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“Hot damn.” Henry, followed by happy whooping sounds.

“Just like I said.” Hikaru. Cocky as ever.

“Hmm.” Deep and resonant. Warlock Holland.

“Martin? Is that you?” And the sweetest sound yet. Gray’s voice shook with uncertainty. I could feel his fingers ghost against my bark. I didn’t like the pain resonating through his words. I hated his fear and sorrow even more. We’d once been able to speak with each other, even when I was in my tree form. I wasn’t certain why we couldn’t now, only that my words didn’t reach him when I tried to offer him verbal comfort. Gray couldn’t hear me when I attempted to tell him that I was fine.

“Martin?” Gray’s fingers scrabbled at my bark. “Please, Martin. Say something to me.”

I’m here, I tried again, but it was as useless as before.

“We can’t understand him when he’s in his tree form,” I heard Jima explain.

“No, I know, but I can. Martin and I have talked before. We can always talk to each other when we’re in our alternate forms,” Gray argued.

I know. I don’t know why we can’t now either, I thought, mentally sending that message to Gray. Just like before, he couldn’t hear me.

“Things have changed,” Hikaru said. “You don’t have each other’s magic any longer. Makes sense you wouldn’t be able to speak to each other like you used to.”

Why didn’t we have each other’s magic anymore? I frantically searched inside myself and found, to my horror, that Hikaru was right. Gray’s spark of magic was gone. Panic was a useless emotion, and yet it was one few of us could completely control. Panic gripped me now. I desperately tried to return to my humanoid form, but those attempts only resulted in soul-gripping pain.

“Stop that,” Hikaru scolded. I felt the weight of his hand smack my trunk. “Honestly, you’re little more than a newborn dryad right now.” Hikaru huffed. “Idiot Martin. Always pushing yourself too far.”

I whacked Hikaru across the back of his head with one of my branches.

“Ow! What the fuck was that for?”

“I believe you hit him first,” Holland’s deep base voice laughingly said.

“You’re supposed to defend me, Niki.”

“You hardly need me for that. Especially when you are the instigating factor.” Holland placed an arm around Hikaru’s shoulders, pulling him close in apology. “Most likely Hikaru is correct.”

“Most likely?” Hikaru complained. “I’m always correct, thank you very much.”

If I’d had them, I would have rolled my eyes. As it was, I could barely stop myself from smacking him again.

“As I was saying,” Holland continued as if Hikaru hadn’t just thrown a hissy fit, “Hikaru is most likely correct. It takes a lot of magical energy to transform from one shape to another. Martin’s magic is using all its strength to replicate itself and replace what he’s lost. It will take time, but I believe Martin will be able to return to his humanoid form soon enough. The will is certainly there.”

Hikaru snorted. “Yeah, I can literally see his magic trying. It’s too much of a strain right now. You hear that, Martin?” Hikaru obnoxiously knocked on my trunk. “Don’t hurt yourself. You’re lucky as it is that Grayson protected your final piece of magic. Don’t waste all his effort by being stupid. Poor will-o’-the-wisp looks rough enough without you adding to his misery.”

My trunk shook with irritation and concern. I wanted to scream at Hikaru and tell him to fuck right off. Just as badly, I wanted to scoop Gray up into my branches and cradle him within my canopy.

“Come on, Niki. I think our work here is done. And Martin’s starting to get a little too worked up.” The playful cadence in Hikaru’s voice grated at my nerves.

“I believe he has had some help in that—” Whatever Holland was going to say cut off as Hikaru dissipated, taking Warlock Holland with him.

Without the troublesome kitsune, silence filled the air. That quiet was finally broken by Henry. “Fuck, I’m tired. If this bullshit’s finally over, I’m gonna go see what’s left of my home and sleep for a day, maybe more. Keir, don’t you go out there and confront those wyvern until I’ve had a good rest. You hear me? I’ll be mighty pissed off if I’m woken by the damn buildin’ fallin’ in.” Grumbling to himself, Henry scampered away.

Tabitha’s soft chuckles filled the air. “As usual, Henry has the right of it. We all need rest. Jima, will you help an old medium stand?”

“Of course.” Jima hopped up, helping Tabitha stand. She was shaky and pale, but thankfully able to stand on her own two feet.

“Thank you, dear. Keir, I will second Henry’s request. The wyvern outside can wait. Reassure them that the eggs are fine. Beyond that, I believe, given current circumstances, that they will understand our need to lick a few wounds and recover before any formal presentation.”

Tabitha didn’t wait for Keir to respond. Instead, she shuffled toward my trunk and laid a soft hand on me. “Martin, it is ever so good to have you back.” She drew her palm back, pressed a kiss on it, then tapped me again. “Rest and recover. I look forward to speaking again with you soon. Would you mind helping me back to my quarters, Jima?”

“You know I don’t,” Jima eagerly responded. “Bye everyone, and thank you, Martin. I…I don’t know what else to say beyond that.”