.Elementals.

-23-

A bump shook me awake, having fallen asleep instead of doing my job.

I was slightly ashamed at that but I know if trouble was on the horizon I'd have felt Amalia's wake up call.

We six knew how each others magic felt from the time around each other and depending on what pulse of it we let out we could speak wordlessly, that's how I knew of her troubles at the castle while we hid in the maze.

I flexed my hands gently, the slimy feeling much less, it getting absorbed, if I didn't need to limit myself in my output of magic to save my secrets I wouldn't have gotten burnt, the heated magic being blasted out but holding back kept part of the super heated magic in my palms and skin, scorching it badly despite how lightly I put it.

"Why hello mage, you awake?"

I snapped my eyes up tried to sit but was stopped by the princess, how the fuck did I end up laying down on the banquet and with her sitting on this side, Em would throw a fit to know I have my head on her legs.

"Highness." I said, not knowing what else too since she did stop me from sitting up from my confusing position.

"It isn't a surprise you doze off with your injuries, they take a lot to heal."

"Right but why are we in this situation?"

"I thought sleeping sitting up with the carriage shaking can't do you no good and I wanted to be sure you wouldn't fall."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"Highness you didn't need to get yourself trapped under my head for that."

"None sense, how would I have been close enough to be sure to stop you from falling at the barest shoves plus I would hope I am more comfortable than the wooden banquet with the hint of a cushion." I chuckled softly, amused by her priorities.

"Alright Highness you win this round, yes indeed your legs are softer than the hint of a cushion if that reassures you."

"Good to hear."

"You sure are preoccupied by the most unimportant things, instead of worrying that I am not awake to guard you you worry about my comfort."

"What can I say mage I would prefer you in one piece than in pieces."

"Trust me, me too, I enjoy feeling all my body parts attached." A yawn escaped my mouth.

"Sleep on mage it is light we can talk later."

I glanced through the carriage window, the moon light was strong enough to keep me from truly realizing it was night but I didn't make it hard on the princess to refuse and complain, knowing very well she wouldn't drop the subject until the sun rose to deny her request by shining its rays in here.

I dreamed of home and the elm tree, a white haze on the edge of my vision as a hand reach through the bark, all made of wood but I felt that if I touched it it would feel soft as flesh and skin.

I reached for it but before my hand could make contact I was shook.

I groaned softly at the disturbance as the carriage jumped again because of rocky terrain, I felt a hand on my shoulder and head, she sure was serious by making sure I wouldn't fall.

"If only this wasn't fate." I heard the princess say.

"Unfortunately it is." The queen's voice came, I decided to not open my eyes yet because I had the feeling I would interrupt a mother-daughter moment between them and who knows how little time they have with all the lessons the princess has to go too.

I even tried to fall back asleep but I couldn't so I was unintentionally eavesdropping because I just couldn't ignore the princess passing her hand through my mess of a hair, last time someone did this was still with my mother.

"I know that mother but this tournament is just.... It is for nothing."

"I know my child but what's done is done, lets just hope she can indeed make it through."

"I wish we could just cancel all and tell them I got her."

"That cannot be done."

"I know mother but this is so unnecessary."

"I know dear but if you want her believe in her strength, it is the best choice you could have made in my opinion."

"Really?"

"Really, from what I know of her you be off for the best in all the ways possible."

"Thank you mother." All this 'she' and 'her' talk. Is there a suitor she actually likes? I should look out for them and help along in the tournament in that case.

That thought wanted to bring a frown to my face but I held it in but before they could get back to their discussion the coachman must have drove over something that came out of nowhere because the back wheel riding over it just slightly lifted me up, just slightly, still feeling the thin cushioning of the banquet but this soft shock was uncomfortable for my hand to reach up to my ribs by reflex.

I instantly felt the hand pull back from my hair, already missing the long forgotten feeling of that gesture.

"The road is getting rocky so we know we are arriving back, I am surprised you remained asleep mage Mystery." The queen said as I sat up, princess helping slightly.

"These few days really took a toll on my body Majesty." I said gently, dropping my hand from my side.

"It is perfectly understandable, I'd advise you to take a day away from work before helping with the preparations to gain back your strength."

"If you'd let me I don't think I'd complain."

"I wouldn't want one of my mages to hurt themselves because they haven't taken a bit of time to regain strength."

I nodded and glanced outside.

I can't wait to get home.