As I id in bed, my mind was a blur. I had no memories of returning to my room. A fuzzy haze clouded my memory. I could recall Otrea casting a spell on me so she could collect some of my blood, but everything after was a complete enigma.

  Everything felt disjointed. Had I passed out due to blood loss? Sitting up in bed I inspected my arms, but they'd been completely healed. It was as if Otrea had never touched me.

  Shaking off my lethargy, I gingerly slipped out of bed and stumbled to the dresser. As I pulled out an outfit to wear for the day, I wondered if this was what a hangover felt like. I'd only ever read about the experience in books, but what I felt was not dissimir to how I felt it'd been described.

  A soft knock at the door pulled me free of my contemption. Startled, I called out, "Come in!"

  The door opened, and Harriette walked in, a concerned expression on her face. "Good morning, Bernice. I'm gd to see you're awake."

  "Harriette," A wave of nausea washed over me. Stumbling forward I lost my bance. I would've struck the floor face first if not for Harriette rushing forward to catch me. "What's happening?"

  Harriette held me by the shoulders and gently led me back to bed. "Sit down first," she said soothingly. "You'll feel fine soon, just give it a minute."

  "Is this normal?" I whined, holding a hand over my mouth as I tried desperately not to vomit.

  "No." Harriette gently pushed my bangs out of my eyes. "You are like this because your body has surprisingly little resistance to magic. The spell Lady Otrea used to ensure you felt no pain was too much for your system. It caused you to become drunk on her power."

  "Why now? Even the bath water is enchanted, why didn't this happen before?"

  "There is a difference between magic simply existing around you, and magic targeting you directly." Harriette rubbed my back. Her gentle touch soothed my weary heart. "It is also likely that Lady Otrea's spells are more powerful than they have need to be, further complicating things."

  Mewling softly I leaned back against Harriette's touch. As I rexed, the nausea and dizziness I felt began to dissipate, allowing my senses to gradually return.

  "You really are like a child," Harriette's expression turned thoughtful.

  My face heated with embarrassment. For the third time since I arrived in this world, I was being told I had more in common with children. Even my ears felt a bit warm underneath their fur. Unable to look Harriette in the eye I gazed down at my p and began to fidget with my fingers. "What makes you say that?"

  "Magical resistance is something that comes with age," Harriette chuckled. "Even if you were born to an inert bloodline and never had a spell cast upon you, you'd still gain some resistance. No one would expect a girl your age to be so vulnerable."

  The warmth in my cheeks grew hotter. I was certain my face had likely turned bright red even without a mirror to confirm it. On Earth I'd have been days away from turning eighteen. In fact, it was possible I'd already passed my eighteenth birthday. Depending on how many days passed between my colpse in the cafe and waking up in the forest.

  Pcing a hand on my chest, I frowned. A day ago I'd allowed myself the fantasy of becoming romantically involved with Kyra and Adelita. Now I couldn't help but feel foolish. Why would the daughters of a legendary witch want to date me? What could I even offer them? I was just a half-baked bunnygirl.

  "In my world after you turn eighteen, you're an adult. No matter how immature you might be," I gazed up at the ceiling, sighing heavily. "How long will it take until I'm an adult in this world?"

  "Legally you already are," Harriette replied, her tone gentler than I'd ever heard before. "Being like a child does not invalidate your age, Bernice."

  "How do I improve my resistance?"

  "You train," Harriette smiled. Her words carrying a subtle hint of protectiveness. I was gd she'd come around and was treating me kindly. If only her change of heart hadn't been brought on by my feebleness. "As you grow more capable of magic, you'll also be building resistance."

  "Can my own magic intoxicate me?" I asked sheepishly. If I passed out every time I used magic, my lessons would be difficult.

  "That I do not know," Harriette chuckled.

  "You know, you're being awfully kind to me."

  "You are innocent and deserving of kindness," Harriette lowered her head. "I was unnecessarily rude to you when you arrived. I failed to trust my dy's insight and treated you unkind."

  I hesitated. Harriette seemed sincerely apologetic, and I had no idea how to respond. I'd been somewhat teasing when I pointed out her kindness. Harriette had mellowed out quickly after our introduction, and had been nothing but kind since. But I felt she'd been keeping a professional distance from me, like a teacher would.

