A/N: Hello Merlin fandom! It's been about a year since I updated this story but as the anniversary of the end of the show is nearing, I thought I'd try to update this story. Leave a review if you want to see more from this fic:)
Arthur was still shaking with rage by the time he reached his bedchambers, unable to believe how his father was acting. Kahlan was giving her life for his, and Uther acted as if the sacrifice meant nothing. As if Kahlan meant nothing. How could he be so cold? Had he always been that way and Arthur was only just seeing it now? The blond came to a halt as he opened his chamber door to find Morgana sitting at Kahlan's bedside, tending to the young girl's fever. As their eyes met, Arthur could tell she had been crying, her cheeks red and blotchy.
"I knew this would happen. I knew that…" Morgana trailed off, with a sob.
"You couldn't have changed anything, Morgana. This isn't your fault" Arthur insisted, walking towards her.
"You don't understand, I saw…I had a nightmare…" Morgana stuttered, before clamping her mouth shut when she saw the confused look Arthur was giving her.
"We must do something" Morgana exclaimed, changing the subject quickly.
"Merlin is seeking out the sorceress responsible as we speak" Arthur confessed.
"By himself?" Morgana frowned, earning a sharp nod in return.
"I find myself having a strange amount of faith in my manservant. But we must ensure Kahlan survives until Merlin can act. How is she?" Arthur inquired, as they both looked down at the brunette, whose face was contorted in pain.
"I've tried to bandage her wound as best I can. It's…it's magic, isn't it?" Morgana guessed, in a shaky voice.
"She has given her life for mine" Arthur nodded, his jaw clenched.
"Merlin will figure something out. I know he will" Morgana exclaimed, though her tone betrayed her confidence.
"Is this what it will mean to be King? To watch the people I care about sacrifice themselves so I can see another sunrise?" Arthur muttered, kneeling beside the bed.
"No one said it would be easy, Arthur" Morgana pointed out.
"It's impossible. If this is what it takes to rule one day…I do not want it" Arthur shook his head, causing Morgana's eyes to soften.
"I will give you some time alone" Morgana announced, pushing herself to her feet, giving Kahlan's hand a quick squeeze before turning away from the pair.
Arthur came to sit on his bed, hearing the door quietly click close behind him, as he allowed his eyes to roam over Kahlan's sickly body. Her skin was as white as he had ever seen it, lips turning a blue colour, a thin layer of sweat coating her skin. She looked as though she already had one foot in the grave. And it was his fault. He could feel how he grew stronger as every minute passed, knowing that it meant Kahlan was also growing weaker. Her brow furrowed suddenly, face contorting in pain, uttering something, too quiet for Arthur to hear.
"Kahlan? I...I'm here" Arthur exclaimed, reaching out to take her hand in his, vaguely remembering her doing the same thing to him hours before.
"I need you to hold on. Just a little longer. Your Prince commands you" Arthur went on, giving her hand a squeeze, watching as her lips continued moving.
"...I'll change. I'll be the change your people need. If you just live, I promise that when I am King, things will be different. The Druids won't need to hide anymore. You won't need to. Camelot can be your home. I can be..." Arthur trailed off, running a hand over his face, finding his cheeks had grown wet with tears.
"It can't end like this" Arthur cried, bringing her hand close to his chest, as a sob racked through his chest.
"M-merlin" Kahlan mumbled, as Arthur's eyes snapped up to hers, finding she was still in the throws of her fever.
He rubbed at his bloodshot eyes, inhaling sharply, as he attempted to compose himself. Of course, Kahlan would want Merlin there. They were friends. He had always been there for her. Merlin was the one sacrificing himself for Kahlan at that very—
Did she realise that? Could she sense it somehow?
"He'll return. He'll save you. I know he will" Arthur told her, having more faith in his manservant than anyone.
"Emrys...can't..." Kahlan stuttered, grimacing in pain, as Arthur shushed her.
"It's alright, Kahlan. I promise. Everything will be alright. I'm here" Arthur insisted, reaching up to brush his fingers over her cheek, pushing her hair behind her ear.
Her lips stopped moving then, her forehead smoothing out, shoulders slumping as she finally seemed to relax. Arthur's eyes widened as he felt her squeezing his hand back, a small smile pulling at his lips, before he bent down to press a kiss to the back of her hand.
