Chapter 34: Chapter 34
Maria’s POV
"I’m Maria." I added to Jada’s introduction.
She stepped aside, giving us room to enter. "Come in." She smiled, and the tension in my chest loosened slightly.
Inside was nothing like I expected. The heavy dark outside painting was a sharp contrast to the lovely colors inside the house. The wide windows let in the morning sun. Bright paintings rested on the walls, and there was a half finished painting on the table with brushes by the side. My gaze lingered on each of the artworks.
Plants in polished clay pots sat by the corners, their leaves spilling out towards the floor. A vase of flowers decorated the table at the center, where several books rested in a neat stack.
"You can take off your veil if you wish," Solara said as she closed the door. "Hang it by the rest of them," She motioned towards a row of veils hanging on the wall.
I reached and slipped my veil from my head, adding it to the stack by the wall.
"There now," She said cheerfully. "I can see you properly now. A face tells me more than visions ever will."
She pointed towards the chairs opposite her. "Both of you should sit. You must be tired from walking here."
I sank into one of the cushioned chairs, glancing again at the paintings.
"You paint?" I asked, unable to contain my curiosity any longer.
Her eyes lit up, as if excited that someone noticed her paintings. "I do it everyday. It helps quiet the noise. Seers need something to calm them, else the visions will toss us about like waves. For me, it’s colour and canvas. For you, it might be something else. What calms you from the visions?"
I blinked at her, hesitating before speaking, feeling surprised that she knew I was a seer. "I only received the guardian’s blessings today. How did you know I’m a seer?"
She chuckled lightly. "A seer always recognizes another." She tilted her head and studied me for a while. "You don’t need to worry about the delay in seeing visions. After I received my own blessings, I saw my first vision three days from then."
"So, she has to wait for three days?" Jada inquired.
"I can’t tell. It could come at any time.".
Solara excused herself to the kitchen and returned with a kettle and teacups. She poured us cups of herbal tea from the kettle, the steam curling towards my face. "So, tell me why you decided to see me. Is it only about the delay in seeing visions or there’s something else."
I gave Jada a quick glance before returning my gaze to Solara who was already seated opposite us, her cup of tea brewing hot in front of her.
"My parents are afraid. I expected them to be happy that I’ve gotten my abilities. Instead, my mom says seers run mad, just like her sister ran mad."
Solara wore an amused smile on her face. "Is that all that bothers you?"
I nodded my head wryly.
"Parents usually don’t understand what we’ve been given. My mother too was worried that I was given an ability associated with witches, but she never mentioned madness." She took a sip of her tea and placed it down before continuing. "The visions can only overwhelm you, but madness is far from it. They can stress your mind, and that’s why I paint to get the stress off. You really don’t have to worry."
"But Solara, does it mean her mother is lying?" Jada pressed further.
Solara furrowed her brows as though in deep thought. "I won’t say your mother is lying. Can we meet her mad sister?"
"She’s dead."
"Oh. It means we can’t talk to her. Maria, I want to assure you that you won’t run mad. I’ve been seeing visions for over two years, and my mental health is still intact."
I took a deep breath, feeling quite relieved at Solara’s revelation.
"Thank you," Jada said in appreciation.
She smiled. "You’re always welcome,"
I sipped the rest of my tea slowly. It was too soothing for me to abandon it. The herbal tea soothed my throat, and I could inhale the alluring cinnamon scent from it.
I dropped the cup on the table and prepared to leave. A sharp pain tugged at my stomach region, and I clutched it with my hand. I retched in an attempt to throw up.
"Maria, are you okay?" Solara asked as she stood up and came towards my side.
"I’m fine," I muttered with a weak voice.
"Alright, I’d see both of you out," She said, following me and Jada until we got to the door.
I managed to walk, even though my insides felt a burning sensation. My stomach felt extremely bloated. I retched once again as we reached the door.
Jada held me and I steadied myself.
"My stomach feels uncomfortable,"
Solara took a hand to her mouth, her eyes filled with concern. "I hope it’s not the tea. Do you have any allergies? I know that cinnamon isn’t good for pregnant shewolves, but you definitely aren’t pregnant."
I barely listened to what she said and the uneasy sensation came again, causing me to vomit everything from my stomach.
"Gosh, I’m so sorry about the tea," Solara said, as she placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"It’s not tea. Maybe she isn’t feeling well," I heard Jada say.
My stomach lurched once more, causing me to vomit again. What was happening to me? Even after I recovered from the accident, I had never vomited this much.
"You should come inside and rest before leaving," Solara held my hand, leading me inside.
I followed them weakly, my knees knocking a bit. She led me to the bed and I lay down there.
"What’s going on?" Jada whispered as Solara left to get water.
I shook my head. "I don’t know. I just feel weak."
"Just hang on. I’d call the physician."
Solara returned with the cup of water, while Jada went outside to get the physician.
I was still in excruciating pain, with both hands holding my abdomen by the sides.