Daisy took in the impossible luxury surrounding her, laughing when buoyant giddiness popped inside of her like a bubble, tickling until she laughed at the surreal insanity of her surroundings. Then she covered her mouth and screamed—giggling like a crazy person.
“Holy shit,” she whispered, moving through the suite like raggedy Cinderella set loose in the palace before her true transformation.
It wasn’t real. Not fully. Not yet. But every time she touched something, the evidence of her circumstances solidified a bit more.
She trailed her fingers down the four-poster bed draped in white silk. Caressed the pristine vanity laden with French products she couldn’t name. Opened the door to a wardrobe, empty aside from a plush white robe sewn of the softest fabric she’d ever held.
The bathroom shined from floor to ceiling in white marble. Gold fixtures adorned every drawer. She ran her fingers over the smooth edge of the claw-footed soaking tub, opened drawers lined with scented paper, sniffed bath salts and luxury soaps, turned golden taps as warm water flowed through her fingers like fountains of life.
Giddiness rose in her chest, and Daisy nervously covered her mouth before another giggle escaped, fearing such light feelings could break the invisible armor that helped her survive her regular, hard life.
But what if her hard life was over now? What if this was how it was going to be from now on? Her body jerked at the thought, shifting her euphoria into sudden?—
She didn’t know the name for such a feeling.
Happiness so intense it bordered on pain.
Eyes welling, pressure built in her chest, sharp and too expansive to hold in. Covering her mouth, a sound escaped somewhere between laughter and a sob.
Twin tears tripped down her cheeks, having nothing to do with sadness.
Then came the sharp lash of guilt, reminding her she was only a visitor, an outsider passing by.
“No.” She wasn’t going to do that. Not today. She earned this. Maybe not yet, but she would. “I have every right to feel happy.” Determined to luxuriate in such extravagance, she shoved the guilt away. “I’m going to enjoy this.”
She deserved a moment of sheer indulgence after such a confusing day. After years of relentlessly scraping by. This was her time. Hers.
Twisting the gold knob of the tub, she turned the water to full speed. “Time to wash you away, Dr. Tannhäuser.”