"I won't ever leave you" Arthur promised, softly.
As the sun began to set in the sky, Arthur had fallen asleep, remaining in the chair beside his bed, resting his head close to Kahlan's thigh. He kept their hands intertwined even as he slept, the only way that sleep could take him. He had been in a fitful sleep when Kahlan finally stirred, eyes fluttering open, instantly finding him by her side. She reached out for Arthur, her hand skimming through his blond hair, causing his head to snap up, mouth going slack when he saw her staring back at him.
"Sleeping on watch, Arthur?" Kahlan teased, as a wide grin broke out on Arthur's face.
She had been expecting an equally sarcastic retort, not for Arthur to suddenly surge forward, wrapping his arms around her shoulders, bringing her close to his chest. Kahlan brought her hands up to rest weakly on the small of his back, all but collapsing against him, still weak.
"Are you alright?" Kahlan asked, as Arthur pulled back, giving her a look of disbelief.
"I am now" Arthur replied, cupping her cheek with his hand, and leaning forward to rest their foreheads against each other.
"Did...did you mean what you said?" Kahlan inquired, making Arthur frown.
"You heard all that?" Arthur questioned, pulling back a little, as Kahlan nodded.
"I can't go home. The Druid's, Iseldir...he gave me a choice. I could stay with them, or help you" Kahlan explained, shakily.
"You chose...Camelot?" Arthur replied, in a soft tone, trying to find the right words.
"I chose you, idiot. I'd miss saving your royal arse too much" Kahlan smiled.
"I did mean it, Kahlan. Every word. Once I am King, you won't have to choose anymore. No one will" Arthur told her, as she leaned into his gentle touch.
"I hope so" Kahlan murmured.
Just as Arthur opened his mouth to speak, his chamber door was being thrown open, and Merlin came racing in, panting heavily. His whole face lit up the moment he saw Kahlan sat up in bed, letting out a laugh. She was alive. It had worked.
Thank you, Merlin.
The words echoed through his mind, Kahlan's voice clear as day, causing his smile to grow impossibly wider. His brows furrowed as he tried to concentrate, wanting to reply to her, even though he still had much to practice.
I couldn't let you die.
"Are you two just about done staring at each other now?" Arthur complained, not having heard the words exchanged by the pair.
Kahlan and Merlin couldn't stop the laughter that left both their lips, as despite the pain, and exhaustion they both felt...they were still alive. And at the end of the day, that was all that really mattered.
Four Months Later
Living in Camelot was different, to say the least. Kahlan had lived with the same few dozen people all her life. Things were simple with the Druid's. Sleep, eat, hunt, and try to avoid capture. Everyone in Camelot seemed so...free. Even the poorest of people in the lower town did not have the dark cloud looming over them that Kahlan had grown accustomed to. The fear that at any second her truth would be revealed and she would lose her head for it. But in the last few months, she had gained so much more. Friends. True friends that she felt she could rely on, that would die for her, as she would do for them. Even if—
A blood-curdling scream had Kahlan's head snapping up, shaking away her conflicted thoughts as she pushed herself to her feet. She raced out of the anteroom she had been dozing in, and entered Morgana's bedchamber's, finding her friend in a fit of panic, crying out her name over and over again. The fear didn't leave her face until Kahlan came into view, and Morgana grabbed her arms, pulling her into a tight hug, still shaking.
"It's alright, Morgana. Shhh. You're safe. You're safe now" Kahlan soothed her, wrapping her arms around Morgana's shoulders.
"I saw...I saw..." Morgana stuttered, as Kahlan began rubbing circles on her back with her hands.
"Calm yourself. Take a breath. Breathe with me now" Kahlan insisted, as Morgana slowly began to stop shaking.
"There was a raven. It looked right through me, I...what do you think it means?" Morgana mumbled, dropping her face into the crook of Kahlan's neck.
"Nothing that needs to be thought of on this night" Kahlan told her, pulling back.
"I'm sorry. I'm sure this isn't what you expected when you agreed to me my maid" Morgana sighed, averting her eyes to the floor.
"At least you know how to keep things interesting" Kahlan teased, as Morgana's lips twitched into a smile.
