The next morning, she had more of an audience than she did the day before. However, after a nervous glance, Lirael waved away the curious servants. Leaving behind the two High Lords and an ever-eager Sorren. What they did not know, was that they were likely to leave disappointed today. Daphne would likely not spend any time healing Iridessa today because by the looks of it, she was just not ready for the big release.

  Today however, she might be in a significate amount of pain. Bowing her head to the four of them, Daphne sat in the furthest chair she could. “First I visit.” She pointed to Hecate, and when she saw the slight nod from Lirael, she closed her eyes. A deep breath and one painful jab later, she was standing in the now homely outing.

  Hecate stood a few feet away, her long glowing hair shifting lightly in a gentle breeze. When their eyes met, Daphne saw sadness cross her ever shifting gaze before nodding. Somehow the Goddess always knew what she was going to say. Daphne did not have the nerve to ask how she knew everything that she did, at least not yet.

  “Hecate, before we begin, I have a question.” Even though she knew that Hecate knew the question, Daphne still asked it, “Do I have enough of the language right now, to have the rest of the language implanted safely.”

  Slowly she nodded, “Yes, but painfully.”

  Daphne knew pain, she could handle pain. “Ok. I need to be able to talk with them. Please, give me the rest.”

  Again, there was hesitance. However, this time Daphne could tell it was because the Goddess did not want Daphne to suffer, the kindness touched her but did not waiver her resolve. After a moment, Hecate stepped forward and raised her hands slowly. Daphne stepped forward and knelt before the Goddess, who placed her slim fingers on the human’s temples.

  And gods did she scream.

  Pain radiated through her mind, down every nerve ending and melting down all her bones. It felt like the words twisted through her very soul, ripping holes through every place they touched. They found their way in every crevice of her mind and left her unable to move.

  Daphne lost track of how long they were like this, but it was long enough for the sun to cross half the sky at least. Eventually the slim fingers released her from their hold and she collapsed onto the ground, heaving deep breathes. The original pain was gone, but it left behind a deep tight pain that shook her. If she could throw up here, she would have.

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  “The pain will be for the better of a week. Rest will help.” Hecate spoke, this time in the fae tongue. It rolled off her lips easier than English ever did. “We will not train today, but tomorrow we begin again.”

  Knowing that she would get accustomed to the pain, Daphne sat back on her feet. “Thank you. I know how difficult that was for you.” She had meant to say it in English but it came out in fae unconsciously. Confused, Daphne looked up at the Goddess.

  “Until the pain is gone, your native tongue with not be the first to come. It will return to you.” She slowly walked up to Daphne, smiled lightly at her and tapped her light on her forehead.

  This time it hurt much worse coming back to her body. The pain hit her like a ton of bricks, and a wave of nausea nearly knocked her unconscious. As she hit her chair, the pain pulsed through her head. Gasping in pain, she hunched over and grabbed her head. As she forced air into her throbbing body, she felt gentle hands on her wrists.

  Taking a moment to steady herself, it was then that she realized that Lirael was in front of her trying to stop her nose from bleeding. Daphne blinked hard a few times, pushing away the closeness of the pain and did her best to untense her body.

  “Why are you bleeding?” His tone was dangerous, harder than she had heard. Lirael had been careful to stay calm around her so she was surprised by his anger. “Did Hecate punish you?”

  Confused she shook her head, regretting it immediately. “What? No!” She laughed then cleared her throat. “I can see how you would think that, but no. This is from a gift.” She looked up briefly at nothing then back at him. “A very painful gift, not a punishment.”

  Lirael held a deep red handkerchief to her nose while she spoke, “Gifts do not harm.”

  Reaching up, she grabbed his hand lightly. Daphne was surprised that he had not noticed her increased language. “She did warn me.” The language rolled off her tongue naturally, though her mind felt at odds with it. “I could not finish healing Iridessa without her understanding the risks. I cannot explain the risks if I cannot speak the language. So, a little pain now but for a good cause.” As she spoke, she saw the understanding cross his face.

  “She gifted our language?” His hesitation was curious, like it was unfathomable that one could do that.

  “Hecate has been speeding up my learning of your language since I arrived here. If I waited, I would have had the rest of it naturally in three months.” Looking over at Iridessa and smiled. “But you do not have three months.”