Page 128 of Inked in Bloom
“But every season has its purpose. It’s a cycle not meant to be tampered with.”
Who could do such a thing? Why would they?
“It’s a bit tiring always being made out to be the villains. Everyone may have turned their backs on the Storms, but there was someone more powerful who was sympathetic to our plight,” Kara says from behind Skylar.
“Who would do that?” Dani sneers.
“Time.”
“Time?” My brows furrow while I try unraveling the implications. “No one has seen them in decades.”
“No one beyond the veil.” Kara waves off my words like I’m nothing more than a petulant child. “Time’s been here. Disguised as a mortal, but here.”
“Here?” Dani asks, glancing around the room, as if Time is going to pop out and reveal themself.
“No,” Kara sighs. “They had some business to attend to.”
I turn back to the Bloom who brought us here. “Skylar, help me understand. Why would you abandon your post and choose to stay tucked away in some cave most of the year?”
“Aren’t we tucked away beyond the veil in Florezca?” she asks, cocking her head at me.
“That’s different… You have a life there. People who care about you.”
She scoffs. “What people? Your sister? She rejected our bond.Me.” Stepping back a few more paces, she slips her hand into the hand of a Storm with long neon pink-and-purple hair and mismatched eyes. “Her.”
“What?” I rasp, not sure I believe what I’m seeing.
“Bet Corrigan never told you the real reason she rejectedthe bond.” She grabs the hem of her crop top before pulling it over her head. A ranunculus and my sister’s anemone are inked atop her sternum, but instead of their stems twined together, they blossom from branches of glowing white?—
Lightning bolts.
“Don’t worry, no one told me either. Your sister made it seem as though she wanted to wait for me to finish my training.” Skylar huffs out a laugh and shakes her head. “Imagine my surprise last spring when Torynn found me with these very same markings.”
The pink-and-purple-haired Storm unbuttons the top few on her shirt to show us the proof.
“That’s not possible.” My hands shake at my side. “There are no bonded pairings or groups from different seasons.”
“It’s rare, but we aren’t the first,” Torynn says, chin raised as if to sayI dare you to call me a liar.
I won’t. But I’m not so certain about Dani.
“Only one thing could be worse than being bound to the new Bloom failing her courses.” Skylar’s voice cracks, and Torynn puts her arm around her. The pair glance at each other and then over at us. “Being mated to a Storm.”
We don’t have much time. At least I don’t think so. I don’t know how it works here, but I won’t let Dani down after they stayed earthside with me. However, I also refuse to let down my sister.
“Why don’t you come back? Talk to Corrigan. I’ll get special permission for Torynn to come too,” I offer, holding out my hand for her. “The three of you could clear the air, find a way forward.”
If they could meet with Fate?—
“Why fight for a bond with someone who doesn’t want it? We already found a way forward. Together.” Skylar’sbrows pull tight with resolve. “Now she doesn’t have to worry about either of us.”
“What did you do?” Dani asks, rushing forward. I catch them just in time for the Storms’ fingers to ignite, lightning climbing up their arms and rippling out from their irises.
“Go now,” I tell Dani. “Get to your mate.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll be there soon.” I try to sound reassuring, but I can’t go back and tell Corrigan this, and I can’t leave Skylar behind.