Moving to Camelot had meant also finding a job for herself. She had thought long and hard about the possibilities, which truthfully ranged from a cook to a maid. It was not as though a woman would ever be allowed to become a knight, or even a physician. Morgana had instantly asked for Kahlan to become a part of the Royal household, stating that with her nightmares returning, Gwen would not be able to cope alone with duties. In truth, Kahlan was happy with the arrangement. It meant she could afford a small house in the lower town and spend most of her days in the palace, laughing at Merlin's antics and sharing stolen glances with Arthur.
"Perhaps I can ask Gaius to bring you something stronger to aid your sleep" Kahlan suggested.
"Like a blow to the head?" Morgana scoffed.
"Such violent words from a lady" Kahlan mocked, nudging Morgana's arm.
"I'm glad you are here, Kahlan. Truthfully, I don't know how I would have coped these last months without you" Morgana admitted, placing her hand over Kahlan's, an adoring look in her eyes.
"You're welcome" Kahlan smiled, leaning forward to press a quick kiss to Morgana's forehead, before standing up from the bed, and blowing out the candle by Morgana's bed, missing how the older woman's face fell.
"...Will you stay with me tomorrow night?" Morgana asked, as Kahlan turned to her with a frown.
"Gwen is to be your maid tomorrow, is she not?" Kahlan pointed out, as Morgana dropped her gaze.
"You two used to be such close friends, Morgana. But lately...it is as if you can barely look at Gwen..." Kahlan trailed off, as Morgana opened her mouth to speak, but quickly clamped her lips shut.
"It is nothing. I...I should try to get some rest" Morgana stated, lying back down in bed, pulling her sheets up to her chest.
"Sleep well, my Lady" Kahlan mumbled, turning around, the frown still on her face.
Early the next morning, Kahlan was walking through the hallways of the castle, having been relieved by Gwen. She remembered the other woman being so happy and bubbly when she had first came to Camelot, but that too seemed to have changed. Perhaps it was due to Gwen's father dying, but Kahlan couldn't help but think it had more to do with the troubles in her relationship with Morgana. Suddenly, a body was colliding with her own, as bread and fruit was thrown to the ground, having been held by the other person on a platter.
"I think you get clumsier everyday, Merlin" Kahlan grinned, when she saw who it was, she had collided with.
"Oh, yes. That's it. Clumsy Merlin. Stupid Merlin. Merlin who saves the Prince's stupid life every day and gets no thanks for it" Merlin muttered, crouching down to pick up the food on the ground.
"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed" Kahlan snorted, kneeling down to help him, nonetheless.
"It's just this...prat that's started following Arthur around. He took the credit for saving him from a boar yesterday and then today, he's already served his breakfast. I always serve Arthur breakfast!" Merlin insisted, as Kahlan bit her lip to stop herself from laughing.
"And you, of course, are not jealous in the slightest" Kahlan grinned.
"Says the girl who's been pining after Arthur for months now" Merlin retorted, as she threw a grape at him.
"Arse" She complained, as they both stood up.
"Where are you off to in such a hurry anyway?" Merlin asked, eyes narrowed.
"Uh...nowhere. I'm just walking...normally" Kahlan lied.
"...You're going to see Arthur, aren't you?" Merlin realised, with pursed lips.
"He wanted to have breakfast together" Kahlan cringed, as Merlin rolled his eyes.
"Enjoy the stale bread Cedric's served" Merlin grumbled, storming off back to the kitchens.
"Have a good day, Merlin" Kahlan called after him, rushing away before he could scold her.
When Kahlan entered Arthur's chambers, she was met with the sight of a man, who she assumed was Cedric, placing a slice of ham on Arthur's, already full plate. She took in the appearance of the man, from his scraggly beard, to his shifty eyes, instantly feeling distrustful. She noted the way he also seemed to be staring at Arthur's backside until she saw how Arthur's keys lay over his hip. Of course, that had nothing to do with the fact that he had hurt Merlin's feelings. Well, maybe it did a little.
"Ah, Kahlan. I was worried you weren't coming" Arthur announced, instantly rising to his feet, and pulling out a chair at the table for her.
"When have I ever missed the opportunity for free food" Kahlan grinned, taking the seat he offered, as Arthur's smile grew.
"I didn't realise you were expecting a...guest, sire" Cedric muttered, all but glaring at Kahlan.
"And I didn't realise you were trying to replace Merlin" Kahlan exclaimed, as Arthur gave her a look of disbelief.
