I needed to find him. Or see what the others were up to. I was sure they’d be eager to get started on whatever plans had been decided in my absence.
I needed to focus on doing whatever I needed to do to harness my magic. Or rather the aspects of it that would help us find the ring. I knew I was still getting started and unstable at best but if I knew what threshold I had to work toward it would help.
And at some point, today, I needed to start a new journal.
I hadn’t started a new one this month. Everything before now had felt wrong, especially when I first woke from the reset. It would have been like documenting lies or recording nightmares I desperately wanted to forget.
But now…
This was the aftermath. The fog from the battle had cleared and I felt like a new person, in the wake of the pain.
Light had broken through the cracks. Hope had bloomed in the space between Wolfe and me. And fate had opened doors with our union.
Now I had something real to write about.
I got off the bay and turned toward the wardrobe, purpose straightening my spine.
Time to get started for the day.
I made my way downstairs. I could already hear the house staff chattering with excitement in the dining hall.
By the time I got there, the chatter grew louder. Three of the Fae females were setting the table with trays of delicious pastries while Sirril and two other sprites gave instructions. They looked like they were hurrying to get it all done.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” I asked. They hadn’t noticed I’d walked in the room and was standing right beside them.
They all jumped at the sound of my voice, looking startled.
“Oh, my Lady, you’re already here,” Sirril said, his little face wrinkled with mild panic. “The alarm was to wake you. I thought I had more time to make things perfect.”
I glanced around, awe filling me on seeing the effort they’d put in. “It is perfect.”
“Oh no. Lord Nightblade wanted us to make your favorite breakfast meals from scratch. No magic. He says it tastes better and I’m inclined to agree. Especially the cinnamon buns.”
I smiled then I found myself laughing.
“What my Lady? Is something not to your liking?” Worry deepened his frown.
I shook my head. “Not at all. I’m just…” I looked at each of them and my smile brightened. “I’m happy to be back. Please, everything is perfect. You don’t need to do anything more.”
Understanding filled their eyes. All of them. They smiled back at me.
“What else would the Lady of the manor have us do?” Siiminal, the tallest female asked. She’d been extra attentive during my first days here. I also thought she suspected I’d try to escape.
“I…” I began and then I thought of something nice. “I would have you take the day off and do something fun. Something you really want, whatever that may be. You all work so hard. I’m sure Lord Nightblade would agree that a break is in order.”
They seemed happy with my request.
“Thank you, my Lady.” The girls chortled in a chorus.
“You are welcome.”
They sauntered away but Sirril and the other two sprites remained.
“We stay, My Lady,” Sirril said. “For protection. It’s Lord Nightblade’s strict orders. But perhaps we will take your offer another time.”
I nodded. “I hope you do.”
“We are all happy to have you back, my Lady. And more excited about your union to Lord Nightblade.”
