Page 49 of Inked in Bloom
It hasn’t grown at all since yesterday, but it’s still there, waiting expectantly for me.
Inhaling deeply, I imagine it growing like the curved stalk did in Botany. I hold out my hands and wriggle my nose.
Seven desperate attempts later, a knock at the door startles me.
“Time to go,” Roxy calls from the hallway. “Need some help getting dressed?”
“Yes,” I groan, dragging a hand over my face.
This is hopeless. How am I going to make it through the second half of training if I can onlyuse my magic once in a while?
No.I snip the spiral before it goes further. The fact is, I grew that sprout in the windowsill and the budding stem in Botany. I have been able to do this and I can do it again.
Iwilldo it again.
Before the self-doubt creeps back in, I rush for the door and wave Roxy inside the room. Tonight, I’m going to go out and let loose with my friends. After all, relaxing and desire are the two things left on my carefully crafted list of variables.
“Wow.” My eyes go wide, taking in Roxy’s glittering champagne dress with a sweetheart neckline displaying the inked swirls of her flourish marks. The skirt flares out, hitting below her knees, and she’s got on a matching set of slingback kitten heels. “Any requests?”
Have fun. Let loose. Get my magic. Get home.
“Something sexy,” I say, lifting my chin. “Bold.”
Sometimes the way to get out of a funk is to dress as if you aren’t in one. I want to feel alive and in control. Truth is, it’s the furthest thing from how I’d describe myself, but I need this. A night to try to unlock my magic and ignore the unwanted brand between my breasts.
She twirls a finger, so I spin.
When I stop, I’m in a black lace top with a bralette beneath. It leaves a few inches of skin exposed above the long, flowing chiffon skirt paired with lacy heeled booties.
There’s a low whistle from the hall.
“Looking great, Monroe.” Stopping in the doorway, Kendrick is in a white button-up, suspenders, and a pair of charcoal-gray pinstripe trousers.
“Aren’t you two fancy?” I scan him and then Roxy appreciatively, then look back at my outfit. “I didn’t realize dinner was going to be such a formal affair.”
Walking over to the mirror, I double check that my mate mark is hidden.
“LaFerns is the nicest restaurant in Florezca,” Cherri says, waltzing into my room. Her dark-maroon hair is twisted atop her head with roses peppered through the strands, and she primps it in our reflection. “I can’t wait to have their vignarola.” My brows bunch, and she continues. “It’s a spring stew with seasonal vegetables, pancetta, lemon, mint… Mmm, I’m already drooling.”
“Sounds intriguing,” I lie, because the vegetable-to-meat ratio is the opposite of what I’m in the mood for. What I wouldn’t do for a big, juicy burger, some fries, and a tall chocolate malt.
“Well, shall we?” Kendrick asks, holding out his elbow to Roxy. Cherri does the same to me, and we follow behind them, striding through the night breeze toward The Warren.
22
MONROE
“I’m so glad you were up for coming out tonight, Monroe,” Cherri says between spoonfuls of vegetable stew.
“Same.” I cut into my braised lamb shank and dip it into the accompanying sauce. “I wanted to thank you all for helping me out since I got here.”
“Of course.” Cherri sets down her spoon and reaches for my free hand, giving it a squeeze while not breaking eye contact. “We’ve all been there.”
“You’ve honestly been taking it really well.” Kendrick nods along and scoops up some strawberry shortcake, shoving it into his mouth. He ordered two. As his dinner. I’d expect nothing less from a group of immortals.
“I still can’t believe you jumped right into training,” Roxy says with a shake of her head and long sigh that tells me how crazy she thinks it is.
Cherri grins and lifts her veggie-filled spoon at me. “Seriously badass.”
