Page 111 of Inked in Bloom
Naturally.
“And finally, a fancy tea party to finish the celebration.”
“Auntie Corrigan!” Millie shouts, getting out of her chair and running over to her aunt.
“Sorry I’m late.” Corrigan’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “Was tied up with some Radix business.”
Her gaze flicks to Briar, and while there’s a twinge ofsomething through our bond, I can’t put my finger on what it is.
“You came just in time to paint with us.” Millie tugs her arm. “Sit next to me.”
“Of course, darling.”
“We were worried you weren’t going to make it,” the dean—Claire—calls from the other end of the table.
“And miss out on this beautiful celebration my nieces put together? I’d never.”
So that’s why she came. Not for me but for them.
At least she’s honest.
“How are the ceremony preparations coming along?” Briar’s father, Davis, asks, giving Claire’s hand a squeeze.
“Good so far.” I nod toward Briar who is squinting at his teacup as he tries painting a bunny on it. It comes out more of a brown blob with ears. He sets it down and glances up at me. “Briar and I spent the morning working on some logistics.”
Claire looks relieved, and I’m not sure if I should be glad or offended. I haven’t spoken to her since she delivered my punishment from the Radixes. “I’m certain it’ll be a wonderful tribute to the commitment our Blooms are making to each other.”
“Monroe’s taken a lot of care in planning everything.” Briar’s hand rests on the nape of my neck, his thumb grazing my skin. Goosebumps ripple upward from the point of contact, paired with the intensity of his lavender stare. “It’s going to be a beautiful event.”
“I know we are excited for it,” Dani says. Cherri nods in agreement before she goes back to her crafting. “It’ll be so nice once it’s official and the bond can finally settle.”
I pick up my paintbrush and dip it in emerald. Biting my bottom lip, I try concentrating while the tablewobbles from passing paints, pouring lemonade, and people getting up from their seats and moving about to visit with one another.
“You never forget your claiming ceremony. Ours was over fifty years ago and I remember it like it was yesterday.” Davis’s voice carries down the table, but his attention is wholly on Claire. “Now look at us—our kids are all grown up.”
“With mates of their own,” she replies with a smile, and the two are so downright smitten it feels borderline inappropriate to witness such an intimate exchange.
Thud.
The table shakes and my vine takes an unplanned squiggle around the teapot.
Corrigan stands, looking at no one in particular. “I need something stronger than tea for all this sentimental talk. Be right back.”
She strides inside, and everyone goes back to their painting. Briar and Dani exchange a look. Davis shakes his head at them.
“Is she okay?” I ask Briar. Nausea circles my gut as my attention drifts to Corrigan’s seat. The teacup and saucer are completely white. She hasn’t even touched the paint.
“I’ll go check on her.” He slides back his chair and makes his way into the house, his frustration rolling through me.
We continue painting in relative silence. Every few minutes, I glance over my shoulder toward the back door.
Taylor leans over and cups my ear, whispering. “Dad’s probably trying to make Auntie Corrigan feel better,”
“Well, that’s what a good sibling does. Isn’t it?”
Taylor goes back to painting. “I guess…”
Lilliana frowns at her older sister. “Maybe there’s a tug on her invisible ivy.”
