Page 89 of Inked in Bloom
I rub my legs together, and they slide, slick with a surplus of wetness. Widening my knees, I lift the blanket, my attention snapping to the damp splotch on the terrycloth sheet. “What the hell?”
Zelda winces and gives a polite dip of her head toward her clipboard. “While the healer tended to your seasonal sickness, we were unable to give you the inhibitors you’d requested since it was already mid-solstice and you’d started your symptoms before you were brought here.” She gestures at the table. “We’ve stocked the room with everything you requested.”
My stare lands on the tapered butt plugs in an assortment of sizes, each base a large, bedazzled flower. “I don’t remember requesting those.”
She flips the paper in front of her and shrugs. “Oops. Guess that was a happy little accident.”
I withhold my retort and instead point at the pink pot with a button next to the sparkly butt stuff. “What’s that?”
“A speaker.” She attaches her pen to the clipboard. “If you’d like to listen to music or a handpicked selection of erotica.”
“Handpicked by whom?” I gnaw at my bottom lip.
“We’ve curated a library based on your questionnaire.” It feels like half an answer, but she forges on, pointing to the arrow buttons. “Use those to filter through. There are about thirty to choose from, but if nothing strikes your fancy, press the call button and you can make a more specific request. We aim to meet everyone’s tastes and comfort level here at the Center.”
I swallow thickly and draw my knees to my chest. I’m trying to absorb all the information, but the desire is nearly unbearable. Every instinct is telling me to send Zelda away and enjoy thefuck itbuffet sprawled around this enchanting room. My hips shift to ease the discomfort without being inappropriate. I don’t know what I would do if the Center wasn’t here. Probably be out in The Nestling Fields, begging any Bloom in the vicinity to scratch this very persistent itch.
I now understand the warnings everyone was giving me about solstice.
“Where’s Briar? Is he okay?” He wasn’t as bad off as me, but he risked his own health and safety to get to me.
“Radix Briar is in the next room.” Zelda watches me warily. She flips through the clipboard again, muttering to herself.
A vision swirls in my mind. My knees parted. Lavender irises painted with lust. Rough lips kissing up my throat. Soaked briefs. Quivering bodies. The towel dampens beneath me, and I blow out a shaky breath. “Can I see him?”
“I wouldn’t recommend it.” Zelda frowns, skimming over her clipboard and tapping it a few times. “You requested no outside assistance on your questionnaire. However, I assure you great care was taken to ensure you have everything you need.”
I stare at my toys, lifting a hand up as Zelda tries to skirt out of the room. “Did he bring these?”
She glances at the tabletop selection and nods. “He dropped them off after you came by the Center.”
My eyes go wide. “Before I went into rejuvenation?”
“Around then.”
“Why would he do that?”
She’s silent a moment, scrunching her mouth. “Radix Briar has volunteered here most solstices since reaching adulthood. He knows how hard it can be on a newly mated Bloom, especially when they’ve rejected the bond.”
He volunteers here? What did he do? Provideoutside assistance? Heat radiates in my sternum and a growl vibrates up my throat. I sputter a cough, stifling it, grimacing at the woman who’s only trying to help me despite the harshness of her final words.
Rejected the bond.
But there really isn’t a better way to describe it, is there? I didn’t want a mate, hid it from everyone, and hoped it would go away. It didn’t. And now my choice to stay in the mortal realm has made it impossible to ignore.
“I better leave you to it.” Zelda gestures to the machine. “There’s a call button if you need anything.”
“How long will this last?” I ask as the panel slides open.
Zelda halts in the doorway. “A day or two.” The panel shuts behind her. “We’ll bring by meals every four hours and there’s a fridge stocked with food and water as well as snacks.” She points to the corner where a small white fridge sits with a basket atop it. Next to it sits what looks like a freezer with a wide tube that goes up to the ceiling, slightly camouflaged by the wisteria wall. I stare as something slides through the tubing, depositing into the mystery ice box.
“What’s that?” I ask, a bit breathless.
“Erhm…lock-activating serum. You know, to help you with your—” She gets flustered and gestures toward the line of toys.
“Solstice needs?” I offer.
“Yes! Exactly.” She sighs, relieved she doesn’t have to explain further. Guess I’ll just investigate once she’s gone. “Everything in here is for your use. To help you get through your solstice. But don’t worry, this is a private and soundproof corridor.” The way she titters over the wordsoundproofspreads heat across my collarbone. “If you need anything, use the button. Myself or my supervisor will be in to assist.”
