CH 284: How Did I Get Here?

Claire awoke in her room. For a moment she was confused and panicked. The last thing she remembered was beating down that werewolf. How the fuck did she get back home? Did she die? Is this a dream?

She shot up from her bed, sending her cat flying from her chest. A searing pain shot throughout her body as she keeled over. Her ears were ringing as the pain was overwhelming. She was seeing double as shadows ran towards her. She felt their familiar hands on her body. A mix of her companions and the unmistakable roughness of Jane’s hands.

“Easy, Claire.” Jane’s calm voice pierced through the ringing. Claire could focus on her mother’s tanned face. Beside her were Ursa and Lily, whose faces became clear after a moment. “You’ve been out for a long time. Drink.”

Claire licked her dry lips. Her mouth was so dry that she couldn’t even respond. Lily held the cup and eased water into her mouth. The water tasted better than anything she’d ever had in her life as it moistened her mouth. It eased the pain searing beneath her skin as she lay back.

“What happened?” Claire struggled to get out.

Jane glanced at Lily and Ursa. “Not sure about what happened before. But you were rushed here a couple of days ago, and have been asleep since.”

Lily nodded. She adjusted something that was out of Claire’s vision. “Ursa, do you mind?”

“Sure.” Ursa’s expression was full of relief. She stayed by Claire almost as close as her cat had been. Getting up to eat or use the bathroom, then returning. “After the fight, you passed out due to Her power… We raced to Restol, getting here in five days instead of a week. You’ve been asleep for 9 days…”

Claire tilted her head. Ursa seemed on the verge of tears, which was entirely new to hear. She processed the thought for a moment than lay her head back. “I see. Anyone else injured? Are the horses okay? Must have pushed them pretty hard.”

Jane smiled and took a deep breath. “Course. The horses are fine. They seem quite proud of themselves, actually. Pushed themselves to get you home.”

“Jazz was in a bad state for a couple of days,” Lily explained after finishing what she was doing. “Then she awoke as if nothing had happened. Victoria’s injuries disappeared within two days. Hannah and Elsie had healing fatigue, but they’ve shaken that off.”

Claire finally felt something poking into her left hand. She turned her head, sending another wave of pain through her. She raised her hand to find a needle and tubing stuck into the back of it. She blinked, unsure of what it even was.

“One last gift from Victoria,” Lily smiled. She moved the stand with the bag hanging off of it closer. “It allowed me to feed and hydrate you while you were asleep. One of the many inventions cities like Fyre have produced. Just stupid expensive to acquire…”

It felt weird to have the needle in her hand, just under her skin. Talking about food finally made Claire notice how empty her stomach was. It growled with hunger, causing her mother to laugh again.

“I’ll get you some food. Eve’s asleep, so I’ll see what I can make.” Jane slowly got off the bed. “Had to sedate her yesterday. She’d gone two days without sleep because of your state.”

“Sorry,” Claire mumbled. Her cat jumped back on top of her chest, blocking her view of her mother. It pawed at her chin, letting her know she didn’t like being thrown off.

“Ehh,” Jane shrugged, pausing at the door. “You just make us worry. We could not be more proud of you besides that.”

That made Claire feel better. Hearing her mother say that put some of the guilt she was feeling at ease. She shakily pet her cat and turned to her lovers. “Sorry for making you worry, too.”

“Nonsense,” Lily shook her head. “Better this than the alternative.”

“True,” Ursa was staring down Claire’s cat. Unbeknownst to Claire, the two had been silently fighting to be closer to her. “I doubt Jasmine, and I could have taken her after dealing with her human form.”

Claire stared at the ceiling as she recalled the events. The Goddess’s anger, the fight before, how close they all were to defeat. She slowly remembered more and more until it dawned on her. Ursa had been forced into her wolf form. She didn’t willingly transform. Without her lycanthropy, she would have died.

A cold, dreadful feeling overwhelmed Claire. Her hands shook, and the corner of her vision darkened. Her mouth dried, and she felt her breathing hasten. She stared at the Ravian before her, with her white hair and red eyes. The thought of permanently losing her froze Claire’s mind in shock completely.

Lily noticed her change immediately. She uncorked a potion and put it to Claire’s lips. “Drink. It will dull your senses.”

Claire shook her head. She didn’t want to dull her senses. She didn’t want to gloss over this feeling and the heaviness of it. She spat out the potion just before drinking it and batted it away. “I’m fine,” Claire said hoarsely.

“No, you aren’t,” Ursa pushed her back down, ignoring the hissing of her cat. “Your heart is racing.”