  "Thank you, but you've already been very kind to me, Harriette." I said, rubbing my cheek awkwardly. "I just meant you're being even kinder than you have been. Like before you were kind of like a teacher to me. But now, you're acting more like how I'd expect my big sister to act, if I had one."

  "Seeing you colpse from my dy's magic was quite startling," Harriette's pressed her lips into a thin line. Furrowing her brow she fell into a contemptive silence. "You should eat, Bernice. Stay here, I'll bring your breakfast to you."

  Harriette stood and walked briskly out of my room. Watching her leave I wondered if I'd said too much. I'd hardly known Harriette for more than a couple of days. It was probably far too early for me to be saying she was anything like a sister.

  After Harriette returned with breakfast, I began to feel well enough to carry on with my day. Despite Harriette's insistence that I rest, I convinced her to carry on with my lessons.

  We returned to the clearing we'd used before. Continuing from where we left off, I closed my eyes and began to search inwardly for my aether. Like all fantasy nerds, the prospect of learning magic excited me. I desperately wanted to be able to use it. Even more so now that I knew it would help me build resistance.

  Time passed like sap dripping down a tree in winter. After what felt like hours of standing still, my feet began to hurt. I was nearing my breaking point. Thankfully, before I had to admit defeat and call it a day, I felt something.

  Flowing within me was a power, swirling and squeezing through painfully small veins. Mentally I followed it back, and found a vast well of golden power trapped within me. Mentally reaching into that deep pool I pulled on the energy stored there.

  I gasped in pain. Hugging myself tightly I fell to my knees. My body burned. A heat unlike anything I'd ever experienced flowed through me as if my blood had been set abze. "Help!"

  Harriette hurried to my side. "It's okay," she comforted me, gently hugging me to her. "You'll be okay."

  "It burns!" I screamed, my voice cracking from the pain.

  "Such delectable aether," Lulu slipped into the clearing. Honey-colored drool dripped from her lips as she made her way toward Harriette and me. Her eyes were like a crazed animal's as she focused on me, as if I was all that existed in her world.

  "Perfect timing," Harriette released me. Panicked, I reached for her, but couldn't grab on. "Lulu, cuddle with Bernice."

  "Can I?" Lulu squealed in delight.

  "What are you..." I tried to question Harriette's logic. What good would come from having a naked pnt dy, a monster, cuddle with me? I thought she'd started to like me. Was that all a lie?

  "Dryads feed off of aether," Harriette noted, holding out a hand to stop me from pushing Lulu away as she wrapped her arms around me. "The burning you feel is likely from your body being overwhelmed by the amount of aether you attempted to draw forth. Lulu can absorb that excess aether. Cuddling with her will cure you."

  "We could kiss too," Lulu squeezed me, her sticky drool coating my shoulder.

  "K-kiss?"

  "A dryad's saliva is a powerful numbing agent when ingested," Harriette expined. "It's not a bad suggestion."

  "I'm not surrendering my first kiss for some painkiller!"

  "Aww," Lulu nuzzled my shoulder. "Aren't we friends? Let me help you feel better Bunny!"

  "This is enough!" The soul-searing pain I felt had already curbed significantly now that I was in contact with Lulu. If not for that, I might have thrown my chastity to the wind and allowed Lulu to do as she pleased. All to escape the pain.

  "Okay~!" Lulu didn't sound disappointed in the slightest. Instead she kept cuddling me. As the petals of the yellow flower which served as her hair tickled my skin, I wondered how she'd come to serve Otrea. Sure, she was a powerful witch, but if Harriette was right, Otrea didn't have aether.

  How did Otrea feed Lulu without having a celestial around? If she had one for Lulu to leech aether off of, she wouldn't have needed my blood.

  "How do dryads get the aether they consume normally?"

  "From forest spirits and fae," Harriette replied nonchantly. "They are minor celestials, and cannot produce nearly as much aether as you. But they exist in rge numbers here, so Lulu will never starve."

  "But I'm always hungry!" Lulu whined, aggressively nuzzling my shoulder. "Please don't push me away, Bunny!"

  "I'm not going anywhere," I mumbled. Lulu continued to cuddle and drool on me until the st of my pain vanished. "I feel better. Thank you, Lulu," I reached up and gently ran my fingers over the flower which served as her hair.

  "Aww... but, Bunny!" Lulu squeezed me possessively.

  "Your aether must be exceptionally dense for Lulu to have become so addicted," Harriette ughed. "We will return in a few days, Lulu. I'm certain Bernice will have need of your companionship next time as well."

