It had been the longest night of Cordelia's life. She had never felt so tired. At the same time she had never been more aware. Every part of her was humming with a buzzing energy. She hadn't felt this way since The Seven Wonders. A part of her that had been missing had been recovered. It felt like everything could be all right again.
She was in the back seat of her car. Zoe was driving and Kyle was in the front passenger's seat. No one spoke. The only sound was the hum of the engine and the thwack of the windscreen wipers. Cordelia had draped a blanket over Misty and had her arm around her, rubbing the blanket, trying to warm her up. Misty's head rested on Cordelia's shoulder. Her wet body was pressed against Cordelia's and Cordelia could feel her chest moving up and down with her breathing. It was a very good feeling. They were both soaked with mud and rain. Misty's wet hair was dripping. Cordelia felt Misty shiver.
"Go as fast as you can, Zoe," Cordelia said. "She's freezing."
"We all are" said Zoe.
Cordelia brushed the straggly hair out of Misty's eyes with her fingertips. She still had the fawn's blood on her hands and under her fingernails. Misty's face with still streaked with mud. Her eyes turned up towards Cordelia but she did not move. Cordelia looked into her dark eyes. They had been so full of anguish in that classroom. Now they just looked very tired. She smiled and kissed Misty on her forehead.
"I'm so glad you're okay," she said.
Misty looked up into her face for a moment longer, then she closed her eyes and nuzzled her head back into Cordelia's shoulder. She slid her arm around Cordelia's waist. The car drove on and on. The lights of New Orleans occasionally lit up Misty's blonde curls or flitted across the lily white, mud splattered skin of her upper arm. Cordelia couldn't tell if she was sleeping or not, so she stayed as still as she could for the rest of the journey home.
Finally they pulled up at the front of The Academy. Kyle hopped out and opened the door for Cordelia, who gently helped Misty out of the car. The rain had stopped and some of the warmth had returned to the night. Zoe and Kyle led the way through the large front gates up to the front door, where Queenie was waiting for them. Her eyes widened when she saw Misty and she shot a questioning look at Zoe.
"I'll explain later," said Cordelia. "You and Zoe might have to take charge around here for a little while."
She left the three of them at the front entrance and started to lead Misty up the long flight of stairs to her bedroom. She kept her arm around Misty's shoulders as they ascended the stairs. Finally they reached her bedroom. She closed the door behind them.
"We need to get you out of these wet clothes and into a warm shower," said Cordelia.
Misty was wearing the same clothes she had entered hell in, including the shawl given to her by Stevie Nicks. Cordelia lead Misty by her hand into her ensuite and then went to fetch a towel. When she returned, Misty was still standing in the same position she had left her in, a faraway look on her face. Cordelia put the towel on the vanity. She walked up to Misty and smiled.
"I'll leave you to it then shall I?" she said, and began to walk out the door.
Misty's grabbed Cordelia by the upper arm. Her face had lost its blank expression. Fear had returned to her eyes.
"Don't leave me alone!" she said. "Please Miss Cordelia."
Cordelia turned back towards Misty immediately. She cradled her face in her hands. Brushed the hair from her eyes.
"It's okay, it's okay, I'm not going anywhere," she said.
Then she smiled.
"I know what will make you feel better," she said.
Misty watched her closely as she went into her bedroom and returned with her ipod. She placed it on the dock on her vanity and scrolled though the titles.
"Here we are," she said.
A song familiar to both of them began to play.
"Rhiannon rings like a bell through the night, and wouldn't you love to love her?" sang Stevie Nicks.
Cordelia turned back to Misty and smiled.
Misty smiled back.