Chapter Thirteen

Thump. Thump.

Flora could hear her heart throbbing echo in her ear drums as she panted out for gasps of air. After sprinting out of her home, leaving a speechless and concerned Miele behind, Flora's mind had become blank as her instincts took over. Her body had truly switched into flight mode. Her hands, though still trembling, had made themselves into fists. Her nails dug into her skin as beads of sweat lined her forehead.

Hollow.

That was the only word that Flora could resonate with. She had no idea how long she was running, or where she had led herself until her legs had finally given out on her.

Thump. Thump.

A fit of coughs succumbed to the girl as she attempted to use her hands to steady herself off the ground. Her loose strands of hair fell around her face, hiding the tears that fell from her flushed face.

Deep breaths… she told herself.

Biting her lower-lip, Flora worked to regulate her breathing. Her leafy green eyes narrowed as her vision remained blurry from her tears, and her arms shaking underneath her to support her weight.

A princess... Flora's mind traced back to her sister's words and bemused expression. The thought of her beloved Miele softened Flora's expression. That is until a single word flashed in her mind.

Magic.

Never had a single word felt so- so…dangerous.

So wrong.

Flora shook her head, as if to erase the existence of the very thing from her mind. In the process of doing so her eyes landed onto her dress. After a few more breaths, Flora was able to reconfigure herself into a sitting position. Taking care to not allow her fingers to make contact with the cloth that clothed her, but her eyes never once dashing off the layers of pink.

"What are you doing here, dear?" The sudden voice left Flora to suddenly jump and shake with more anxiety. "Flora," the same voice tried again.

Slowly Flora opened one eye to see who was addressing her, only to find her face automatically flushed with embarrassment. "Papa!"

Papa, Saffron, offered a kind smile as he approached his daughter. His long red hair escaped his ponytail and his clothing and shoes were dirty from spending the day deep in the woods. "I would offer a hug, but it looks like you are on your way to a ball." His lips turned into a playful grin as he anticipated a cheeky response from his daughter. But when never came his expression altered, his eyes landing on her balled and trembling hands. "What's the matter, Flora."

"I…" Flora stammered, words escaping her. "Dane asked me to join him at this lunch affair they are having today…" Through her jumbled mental state, Flora begins to recount the series of events leading her to the present. "...I don't know what happened…then Miele," Flora forced a laugh as she pushed through to get out the rest of her statement. "She called it magic…but that's- that's crazy…"

There was a pause. "Please tell me that's crazy."

Flora's eyes scanned Saffron's for reassurance. A man of science would definitely agree that a feat like magic would be the absolutely unlikely explanation imageable. Instead her papa's face grew serious, his bushy brows knit together.

"You know that there was always that chance…" His eyes grew soft as he cupped Flora's face and brushed away dried tears. "Things happen for a reason, my sweet blossom. You are right it could very well be nothing…" He paused, his eyes narrowed as he shook his head. "No more thinking about what happened, okay? Focus only on this moment, and from the sounds of things your friend is waiting for you. I'm sure you are going to need to keep Dane from getting into trouble."

Flora sniffed, "Yeah. You're right."

Saffron nodded, "Good. Now go- relax, and enjoy the desserts for me. Chef Lupin has been using my personal garden as his own market for this lunch. I at least want to hear how delicious my cherries are."

Drying her tears, Flora offered a small nod as she began to recollect herself and slowly stroll her way down towards the castle.

As soon as his daughter was out of view, Saffron gripped his head. "We had a feeling this could happen. I'll call Rhodos and tell him he needs to come home early, he is going to want to be here for this. She's awakening.."


Pacing from the bed Musa was resting in, heels clattered against the wooden floor echoing in the space. That is until a strong voice cut through the clatter. "You will want to take things slow for the rest of the day. I was going to ask if you would be willing to perform, however you should probably refrain from such and then use any magic until your strength comes back."

Musa made a face as her so-called grandmother slowly applied a cool cloth to her forehead. "I'll do that." Her voice was coated in acid as she scrunched up her nose at the elderly woman. Musa's long fingers danced across the cool cloth that rested on her forehead damping her bangs. Her back recoiled from its place amongst squishy pillows coated in linens so soft that she was certain cost more than her school uniform.

Musa's grandmother, Fifer, made a face. "That tone isn't befitting for a young lady. Neverminded anywhere near appropriate to use…"

"Funny. I would have thought it was far, far more inappropriate for a queen to abandon her child and his wife for twenty-years!" Musa's fingers dig into the soft, damp cloth that slowly wigged over her arched eyebrows. Her lips twitching into a thin, pursed line that much to her own chagrin mirrored her grandmother's own face.

With her eyes narrow in scrutiny, Musa studied Fifer with interest. The last thing the ebony haired teen recalled was coming face-to-face with her so-called grandmother after over a decade and being filled with pure range. The next? Her head spinning and body aching as she woke up in the plush bed she now found herself. But unfortunately for Musa, she wasn't alone as her grandmother had been sitting in an armchair waiting for her to awake.

Since then, much to Musa's surprise and annoyance, Fifer had been flocking around Musa. Despite Fifer's station, and impossibly long nails, she hadn't hailed a medic nor a maid- or whatever term they preferred to be addressed as- to assist. Rather, the elder woman had taken it upon herself to tend to Musa. Even despite Musa's own instances that she was capable and well. But Fifer wouldn't hear of any of it as she examined Musa and brewed a healing tea.

For a moment, almost ever so briefly, did Musa catch a glimpse at what could resemble something of a caring maternal figure. But that thought was fleeting the moment Fifer began to speak and the blissful illusion was shattered.

The skin between her eyes creased as Fifer's eyes squinted shut, she swayed her head slightly as a sigh became audible. "For the love of the Dragon.." Her posture, that had been defense, softened as she adjusted the frames parched on the bridge of her nose. Her eyes lowered along with her voice. "My dear, there are many things you will come to learn. One I hope you learn quickly is that things aren't always how they appear and simplicity is as murky as a single perspective."

Just as Musa was about to open her mouth to retort, Fifer raised a single finger. "I understand there are levels of complication to be had between yourself and I. There will come a place and time when, perhaps, we might find a way to at the very least coexist in some manner of harmony. Given you are willing to have a sparring match with words, I can safely assume the tea has helped you regain enough energy to function properly. Am I correct with that assumption?"

Musa's brows furrowed, "I suppose…"

Fifer clapped her hands together, "Linphea truly has something going for it with their concoctions. Perhaps I will need to secure a supply for the royal guards along with myself."

Musa, who now was able to secure herself in a sitting position, made a face. Was she really going to lament on tea?

From her peripheral vision, Fifer caught a glimpse of Musa's deadpan expression. There was no mistaking the similar characteristics shared between father and daughter. Offering the raven-haired teen a look of warning, Fifer refocused and resumed her original train of thought upon clearing her throat.

"Very good. Now, let us discuss the reason we find ourselves in Linphea today. I do hope you are willing to listen and consider my words before drawing a rash consultation as you have done earlier. You might find this a very…interesting opportunity."


"Bloom…Bloom…"


Authoress' Notes: Hello, long-time no update. Yes, I am aware. But I haven't forgotten about this story and am working towards turning out the rest of book one. This was another big chapter as things are slowly being set into motion. Hang in there Musa and Flora, things have yet to begin! As this is AU we will be introduced to several original characters to help our characters and create the world of Magix! I hoped you enjoyed meeting Musa's grandmother, Fifer and Flora's papa, Saffron. Her other father, Rhodos will also be appearing soon. That's right, Flora is from a two father household and they are honestly the sweetest. As the series progresses their importance increases. So they are around for the long-haul!