Page 54 of Inked in Bloom
I haven’t wanted to face this truth—done everything I could to avoid it. Now, all at once, I’m slammed by three realizations:
1. Briar Bloom is my mate.
2. He’s clearly unaware of that fact.
3. I need to keep it that way.
23
MONROE
“Everything okay?” Cherri asks as we head toward City Center a few days later. Flowers flank our path from either side, drifting off into other routes where fellow harbingers trek from their cottages. “You ran off pretty quick Friday night after drinking my rosé.”
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
“Is it the mate stuff?” She stops and turns, taking my hands in hers. “I know it’s a bummer that we’ll be getting new roommates, but Roxy and Kendrick?—”
“Wait, what?” I hadn’t thought about that. “New roommates? When?”
“Not sure. But once they do the claiming ceremony in a few months, they will move to an open home on the other side of the Fluffle until new Radixes are chosen. I know they both really want to raise a few sprouts.”
“I’m so happy for them.”
“Me too. Though I’m also really jealous. After you left, they started going on and on about how amazing it is to be able to sense each other’s emotions. Finally getting to open up about their feelings for each other without fear of not being mates.” She sighs dramatically. “I want that.”
“I hope you get it, Cherri. Truly.”
“Youmean that?”
“Of course.” I shrug, hugging around myself while we continue our stroll. “Just because I don’t want it for myself doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with longing for someone to share your afterlife with.”
I’m sure there are plenty of lovely things about it for people who want to be here. Always having someone to come home to, to share your troubles with?—
Hang on. Mates feel each other’s emotions through the bond?
Is that why I’ve had all these emotional outbursts lately?
I think back to the desire I felt last night staring up at the ceiling with my hand between my legs when I tried to relax enough to sleep. Briar is attractive and with this mark, it makes sense to be drawn to him. It was only natural that his face and…other features…came to mind. Wasn’t it?
But what if it had been more than that? What if he’d been the cause of that desire because he’d been with Radix Corrigan. What if as I’d been plunging my fingers into myself, he’d been plunging into her?
Acid rises up my throat. My nails dig into my thighs over my pencil skirt, discomfort swirling in my gut at the image of the two of them together.
Mine—
Nope. There will be none of that.
I wiggle my fingers and fidget with the buttons of my blouse. If she’s also his mate, that should keep him distracted. I’m not thrilled dealing with his emotions on top of everything else, but at least I know how to handle my own.
I slow my breaths, counting them out in my head.Everything’s going to be fine. I’m in control. Briar has no clue he’s my mate and he’s got Corrigan keeping him occupied.
“Mmm, quick fuel up before class?” Cherri’s staring at the robin’s-egg blue cart up ahead.
“Of course.”
Behind the glass, Tom hands a few customers crêpes and to-go cups with thin slips of steam wafting from the lids.
“Hey,” I say, flashing him my best smile when we reach the front of the line.