  "In a few days?" I tilted my head quizzically. Despite the pain I'd suffered, now that I knew there was a remedy for it, I was ready to try again. My body was just too tired to continue without a bit of rest.

  "You've already made strides in the right direction by connecting with your aether. But in haphazardly attempting to make use of more than your body could handle, you've hurt yourself. It would be best for you to take a few days off before attempting magic again."

  "Couldn't you just heal me?"

  "Have you already forgotten what such magic does to you? The damage you've sustained will require more mana than simply healing a cut. I can say with certainty the spell will intoxicate you."

  "I haven't..." I answered with a defeated sigh. "I'll rest."

  "I'll miss you, Bunny," Lulu pouted, releasing me. Tendrils of sticky drool stretched between us before snapping.

  "I'll be back. Thank you, Lulu. Without you I would've really suffered."

  Once we returned home, I took a quick bath before colpsing into my bed. Seconds after I closed my eyes, my consciousness faded away.

  I woke to someone rhythmically tapping my nose with their fingers. Groaning in frustration I reached up, catching the culprit by the wrist. A soft gasp escaped my captive as I opened my eyes to see who'd dare try to wake me in such a frustrating manner. I couldn't help but gasp myself once I id eyes on her. It was Lyre.

  "I thought you served Lady Otrea's daughters?" I grumbled, my tone heavy with drowsiness. "Why are you here?"

  Lyre smiled sheepishly. "Lady Kyra wanted to speak with you. I've come in her steed to request you visit her in her room for tea."

  "Tea?" This world had tea? After learning that this world cked coffee, I assumed it didn't have tea either. Hearing that tea existed and I'd be allowed to have some made me giddy with excitement.

  "Yes," Lyre nodded her head, her brow furrowed in confusion. "I ask that you please agree to her invitation."

  Releasing Lyre's wrist I yawned and slipped out of bed. My body was heavy. However much sleep I'd gotten, it wasn't enough. I wanted to get closer to Kyra, and I was excited to have tea again. There was no chance I'd refuse her invitation, regardless of how sluggish I felt.

  "Should I help you get dressed?" Lyre asked, uncertain.

  "I can do it myself," I replied with another yawn. "Thank you for offering."

  Lyre nodded. Standing quietly by my bed she fidgeted back and forth until I'd finished getting dressed. "Ready?"

  "Yeah," I nodded trying to shake off the sleepiness.

  "Wonderful. Follow me." Guiding me down one corridor after another, Lyre hummed softly to herself, waving her tail nguidly behind her.

  "Do you enjoy singing?" I asked, curious if her humming was reted to a song from this world.

  "I do," Lyre's eyes sparkled. "I love it."

  "Did you sing to Lady Kyra and Lady Adelita when they were little?"

  "What?" Lyre ughed, raising her brow at me. "How old do you think I am, Bernice? They were both born long before I was."

  "They were?" Neither of them looked much older than I did. Otrea didn't look nearly six centuries old either, though. The more I thought about it, the more I realized Kyra and Adelita were probably centuries old at this point. Otrea wouldn't have waited five centuries just to have children.

  "Yes, I'm only twenty-three."

  "How old is Lady Kyra?"

  "Lady Kyra will soon be celebrating her one-hundred and fiftieth birthday. Of course I'm told she was not awake for all of those years."

  "Not awake... for years?" My eyes widened as I tried to make sense of what Lyre was saying. Why would Otrea's daughters have to sleep so long? Did it have something to do with how they looked so young and yet had lived so long?

  "I may have said too much," Lyre covered her lips with her hand. "If they want you to know, they'll tell you."

  We came to a stop in front of a door. After knocking twice Lyre beckoned me inside. As I walked into the room I id eyes on Kyra. She was wearing a flowing light grey dress accented with a cream-colored caplet. I immediately felt underdressed by comparison.

  "Hello again Bernice," Kyra rose from her seat. Stepping around the tea table she spread her arms as if expecting a hug.

  I hesitated for a moment before gently embracing Kyra. After being given such a clear invitation it felt rude to refuse her. As our bodies came together I realized I was the shorter of the two of us. My nose was barely level with Kyra's chin.

  "I know Mother told me to take it easy on you," Kyra whispered into my ear. "But you're far too cute for me to obey."

