Chapter 31: Aftermath
They were having hot chocolate and Christmas cake.
Despite the hour nobody seemed tired and, if anything, the mood seemed to increase as the time passed.
Joanie-Ellen only half listened as Camille, Jade and Slam remembered precious adventures. Breeze and Angelica had stayed behind in the wingdom with Dame Skyla as she had to return to court to tell everybody that, for now, everybody was safe. Joanie shivered at the word and sighed. She looked towards the backdoor with a knot in her throat.
She was never going to be the same again.
Hearing her name Joanie glanced towards Slam but caught only half of his sentence.
"... first tonight!" He said in her direction. "None of us have ever drawn blood from Skyclone."
Joanie raised an eyebrow and glanced at her hands. She had a mind-piercing headache.
"I'm not proud of it." She muttered into her mug.
Camille smiled gently. "We know you're not sister." She said. Jade, who was the closest to the girl rested her hand on her shoulder.
"But we are proud of you for doing it." She added. "You were very brave Joanie."
The girl blinked startled and blushed. She shifted uncomfortably and studied the floor. She didn't know what to say to that. Jade gave her a sideways hug and stood up to get herself another mug of hot chocolate. Joanie watched her movements and shifted. When she saw the students' attention drifting away from her, Joanie stood up and went out the backdoor.
Queen Skyla squeezed the cold hand in her lap.
"You don't have to give me an answer immediately my Lord." She said softly as she stared at the man's passive face. "But please think on it. I would hate to see it end this way."
The man didn't respond to her voice, nor did he look at her.
Skyla sighed and glanced at the Tinker who stood just out of sight of the bed. The old man sighed and shook his head. Skyla grimaced and stood up.
"I will come to see you again tomorrow." She said softly. "Sleep well Lord Weirmon."
The man took a deep breath and turned back on her.
Giving him a sad look Skyla tiredly accepted the hand the Tinker offered her and left the Infirmary.