"I am not! Cedric is merely—" Arthur began, but Kahlan cut him off.
"Stepping on Merlin's toes" Kahlan finished, as Arthur let out a sigh, leaning back in his chair.
"Perhaps Kahlan is right, Cedric. Merlin is overly sensitive...I won't require any more assistance from you today" Arthur told him.
"But sire..." Cedric trailed off, when he saw the look Arthur shot him.
"Very well" Cedric grumbled, placing a plate down on the table and walking out of the room, slamming the door shut.
"What did Merlin say to you then?" Arthur asked, as Kahlan gave a small shrug.
"Are you sure you care?" Kahlan teased.
"Annoyingly enough, I do. I'd miss his nonsense and wittering" Arthur snorted, beginning to cut up the meat on his plate.
"...Why did you invite me here?" Kahlan couldn't help but ask.
"Cedric brought up too much food from the kitchens. I am simply thinking of my waistline" Arthur stated, taking a bite of the food in front of him.
"Ah. I would hate to see you lose your physique" Kahlan teased, grabbing a grape from off his plate.
"How is Morgana this morning? I heard her screams from my own chambers last night" Arthur inquired, unable to keep the concern from his tone.
"Her nightmares are returning. She rarely sleeps through the night anymore" Kahlan sighed.
"Meaning neither do you" Arthur pointed out, as Kahlan shrugged.
"I am her maid. It's my job" Kahlan mumbled.
"There are other noblemen and women you could work for" Arthur suggested, as she gave him a confused look.
"Such as?" She asked.
"Such as me, for instance" Arthur mumbled, turning his attention back to his food, not looking her in the eye.
"You are in need of a maid?" Kahlan giggled.
"Would it be so dreadful?" Arthur insisted, keeping his eyes averted.
"You already have Merlin" Kahlan went on.
"Well, perhaps it is you I want" Arthur confessed, eyes flickering up to hers.
"Arthur, don't" Kahlan said softly, as his bright blue eyes bored into hers.
"Don't want?" He asked, innocently.
"Look at me like that" She clarified, as his lips pulled into a smirk.
"Like what?" He pushed, leaning forward, his own eyes dropping to her mouth for a moment.
Kahlan fell into a trance, finding she too was leaning forward on instinct, her heart beating quicker by the second. She could see how Arthur's breathing had sped up, eyes flickering from her own, back to her lips, as he inched closer agonisingly slow.
"...He wants your keys" Kahlan suddenly announced, causing Arthur's forehead to wrinkle.
"Cedric. He kept looking at your keys. He's playing you" Kahlan murmured, quickly pushing herself to her feet, trying to ignore the heat growing on her cheeks.
"Kahlan..." Arthur called after her, but she was already rushing toward the door, not listening to him.
As soon as she had closed the door, she let out a frustrated sigh. Those...moments had been happening more and more between her and Arthur. She wasn't sure how deep Arthur's feelings truly lied, but he was clearly attracted to her, and wanted to act on that attraction. But how could she let him? How would Arthur react if he knew what she was? Would he be disgusted to have such feelings for a sorceress?
"Don't laugh" Merlin ordered, as Kahlan arrived in his room, taking in the sight of him.
Gaius had called her to his chambers shortly before, stating Merlin was in desperate need of some companionship. Now seeing the horses' faeces smeared over his entire shirt and face, she could see why. Merlin looked absolutely miserable, trying to wipe the disgusting substance from his cheek.
"They throw shit now in the stocks?" Kahlan asked, making Merlin snort.
"I...I fell asleep in the stables. I think. I'm not sure. All I do know is that Arthur thinks I'm an idiot" Merlin muttered, as Kahlan moved to sit next to him.
"He doesn't" She retorted, grabbing the cloth for his hand.
"He'll never see me for who I really am" Merlin sighed, as she started wiping the muck off his chin.
"Maybe that's a good thing. Arthur is...special. But if he knew who we were...I'm not sure he would understand" Kahlan confessed.
"Everything I do is for him" Merlin went on, as Kahlan continued washing his face.
"He's not going to replace you, alright? I promise. I won't let him do something so boneheaded" Kahlan insisted.
"He's lucky to have you" Merlin suggested.
"And so are you" She responded, chucking the rag at Merlin's face, making him laugh.
"If I want to throw a bucket of manure over Cedric, will you help me?" Merlin asked.
