Page 56 of Inked in Bloom
“Well done, Monroe.” Professor Kitt bends down, inspecting the oleanders up close. His brows furrow, but a moment later, he runs over to Skylar, who’s tangled up in an overgrowth of vines. It’s validating not being the one struggling for once.
A few hours later, Tess lectures us about how spring is different throughout the mortal world, pointing to various regions where we can be sent, depending on the time of year. When she gets to the East Coast and I spot DC on the map, hope roots between my ribs. My bare feet dig into the ground. There’s only a few more months until we go into rejuvenation before spring.
If I make the cut, that is.
“Now, if Phil sees his shadow, we will be scrambling for the northern hemisphere. But we’ve made a deal with the Frosts to let winter linger longer this year.”
“Phil… As in Punxsutawney Phil?” I lean over and ask Cherri.
“The very same.” She lowers her voice. “Groundhog shifter.”
She shakes her head like it’s the silliest thing in the world. Seems a bit judgmental considering we shift into fluffy bunnies—or weshouldbe able to.
I haven’t yet.
While Briar hasn’t made a big deal about me never demonstrating in front of the class, I’m sure it has more to do with his guilt over his role in my death. The guilt card may work with getting him to speak to Fate on my behalf or getting out of being called on, but if I can’t demonstrate proficiency in shifting, there’s no way I’ll be getting home come spring.
“You okay?” Cherri asks.
“Yeah. Why?”
Her eyes drop to my empty desk. It takes me a moment to register that it’s not the desk itself but what’s under it that she’s nodding toward. Between my feet, shoots of foxgloves are bunched together, growing up from the soil.
Shit, shit, shit.
Fortunately, she’s the only one who’s noticed. The room is cast in shade while Professor Tess finishes up the lesson. Once she dismisses us, I crouch beneath my desk and tug each one out by the root. The last thing I need is for Briar to see them and somehow piece together that I’m his mate.
His.
Part of me craves a sense of belonging, but it’s obviouslythe bond, harbinger instincts playing tricks on me. It’s not logical. It’s Fate’s magic, forcing these feelings on me. I don’tactuallywant to belong to him or anyone else. I want to go back home.
I also hate that I can’t help but stare the moment he walks into the classroom—glistening raindrops and inky tattoos cascading down his arms.
Cherri leans over. “What’s going on with you?”
“Nothing,” I reply, brushing off the unconvinced and slightly betrayed look she casts me. I shouldn’t push her away, but the more folks who know my secret, the less control I can maintain over the situation. Right now, nothing matters aside from getting back to my world. But I hate the slump to her shoulders as she turns toward the front of the room. Leaning over, I place a gentle hand on her back. “I’ll tell you later.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
Professor Briar hangs up his jacket and then drags a chair over from the corner, setting it in the center of the room. My heel taps nervously against the ground. The last thing I need is more foxgloves springing up beneath my desk.
“Today, you will work in pairs, shifting in and out of your earthside and harbinger forms. I will walk around the room and mitigate any issues, but by this point, everyone should be able to shift, even if it’s inconsistent.” His lavender stare snags mine, and I forget to breathe. “If your partner gets stuck, come grab me immediately.”
Without hesitation, Cherri grabs my hand and guides us over to the front corner of the room. I blink away our professor’s all-too-penetrating stare and glance at the other pairs spreading out.
Cherri nudges me with her elbow. “You first, or me?”
“Um.” I gnaw my bottom lip. “How about you?”
“Sure thing!” She pulls her dress over her head and shrinks down into a small black puff with auburn patches. A few beats later, she pops into her harbinger form.
“That was amazing. Your shift has gotten so smooth.”
She preens at the compliment, then claps her hands together. “Okay, your turn now. You’ve got this.”
I clear my throat, undoing the straps of my suspenders and tugging off my shirt. Cherri’s eyes go wide, but a moment later, her shoulders drop. She leans in. “Where’s your you-know-what?”