“I’m fine,” Claire pushed against Ursa and forced herself to sit up. Her cat jumped off her chest as she pulled at the needle in her hand. “I just need to-”

“Sit.” Lily slapped her hand. “You aren’t going anywhere yet.”

Claire paused. The harsh but authoritative tone made her stop. She stopped pulling against the needle in her hand and let Lily resettle it. “Sorry, I-I-I just-”

“I get it.” Lily shook her head. “But you are in no condition to get up yet. Lay down and let your body rest.”

“Your mom is bringing food,” Ursa whispered. It was strange to see the Ravian acting so softly. Made it easier to forget her earlier thoughts. “Eve is still asleep, though.”

Claire took a deep, shaky breath. The dreadful thoughts that took hold of her were slowly washing away with the thought of food. Why bother with the “what ifs” now? They were safe in Restol now. Even if the thoughts threatened to keep her up at night from now on. She fought away the previous thoughts to focus on the idea of food. It’d been forever since she had her mom’s food.

Sadly, Eve wasn’t the one who had cooked. It was Jane who made the food, and while she was an adequate cook, it was nothing like Eve’s. Still, on a stomach as empty as Claire’s, any food would taste utterly divine. She scarfed down the food, showing how starved she was. A full stomach more than distracted her from the dark and complicated thoughts from moments ago.

“That’s good,” Jane sighed as she picked up the dishes. She glanced at Lily, who was pursing her lips. “I’d be worried if she wasn’t hungry.”

Lily’s shoulders finally relaxed. She’d been worried about both Claire’s mental and physical state, but they were better than she feared. She was afraid Claire would wake up and remember nothing from that day, or before. Or she could have been paralyzed. Anything could happen with channeling a God into your mortal form.

“We’ll have to see,” Lily mumbled as she rubbed her eye. Eve wasn’t the only one who’d lost days of sleep because of the redhead. “I’m not seeing anything major besides the Divine Fatigue. Probably just very sore.”

“Well, I’ll let your companions know she’s awake.” Jane smiled at the alchemist. “I’m sure that will brighten her mood.”

“Why are you talking like I’m not here?” Claire looked up from her bowl of vegetables.

“Finish chewing before speaking, missie.” Jane chuckled and shook her head. “Might brighten Jasmine’s mood, too.”

“What’s that mean?” Claire tilted her head.

Ursa glanced at Lily, who sighed. “She’s still… cold. Like both to the touch and personality. It reminds me of when she returned. Victoria said it had something to do with her skills.”

Claire furrowed her brow as she tried to recall what Jasmine was like when she returned. She couldn’t remember much, since that was right after Ryley had been taken. That time was dominated by her own anger and anguish, so she didn’t really pay much attention to others besides her parents.

“Wait, how would Victoria know?” Claire’s mind felt fuzzy. “Jazz used skills she didn’t even tell us about.”

Lily just shrugged and shook her head. “No idea, Claire. She obviously knows a lot, Jasmine even confirmed it herself. I’m tired of asking that woman questions…”

Ursa nodded in solidarity. “Though she isn’t around to answer anything anymore. Left right after Toni was settled in Jasmine’s house.”

“Probably for the best,” Lily nodded. “Hannah explained further how Victoria’s involvement would affect the Efreits. Too much politics for me to care for.”

“Ah, Mom!” Claire caught Jane sneaking away. “Any word on the boys we saved?”

“That is a question for Elizabeth,” Jane shrugged. “I’ve been busy with the harvest.”

“No news is likely good news,” Lily sat on the bed finally. She moved the empty dishes to the nightstand and lay beside Claire. “If you don’t mind, I am too tired to return home.”

Claire smirked and pulled the covers up for her. Even if her arms ached and pain shot through her entire being, she would never turn down a chance to snuggle with one of her lovers. Lily curled up next to Claire and settled quickly. She let out a yawn as she rested her head on Claire’s chest.

“We really were worried for you,” Lily whispered. Her words were quiet and a bit slurred. The days of attending to her companion's medical needs were finally catching up to her. She yawned one more time before letting sleep take over. With one last conscious thought, she mumbled. “Glad you are okay, Claire.”

Claire smiled down at the purple-haired lady. She pulled off her glasses and handed them to Ursa. The Ravian dutifully took them and placed them on the nightstand. Then, she, too, cuddled up to Claire.

“Sorry for worrying you two,” Claire whispered as she raised her arm for Ursa to snuggle under. “Just glad we all made it.”

“Mhmm,” Ursa half-whispered, half-whimpered. “My people are also thankful such a powerful woman can no longer corrupt Rava’s gift. And I’m thankful you are okay.”

Claire chuckled and sank into the pillow. She let her own fatigue take hold of her as she drifted peacefully back to sleep.