To banish my lingering fatigue, I made the shower cold, which seemed to do the trick.
After I finished, I studied myself in the mirror as water dripped from my long blonde locks. My breasts looked the same as usual, perky and ready for my mates’ attention. Although, as I ran my hands over them, my nipples did feel a little sore. My fingers ran down, circling the belly button on my flat abdomen.
I tried to access the spirit source again, only to find a sense of nothingness. It wasn’t as if the space inside of me felt empty—rather, it felt blocked.
Hmm. I wasn’t sure what to make of that.
Running my fingers through my wet hair, I reached for the fire source out of habit to dry the dripping strands.
And nothing happened.
My stomach sank as I paused, then tried again.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Water hit the floor, mocking me at my attempt to touch the fire source, which worked great as a magical dryer.
Frowning, I decided not to panic. Maybe Titus was right. I was a Halfling, and being pregnant could have strange effects on my powers. If I couldn’t access the spirit source, it made sense that I wouldn’t be able to access the others as well. Although, I didn’t like the sensation of helplessness that came with feeling so... human.
“Well, if you’re going to be human, then you might as well act the part,” I said to myself, leaning on the counter to make sure my reflection heard my determination.
I didn’t have a human hair dryer, so I snatched up a towel and scrubbed until my hair went from soaking wet to damp. I plaited the strands into a complex braid, wrapping it around my head like a crown. The style was popular with the Water Fae, who preferred to leave their hair wet. I had learned it from one of the students—Artica.
That done, I put on a loose-fitting blouse and matched it with a blue skirt that complemented my eyes. I didn’t allow myself to linger or let my thoughts drift. I propped my hands on my hips and surveyed my bedroom filled with decorations.
Yes, a distraction would suit me well.
I SEPARATED the decorations into piles based on theme.
Halloween—even though it had already passed. However, Exos liked the skeletons.
Autumn Solstice to represent the fae.
Then Christmas and Winter Solstice decorations made up the third pile. Christmas was just around the corner—plus it was my favorite of all the holidays—so I liked to start sneaking in hints of tinsel and garland wherever possible.
I started wrapping the pumpkin lights around one of the pillars in the living room, then took to the other with one of the Christmas silver stars. I finished off the third and fourth with standard fae lights, although they were more like dull orbs since I couldn’t access my magic to activate them.
A problem to deal with, um, later.
I had nearly finished up with the kitchen when Titus, Cyrus, and an unknown fae walked in. They all stopped in their tracks and openly gaped at me. I’d just scrambled up the countertop to put the finishing touch on the room. I’d dragged a massive red ribbon in tow, determined to affix it to the arch that ran along the ceiling above the stove.
“Claire!” Cyrus shouted, his tone panicked. “Get down immediately!”
Ignoring him, I kicked off my shoe and hooked my toes into one of the unused shelves, gaining a bit more height. “I’ve almost got it,” I insisted out loud. “I survived the end of the world. I can survive tying up a bow.”
“Vox!” he yelled, turning to the Air Fae, who had just walked in with Sol on his heels. “Help me get her down.”
Titus rubbed his temples. “Will someone talk some sense into her before we yank her down with Vox’s faulty magic?”
“My magic is fine,” Vox replied, glaring at the Fire Fae. His element only acted up when he became stressed or emotional—a side effect he’d never quite gotten over since mating with me. And given the panic flaying our bond, he was definitely feeling a bit emotional right now.
Exos entered last, his smirk a sharp contrast to the looks of raw panic from my other mates.
“Well, it looks like I was right,” he said, sounding amused. “Claire has officially entered phase two, and the child is definitely a troublemaker.” He slapped Cyrus on the back. “Well done, brother.”
Vox worked a careful strand of wind magic, swirling pressure around my body to give me a lift. The extra boost of height allowed me to loop the ribbon’s tassel through the slat, and I secured it before Vox guided me to the floor.
“There!” I said, slapping my hands together as I surveyed the finishing touch on my decorations. The massive red ribbon brought it all together. “Perfect.”