Page 55 of Knot My Wonderland, Part Two (Fairytale Omegaverse #2)

"I'll prepare a restorative tea," Chi offered, rising with feline grace despite his obvious fatigue. His tail unwound reluctantly from my wrist, though the silver bond between us remained strong, carrying his protective concern. "Something to help replenish our magical reserves overnight."

Heart helped me to my feet, his golden patterns dimming slightly as he felt my legs tremble beneath me. "Can you walk?" he asked quietly, his ruby eyes searching mine.

I nodded, though I leaned heavily against his solid warmth. "Just tired. Not like before."

The walk back to the cabin seemed longer than usual, each step requiring deliberate focus as my body processed the magical drain.

The pattern beneath my skin had settled into a steady, if subdued, pulse—no longer the erratic flickering of dangerous exhaustion, but the gentle ebb of resources temporarily depleted.

Inside, Chi busied himself with the kettle, his tail swishing with nervous energy as he prepared the promised restorative tea. The Tweedles settled at the table, spreading their calculations one final time as they made adjustments based on the day's success.

"You should eat something," Heart murmured as he guided me to a chair.

The scent of the restorative tea filled the cabin as Chi worked, the herbal blend carrying notes of mint and something that made the pattern beneath my skin hum with anticipation.

My stomach rumbled at Heart's suggestion, reminding me that I hadn't eaten since the small meal before training.

"I'll make something light," Heart said, already moving toward the kitchen area. Through our golden bond, I felt his need to care for me in practical ways—feeding me, ensuring my comfort, protecting me from overexertion even now when the danger had passed.

Dee looked up from his calculations, silver eyes assessing me with clinical interest. "The magical resonance is stabilizing more quickly than projected. The networked approach appears to have created lasting improvements to your pattern integration."

"Meaning?" I asked, settling deeper into my chair as fatigue pulled at my consciousness.

"Your magic is more efficient now," Vee clarified, his silver eyes studying the invisible patterns only he could see. "The connection between you, Heart, and Chi has created a magical framework that allows for faster recovery and more efficient energy distribution."

"It's almost like a magical circulatory system," Dee added, his temporal devices humming softly. "Energy flowing between the three of you in a continuous cycle that strengthens as it moves."

Chi approached with steaming mugs of tea, the liquid inside glowing with subtle silver light. "Moonflower and crystal root," he explained, setting a mug before me. "With a touch of fire berries to accelerate magical regeneration."

I took a cautious sip, surprised by the pleasant taste—sweet and cool despite the steam rising from the surface. Almost immediately, I felt the pattern beneath my skin respond, silver and gold light brightening slightly as the restorative properties began their work.

"Thank you," I murmured, wrapping my hands around the warm mug. The tea's effects spread through me like gentle waves, soothing the ragged edges of magical exhaustion.

Heart returned with a plate of what appeared to be small pastries filled with a glowing blue substance. "Dreamfruit tarts," he explained, setting them before me. "They'll help replenish your energy while you sleep."

I took one gratefully, the first bite sending a burst of sweet-tart flavor across my tongue. The pattern beneath my skin responded immediately, pulsing with renewed vigor as the magical food worked its way through my system.

"Tomorrow changes everything," I said quietly, looking around at the four of them—my mates, my protectors, my teachers. "No matter what happens with the Queen."

Chi settled beside me, his tail curling protectively around the back of my chair, “The battle won’t happen right away. We will get back and plan and see what happened while we were in here.”

"Of course," I said, setting my mug down. "I keep thinking of it as the final confrontation, but there's still preparation to do once we're back."

Heart nodded, his golden patterns pulsing with approval. "Strategy meetings with Seth and the resistance. Gathering intelligence on the Queen's current defenses. Ensuring we have escape routes if things go poorly."

"Not that they will," Chi added quickly, his tail tightening around my chair. "But contingencies matter."

I took another dreamfruit tart, feeling strength flowing back into my limbs with each bite.

The exhaustion remained, but the sharp edges had softened, replaced by a manageable weariness that suggested sleep would restore what food and tea couldn't."You know," Vee said thoughtfully, setting down his quill as he looked at me, "there's one more thing we should discuss before we leave this place. "

I felt a flutter of concern through the bonds. "What do you mean?"

Dee's temporal devices hummed softly as he adjusted something on one of them. "The incomplete bond," he said simply. "With Seth…It would be best to complete the first bonding before you go against the Queen.”

My cheeks warmed at Dee's blunt assessment. "I... we haven't really discussed that," I admitted, though through the bonds with Heart and Chi I felt their protective understanding rather than jealousy.

"The Void bond is different," Chi said carefully, his tail flicking with thoughtful energy. "More complex than what you've shared with us. It requires absolute trust in ways that can't be rushed."

Heart nodded, his golden patterns pulsing with agreement. "Seth has been remarkably patient, but Dee's right about the tactical advantages. A completed Void bond would give you access to shadow magic—invaluable against the Queen's blood corruption."

"The probability matrices show a significant increase in survival rates," Vee added, his clinical tone unable to mask his concern for my wellbeing. "From ninety-two percent to nearly ninety-eight percent success probability."

I set down my mug, processing the implications of what they were suggesting. Through the bonds with Heart and Chi, I felt their complex emotions—protective concern, tactical assessment, and genuine respect for my autonomy.

"Are you suggesting I should... complete the bond with Seth immediately after we return?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the flutter of nervousness in my stomach.

"Not suggesting," Dee clarified, his silver eyes meeting mine directly. "Merely presenting the mathematical advantages. The decision remains yours entirely."

"Seth would never rush you," Heart added, his golden patterns pulsing with certainty. "He values your choice above tactical advantage."

Chi's tail tightened slightly around the back of my chair. "He's waited this long. He'll wait as long as necessary."

Through our bonds, I felt their absolute sincerity—no pressure or expectation, just honest assessment of a possibility they felt obligated to mention. The mating marks from Heart and Chi pulsed with gentle warmth, a physical reminder of the permanent connections we'd already established.

"I appreciate your honesty," I said finally, taking another sip of the restorative tea. "I'll... think about it when we return."

The Tweedles nodded, returning to their calculations without further comment.

Through our bonds, I felt both Heart and Chi's quiet approval of my response—neither pushing for nor discouraging deeper connection with Seth, respecting my autonomy completely.

As the evening progressed, we settled into quiet preparation for tomorrow's departure…

and I could only feel the pressure of what was to come but knew I would be fine… I hope.