  My face heated. Nervousness filled my stomach with the fluttering sensation of butterflies. I'd daydreamed of having a retionship with Kyra, but I never expected she'd return my feelings. Especially not now that I knew how old she happened to be.

  "You're so soft too," Kyra squeezed me gently before ending our embrace.

  "L-Lady Kyra."

  "Just Kyra, Bernice." Kyra giggled and returned to her chair. "Take a seat, let's have tea."

  Swallowing my nerves I sat across from Kyra. I felt so small in front of her. Like a tiny mouse caught in the predatory gaze of a cat. For the first time in my life I was sitting across from a girl who seemed to feel real romantic attraction toward me. I didn't know what to do.

  Lyre silently poured us each a cup of tea before stepping away, leaving Kyra and I to talk privately.

  "I was listening quite intently when you spoke about your world," Kyra grinned, taking a sip of her tea. "But I didn't hear anything about a lover. I'm sure you had a few, I'd love to hear about them."

  My thoughts were a jumbled mess. Why was Kyra asking if I had any lovers? Why'd she want to hear about them? Was this all just the pretext for some girls' talk? Was I woefully mistaken about Kyra's intentions?

  "I've never loved anyone."

  "Impossible."

  "It really isn't," I replied tracing the rim of my teacup with a finger. "I had to help Laura with the cafe, so I never had time to hang out with friends after school. Not to mention I wasn't exactly the most outgoing girl in my css. My teachers liked to compin I kept my head in the clouds. I even got detention for reading in css once. Can you believe it? The teachers kept begging everyone else to read, and yet I got in trouble for it."

  "So," Kyra leaned forward, pcing her elbows on the table. "You've never been on a date?"

  "I haven't. I've never dated, never been kissed, I'm really boring. What about you, Kyra? I'm sure you've had lots of lovers yourself."

  "You're the first girl to visit us who wasn't employed to take care of me, or secretly searching for a way to kill my mother."

  "Is that really common? People coming here to kill Lady Otrea?"

  "Not openly," Kyra waved her hand dismissively. "They approach Mother as diplomats. They like to cim they're trying to maintain retions with her, despite her exile. But the reality is, Mother terrifies them. They'd like nothing more than for her to be gone."

  "Her exile?"

  Kyra nodded. "Mother was once Ciriczar's Grand Sorcerer. But after their princess died performing a ritual Mother supervised, they bmed her for her death. Mother was called a murderer and banished from the kingdom. It's so foolish. Even if she was observing the princess, that doesn't mean Mother could foresee what was about to happen."

  "That's terrible."

  "It is." Kyra frowned. We sat in silence for a moment before her smile returned. "But enough of that. You and I are both cking in romantic tales, so how about we make one together?"

  My heart skipped a beat as I gazed into Kyra's ruby eyes. "Make one? W-What do you mean?"

  "You've never had a date, or been kissed, right?" Kyra grinned, her eyes creasing in delight as she looked at me. "Neither have I. So maybe the two of us could rectify that for each other."

  Hope filled my chest. Kyra's offer filled me with excitement. She was beautiful and somehow she wanted me, of all people. Why wouldn't I want to be with her?

  Can I really let myself have this? I asked myself. Is it really right to be so happy when Laura's likely at her wits end trying to find me?

  "There's a town on the forest's edge called Ciy." Kyra said softly. "You and I could go there and spend the day together."

  Before I could respond to Kyra's offer, Lyre cleared her throat. "Lady Kyra. Your Mother would be extremely cross if you left home without permission. If someone were to identify what you are, it could cause a catastrophe."

  Kyra frowned slightly, gazing at Lyre out of the corner of her eye. "I don't believe the people of Ciy have a sorcerer among them who would pose a threat to me. And I'm nothing like the others of my kind. I doubt a yman could tell any difference between me and a normal human."

  "Lady Kyra, please. For your own sa—"

  "Lyre!" Kyra turned to Lyre causing the girl to freeze. The two stared intently at at one another.

  "If not for yourself, then for your sister," Lyre spoke as if she was on the verge of hissing at Kyra.

  "She doesn't have to pay attention to what Bernice and I do."

  "What is going on here?" I asked, confused as to why Lyre and Kyra were suddenly at odds with one another.

  "It's a long story," Kyra sighed. "Several long stories actually. But before you go anywhere with me, I should probably tell you. I'm kind of... dead."

  "Dead? You're a ghost?"

  "No. I'm a corpse Mother animated with her magic."