"Do you really need to ask?" Kahlan grinned, as a smile grew on Merlin's face.
He moved closer to her, dropping his head onto her shoulder, and shutting his eyes, feeling content. No one understood him as she did, and vice versa. As long as he had Kahlan, he was sure things would be alright.
"How was your day, my Lady?" Kahlan asked, as she brushed Morgana's hair the following evening.
"There's no need for such formalities between us, Kahlan. Not in private or public" Morgana insisted, her eyes flickering to the maid who was gathering her dinner plates to take to the kitchen.
"I do not think the King would agree" Kahlan stated, watching as the maid was quick to excuse herself.
"Uther's ways are as backward as he is" Morgana muttered, as Kahlan's eyes widened.
"Morgana! You shouldn't say such things" Kahlan chastised her, making Morgana snort.
"Coming from the most inappropriate woman I have ever met" Morgana smirked.
"You make my manner sound so...sordid" Kahlan scoffed, as Morgana shrugged.
"I rather like your manner" Morgana admitted, catching her eyes in the mirror.
A sudden screeching sound had the hairbrush in Kahlan's hand dropping to the floor, causing both women to flinch. Kahlan rushed toward Morgana's window, her jaw dropping open to find a creature flying through the sky. She narrowed her eyes, trying to get a closer look at the beast when it turned and began flying toward them. Kahlan let out a cry as she saw it was one of the gargoyles that usually stood atop the castle. A stone gargoyle. The beast continued flying toward the castle, changing it's direction a moment before it would have collided with the wall, realising it wouldn't have fit through Morgana's window.
"What is that thing?" Morgana gaped, coming to stand beside her.
"Sorcery" Kahlan exclaimed.
By the time the two women made it to the Great Hall, they were already dozens of injured men being carried in, dripping blood all over the stone floor. Kahlan froze for a moment, fear gripping her, knowing whoever had cast a spell over the gargoyles was no ordinary sorcerer. They would certainly be too powerful for her to beat. Camelot's only hope was Merlin. Kahlan quickly spotted Gaius tending to a man's wounds, rushing over to him without a second thought.
"Where's Merlin?" Kahlan asked.
"Locked away in the dungeons. He attacked a man in Arthur's bedchambers" Gaius informed her, as she let out a groan.
"I'm gonna' kill that boy" Kahlan grumbled.
"You won't need to. Those things will get into the castle eventually. The dungeons may be the safest place for him" Gaius explained, as Kahlan realised that was why the old man hadn't released him already.
"Morgana? You shouldn't be here. You need your rest" Gaius scolded, spotting the older woman.
"As if I could sleep with this going on" Morgana retorted, grabbing a cloth and helping to stem the bleeding from another man close by.
A knight.
"Please tell me Arthur's not out there" Kahlan exclaimed, as Gaius gave her a look.
With a shake of her head, Kahlan reached out to take the knight's discarded sword, and was running toward the door on the far side of the hall, ignoring Morgana's shouts. With Merlin unable to protect Arthur, it was up to her now.
Kahlan realised almost immediately that Arthur did not make Merlin's job easy. She gasped as she saw him trying to push himself up from the ground, blood dripping from his chainmail, as one of the gargoyles approached him, it's claws ready to strike. Instinctively, Kahlan threw the sword through the air, as it struck the beast's wing, causing it to let out a yelp and fly off into the sky, but it remained uninjured. If not even steel could fight against the beasts, what hope did they have?
"Kahlan?! You can't be out here! It's too dangerous—" Arthur began, as Kahlan cut him off.
"I see that!" She cried, suddenly throwing herself at him, as they tumbled to the floor, narrowly missing the gargoyle that had been flying toward them.
Arthur let out a groan as Kahlan fell atop him, her body pressed flush up against him. The two let out a sigh of relief as they realised they were both still alive. A moment later, Kahlan realised that she was still on top of Arthur, their faces so close she could feel his shallow breaths against her cheek.
"Sorry" She mumbled, as his eyes again dropped to her lips.
"Don't move on my account" Arthur replied, cheekily.
"Come on" She scoffed, pushing herself off of him, and helping to haul him up onto his feet.
"Don't mention to Merlin that you saved my life" Arthur grumbled, as she pulled his arm over her shoulder.
