Page 40 of Crown and Dragon

“So many somethings are off.”

“I’m going to attempt to kill the minotaur, and then I’ll drive through the damn floor and get to you.”

“Sounds lovely. Happy hunting, dear,” she said, hoping her teasing tone covered the fear inching up her back like a horribly large spider. She took a shuddering breath.

Marius’s grumble faded into the recesses of her ears as Fara’s voice came through once more.

“Did it work?” Fara asked. “Did you cut him off yourself?”

“I think so? I have no clue how this is working.”

“The herbwitch said something about intention and need.”

“Fine. Whatever. Can she tell me how to get my Weaver magic back out here past the Veil?”

“Let me ask,” Fara said.

Tahlia frowned into the dark. “Are you eating?”

“Just a crystal cake. Look, I need energy to help you, all right?”

Tahlia snorted and shook her head, but she wasn’t irritated. She was just so glad not to be alone in the dark. She took another deep inhale of the sea breeze and tried not to panic about being stuck and about Marius battling a bull-man.

“Have you tried meditating to try to get your weird little lines back?” Fara asked.

“No, my head is just now clearing from the hard hit when I fell, and there hasn’t been time for it in the chaos of this city. You should see the humans, Fara. They’re so relaxed and always laughing.”

“Well, you’re seeing them during a festival.”

“I think they’re like this though. Full of jokes and not nearly as uptight as us Fae.”

“Us Fae?”

“You know I always felt more Fae than human,” Tahlia said.

“Do you still feel that way?” Fara asked.

Tahlia chewed the inside of her cheek. Maybe not. Maybe she did feel more of a natural connection to these humans. “I’m not sure. Let’s move on to this meditation idea.”

“All right. So in Healer training, they taught me that slow, steady breathing actually lowers your heart rate and helps you think more clearly. Perhaps that would help your magic?”

“I’ll give it a go. Will you stay with me?” Tahlia hated that she sounded so needy, but losing a chunk of her pride was nothing to being alone in the dark.

“We aren’t going anywhere,” Lija said, speaking over Fara shouting, “Of course!”

A smile pulled at Tahlia’s lips, and she sat up. “Any tips on how to do this?”

“Sit with a straight spine if you’re able,” Fara said. “How are your injuries at the moment?”

“I’ll live. All right, I’m sitting. What else?”

“Breathe in for four counts, hold it for four, release it in four counts, then pause for four, and begin again. Close your eyes.”

“It’s so dark. It won’t make much of a difference.”

“It cues your body to relax because everyone closes their eyes to sleep.”

“I can sleep with my eyes open,” Lija said, her voice sounding a little farther away than Fara’s now.

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