  I stared at Kyra in shock. My mind could hardly process what she'd said. She was a corpse? Animated by magic like what... a zombie? That couldn't be possible. Kyra was beautiful. Her skin wasn't rotting away, it was fwless. Sure she was a little bit gray... like a corpse, but her hair was healthy and glistened in the light. She couldn't possibly be a zombie.

  "Impossible... You... You're not dead."

  "I am. Years ago Mother was attempting to develop a spell for resurrecting the dead. The spell didn't work, but it did create Adelita and me. My body is unique amongst undead, but it is still not a living vessel."

  "How could it not be? You're sitting here drinking tea with me. I cannot see you as anything but alive."

  Kyra forced herself to smile. Despite her efforts, I couldn't help but feel as if there was a deep sadness behind her eyes. "My body mimics life well. Mother's magic is complex. It sustains me, and allows me the freedom of independent thought and action. I am my own person, unlike the corpses other sorcerers might command. But I'm still not alive. If Mother's magic was ever dispelled it would be the end of me."

  "So all other undead are just puppets?" I asked, watching Kyra hesitantly.

  Kyra's gaze locked onto mine, unwavering. "Yes. Which is why Lyre is so hesitant to allow our date. If a sorcerer who is unaware of Mother's magic was to notice I was undead, they might attack me on sight."

  "Being attacked is the least of Lady Kyra's worries," Lyre added. "Most sorcerers who see an undead acting without its creator nearby, will attempt to interrupt the spell. They'll believe they're saving people. In reality, they'll be killing an innocent girl."

  "Is it even possible for Otrea's spell to be interrupted?" After everything I'd learned about Otrea and the power she wielded, I couldn't see anyone else breaking her spells. Even if there were people who could, what was the likelihood we'd run into one of them?

  "Nobody knows," Kyra pce a hand over her heart. "Mother's been too afraid to test the strength of the spell. If it fails, Adelita and I will both die. That's why we've spent our entire lives cooped up in the forest, incapable of leading lives of our own. Adelita may not mind, but I want to fall in love and make memories."

  Kyra gazed toward Lyre out of the corner of her eye. "And I don't want to share any of my firsts with some girl my mother hired for the task." Lyre tensed at Kyra's comment. It seemed as if her original purpose wasn't just to be a maid. I could only imagine how painful it must have been for Kyra to believe she finally had a chance at love—only to learn it was all a hoax orchestrated by her mother.

  "I wish I could protect you," I sipped at my tea. As excited as I'd been to drink it, I could hardly taste anything. My heart ached for Kyra. She was dealing with so much. I could hardly fathom how she remained so positive in spite of it all. "I don't know how anyone could look at you and believe you're some mindless creature."

  "People act on what they believe is the truth, without ever confirming if they're right." Lyre's voice was soft. She winced as she spoke, as if the words were causing her pain. "That is why we cannot take risks with Lady Kyra and Lady Adelita's safety. They can only travel with Lady Otrea by their side."

  "We're not going far," Kyra's words carried a hint of frustration. "As long as Bernice is willing, I will not let you stop me. You owe me this much, Lyre."

  Lyre's shoulders slumped as she adverted her gaze. "As you wish, Midy."

  "So... still willing to make some memories with me? Now that you know what I am?"

  "Yes," I smiled. Despite all of her complexities, Kyra was a beautiful woman. The thought of going on a date with her still filled me with excitement. I wasn't about to give up this chance.

  "Thank you," A bright smile crossed Kyra's lips as she stood. "Then, let's go!"

  "Now?" I shuffled out of my chair gazing at Kyra in wide-eyed shock as she made her way to the door.

  "Why not?"

  "Lady Kyra," Lyre rushed to head us off. "Bernice is still recuperating. I promise not to interfere, but she cannot go until she's had a bit more time to heal. If anything were to happen to Bernice, Harriette would skin my tail."

  "You're unwell?" Kyra turned to me in surprise. "Why didn't you say anything?"

  "It didn't really affect my ability to have tea," I answered sheepishly.

  "Go back to bed then," Kyra hugged me gently. "I'll come to get you soon."

  "Okay." Reluctantly I allowed our date to be postponed. As much as I wanted it, my body was still heavy with exhaustion. Even if it was disappointing to have to put it off, I didn't want anything to spoil the memories Kyra and I were pnning to make.

  Cossimeri