"Again" She smirked, as they began stumbling back toward the castle.
She had to drag Arthur toward the hall where the injured were, insisting if he didn't have his wound patched up he would pass out before he could help anyone. She led him to sit on one of the tables, grimacing as he let out a low groan, clearly in pain, though he denied it. Kahlan could see how blood continued running down his chainmail, wondering just how deep the wound was.
"I need you to take that off" She commanded, making Arthur grin.
"Such an invitation" He murmured, as she rolled her eyes.
"I'm serious. I need to dress your wounds" Kahlan insisted, as he shook his head.
"No. I...I need to get back to the battle. Do what you can" Arthur retorted, as she pursed her lips.
"I hate you sometimes" She muttered, grabbing a nearby bandage.
"No. You don't" Arthur stated, softly, catching her hand, and intertwining their fingers together.
"Are you in pain?" Kahlan inquired, wondering if that was why he seemed to be seeking comfort.
"Nothing a kiss could not solve" Arthur informed her, as she let out a scoff, a blush rising on her cheeks.
"You are delirious" She mumbled, as he pulled her hand to his chest.
"Perhaps" He replied, his grin widening as he saw the way her blush grew down her neck.
"Thank the Gods you are both alright!" Morgana exclaimed, rushing over to them, as Arthur reluctantly dropped her hand, though Morgana had still seen the action.
"Barely. The Prince appears to have a death wish" Kahlan scolded, as she began to bandage Arthur's chest, with Morgana's help.
Uther suddenly appeared a moment later, making a beeline for his son, a look of horror dawning on his face when he saw Arthur was injured. The blond was quick to insist he was fine, much to Kahlan's displeasure. Morgana noted the way Kahlan's shoulders had tensed as soon as Uther arrived, hating being so near to the King.
"I'm sealing the citadel" Uther announced, as Kahlan shared a look with Arthur.
"You can't" He frowned.
"I have no choice. I have to protect those who have a chance. If I don't, we will all fall...where are you going?" Uther gaped, as Arthur pushed himself to his feet, as Kahlan tied off the end of the bandage.
There are people trapped on the drawbridge. I'm not leaving them to die" Arthur exclaimed, grabbing his sword, and brushing away Kahlan's hands.
"I forbid it!" Uther insisted, grabbing his son's arm.
"You cannot stop me" Arthur muttered, tugging his arm away.
"You are the Prince. You cannot sacrifice yourself for a few commoners!" Uther pleaded, as Arthur shook his head.
"They are my people. They are yours too, only it seems you have forgotten that" Arthur retorted, glancing to Kahlan quickly, before he turned to leave the hall, as half a dozen knights went to bravely follow him.
It took Kahlan only a few seconds before her choice was made. If Arthur were to die that night, she would die beside him. Before the doors could be shut, she shoved her way outside into the cold night. She went to rush after the group who were already halfway through the courtyard when a gargoyle intercepted her, screeching loudly. With no weapon, Kahlan held her hands up, as her eyes glowed a bright golden colour.
"Astrice!" She cried, as the gargoyle let out a yelp before exploding, pieces of stone flying in every direction.
Knowing she was able to kill the beasts with her magic, she pushed on toward the drawbridge, frowning when she saw some of the knights racing back toward her. They yelled at her to run, but she simply pushed past them, already having decided she would not leave Arthur. As she neared the drawbridge, she was quick to find Arthur raising his sword in the air, as two gargoyles advanced on him. He twisted around when he heard her footsteps, shaking his head when he saw who had arrived.
"Kahlan. Go back! That's an order!" Arthur cried.
"I'm sorry, Arthur. I really am" Kahlan told him, making him frown, as she came to stand beside him.
She then raised her hand in the air, taking a deep breath, as she knew everything was about to change. She could either lose Arthur or let him lose his life. There was no contest.
"I hope one day you will forgive me" She sighed, as her eyes changed to their golden colour.
She watched as all the colour drained from Arthur's face, mouth going slack. He stumbled backwards a step, clutching at the sword still in his hand, which she could see was shaking. The look of care, of trust, that she had grown used to in his eyes was long gone. Only hurt remained. Kahlan then turned to the gargoyles who had continued to advance, now looming over the pair.
"Astrice!" She exclaimed, as the creatures blew apart, with nothing more than a flick of her hand.
Things were never going to be the same.