Claire awoke, the evening sun and the familiar scent of her nanny making her feel like she was a child, waking from an afternoon nap. She stretched, then lay back, eyes closed, as she drank in the smell of herbs that always accompanied Marissa. She desperately wanted to stay there, in that state of childhood bliss, yet all too soon the world barged in, her memories filling her. She laid her hand on her still flat stomach, hardly believing that a child now grew inside her. Claire rolled to her side, curling into a ball, thoughts racing through her mind. She tried to stay calm; she was safe for the moment, yet she knew the minute she stepped out of this bed, she would have to face the truth.
Marissa knocked on the door and came in, a steaming cup of tea in her hands. She stroked Claire's hair back, just as she always did when she was a child, bringing her a cup of warm milk when she awoke. Calrie sat up, carefully taking the earthen mug and blowing on the light brown liquid before taking a sip. It tasted of apples and cinnamon with honey for sweetness. She slowly sipped it, focusing all her attention on the warmth of the cup in her hand. Marissa said nothing, her weary gaze drifting to the window where a light breeze ruffled the curtains. When she was done, Claire placed the mug on the simple table at the bedside.
Marissa turned at the sound, a small smile on her lips, yet it slowly fell as they both realised that it was time to face reality. The nanny sighed, taking one of Claire's hands in her own. "Your two hands used to fit in one palm," she began, "and now they are almost as big as mine but thankfully still smooth from youth." She inhaled, needing to fortify herself. "I sent a message to your parents. I know the master and mistress are worried sick about you, so I told them you were with me. I also told them what happened, not the details," she quickly added when she saw Claire's face. "Yet I needed to let them know the circumstances so they could decide what to do. I said that you can stay with me. I would be happy to take care of you and the young one." She gently laid a hand on her arm. "You will be safe here. I can use my magic to make a barrier so that only those we wish can find us."
Hearing talk of magic, Claire turned her eyes to her nanny. "Since went did you use magic? Are you a witch? You never said anything, and you always told me we were best of friends." Claire pouted like a child, and the older woman laughed, pinching her cheeks. "I'm not a full witch, but half. My father was a great wizard and he fell in love with a mere mortal. I am their only child. Witches and wizards usually begin to show their magic at the age of five, yet I didn't. They waited two years, and when none appeared, my parents were actually glad, for at that time those with magic were under threat of death and torture. My powers did show up when I was twelve, but my father only lived for three years, teaching me as much as he could before he was captured and thrown in prison. My mother ran away with me, it was my father's last request. We wandered around until she got sick from us hiding in a very cold country and her excessive work. I dug her grave with my own two hands." She said, grief filling her voice as she looked at her curled fingers as if she could still see the dirt and feel the cold. Claire placed her hands on hers.
"How did you end up as my nanny?" Marissa shook her head, releasing the memory so it could return to the chest she had kept it in, within her mind and heart. I left the next spring as soon as the roads were cleared for travel and wandered around. I did odd jobs, cooking, cleaning, I even assisted a midwife for a few months, learning all I could. One day, I heard that your parents were looking for workers and I knocked on their door that very evening. They took one look at me and hired me as a maid on the spot. They only asked a few questions before leading me up to the attic and giving me the room I had. A few months later, we all found out the mistress was with child, and then you were born, me helping with the birth. The first time I held you, I felt like a bond was formed. It took a few days, but you never liked anyone else holding you but me and your parents, so I became your nanny."
Claire whispered, "Nanny, I'm sorry that you lost your parents, but I am glad that your life's journey led you to me." The two women embraced, eyes filled with tears. Nanny got up, wiping her eyes. "Enough of that, how about you come to the kitchen and let us make dinner. While the bread is baking, we can take a little walk. T'would be good for you to stretch your legs." They went to the kitchen to do just that.
Dinner was simple, rabbit stew with fresh bread, the earlier walk giving Claire an appetite. They ate in companionable silence, Claire offering to clean up. When everything was dried and put away, Claire sat in the little sofa, big enough to fit two people, while Marissa sat in a rocking chair close to the large window. The moon played peek-a-boo with the clouds, the sound of an owl a fitting background. Marissa asked, her eyes never leaving the knitting she was doing. "So my little one, what are you going to do?"
Claire took a deep breath, knowing that she couldn't run from the question. "I'm going back home, to face my parents, my mate and that bastard who ruined me." Marissa nodded. "We'll leave in a few days. My powers will be restored by then." At Claire's look of confusion, the older woman chuckled, "Half witch, remember? My powers may be great like a full-fledged witch, but they run out quickly. I only use large spells when I need to." Clarie nodded, a sudden wave of sleepiness taking over. She yawned, covering her mouth, making Marissa smile and nod towards the bedroom. "Goodnight, little one. Tomorrow we will face it together." Claire went to bed, her dreams appearing to be covered with mist. She dreamt of "T", wanting to be with her, she dreamt of her parents' look of shame. "M"'s voice came from the edges of the darkness, whispering his claim on her. Her body began to shiver, but a warm glow pushed him away, settling on her like a warm blanket. Marissa sat by her sleeping form, gently stroking her hair, regretting that she had left the young woman, believing that now she was grown, Claire wouldn't need her anymore. She prayed that they would have the strength to face the challenges that would come.
A few mornings later, the two women entered Marissa's portal, appearing at the edge of the familiar kitchen gardens. They walked towards the house, Claire feeling apprehensive. She clung to Marissa's hand, who gave a gentle squeeze. Someone must have seen them, for there were sounds of shouts, the back door opening to show her parents. Although it has only been some days since she saw them, in Claire's eyes, they seemed to have aged by years. Her mother picked up her skirts, running to her only daughter, her father close behind. For a second, she thought they were angry at her, the act against her bringing shame to the family, but their warm arms wrapped tightly around her dispelled that notion. Her mother sobbed, tears of relief, her father's eyes misty as well. Claire hugged them back, basking in the warmth of acceptance she'd always felt. Yet a nagging thought ran through, maybe they didn't know, didn't understand that now she carried the child of her attacker.
Clarie pulled away, stepping back to her nanny's side. "Nanny said that she informed you of what happened?" Her parents nodded, her mother's eyes filled with the pain only another woman can feel, her father's hands clenched into fists, his self-loathing evident, the failure to protect his precious daughter clawing through him. Claire continued, "I don't know if you know, but I seem to be with child, with his child." Her father's jaw tightened, but he nodded once. "Aren't you ashamed? I've brought ruin to the family." Claire choked, sure that they would step back in horror and disgust, but instead, her parent looked at each other before her father stepped forward, gently cupping her face. "My little firefly", he whispered, using the nickname from when she was small and wanted to capture them every summer evening. "We love you. What happened is no fault of yours. We care not what others think, and we will love the child as our own, for he or she will be our first grandchild." He gently kissed her on her forehead, "Come, let's go inside. Claire's shoulders fell, and she let her father lead her inside. Her mother turned to Marissa, "Thank you, my friend, for finding her and taking care of her. Please come in."
When they stepped in, there were murmurs from the servants. Claire's father cleared his throat. "I know how much you talk, rumours spreading like a wildfire among the servants. Now my daughter was taken and went through horrors no one should face. She is welcome here; this is her home and will always be. Anyone who doesn't like it is free to leave peacefully. If you speak up today, I will give you recommendations; however, if you choose to stay and I find that you are speaking ill of my precious daughter, or are mistreating her in any way, you will be dismissed, and I will make sure finding a job in this region is nearly impossible. Do I make myself clear?" There was a few shuffling of feet, and two of the newer maids came forward. They tossed a look of disgust at Claire. She recognised them as the ones who were always eager to serve tea whenever "T" came calling, their look of longing clearly shown on their faces, but he never even noticed them, his eyes only on her. After he left, they would ignore her request or simply did it half-heartedly. She knew they were difficult, but the thoughts of bonding with her mate and leaving made it seem like a small inconvenience. They also had a thing for the stable boy and any good-looking or wealthy male that came along. Rumours were spreading that they were willing to risk their purity if it meant gaining any perceived upper hand. She even overheard one of them saying that they would ask the master if she could go with Claire and "T", tossing her hair back, confident that she could seduce him into making her his mistress. Claire was glad that they decided to leave, but she wondered how many other servants shared their feelings. She looked up from beneath her lashes, but all the other servants had played a part in raising her, and their looks of concern eased a bit of the nervousness in her.
Claire was shown to her room and settled in, taking a bath and dressing in one of her favourite dresses. Marissa combed her hair, and soon she felt like her old self. Her body relaxed, and she wanted to spend time reading in the garden. She took a few of her books and sat on the bench underneath the large oak tree. Spreading her skirts, she let her mind be captured by the story, yet all too soon she felt a shiver go up her spine. She looked around and stood, the hair on her skin standing up. To her left, hidden in the shadow of the trees, stood "M", a predatory smile on his lips. "Caught you", he mouthed, yet it felt like he whispered it in her ear. She took a step back, only to bump into a tree. No, not a tree, for a tree doesn't have warm arms that wrap around her. She inhaled in shock, "T"'s scent surrounding her. He buried his face in her hair, repeating that he was glad she was safe. He took her hand, leading her back to her father's office. Claire wasn't sure what was happening, but she turned back, and the space "M" stood was now empty. She knew that he was not going to give up, and she wondered if there was any way out of this.
Sitting in her father's office, she looked at "T". He seemed tired but determined, his words confirming it. "Sir, I still have every intention of mating with Claire. She is my mate, and I will raise the child as my own if need be." Claire's father nodded thoughtfully. "You understand what that means for both of you?" "T" nodded, "Yes, and once Claire is agreeable, I wish to beginning planning our bonding ceremony. I know I can't mate her while is with child, but after, it should be possible." Claire's father turned, looking out the window, weighing the pros and cons. "Why don't you wait until the child is born?" "T" shook his head, "It makes no difference, however, I would feel better if the babe had a father and your daughter was bonded before the birth." The Master of the house was about to agree when there was a knock on the door. He bade entry, and his personal servant came in, holding a letter, sealed with the emblem of the council. An uneasy feeling filled the room, and he cautiously opened it. His hands shook as her read the contents, his wolf growling. Claire stood, taking the letter from his hand to read it, her whole body shaking. She stared into "T"'s eyes, handing him the letter.
His jaw clenched, the letter crumpling in his fists. "That bastard. How dare he do this?". Apparently, "M" had pleaded with the council, claiming that he was Claire's mate, a fact he'd known since childhood but did not want to accept, believing that he was wrong, yet he couldn't resist her and now claimed her as his mate since she is carrying his child. A low-down scheme if there ever was one. Since this was a rare case, and it appeared that she now had two men claiming her, the council would decide her fate.