Page 60 of Inked in Bloom
That stops Cherri in her tracks. She turns and grabs my shoulders. “Who?”
“First, I need you to promise you will remember that I don’t want a mate and I have no plans to do a claiming ceremony.”
“Oh no… It’s that bad?”
I nod vigorously.
“So it’s not Tom?”
I huff out a laugh. I shouldn’t be surprised she could say the one thing to cut through the tension pinning my shoulders up by my ears. “No. Our breakfast needs are safe.”
“Dani?” she guesses, wincing as if deeply mortified.
“God no.”
“Phew.” she drags the back of her hand along her forehead. “I heard the reason they’re at the Conservatory and demoted from their usual Radix duties is because they were caught with the Storms.”
Well, that’s certainly interesting. Makes sense that theytold me they are on sabbatical, then. I’ll admit, I still don’t really get what the issue is between summer and spring’s harbingers, but it also seems as though the rest of the seasons don’t like the Storms either, from what we’ve been told in Professor Tess’s class—which isn’t much.
“The suspense is killing me, sister. Who is it?”
I gnaw on my bottom lip.
“Who’d be worse than Dani? Formymate.”
Her eyes dart back and forth a few times, her face contorting with recognition. “No way…Sir Thumps-A-Lot?”
I muffle a laugh as I slap a hand over her mouth, scanning the space for onlookers. “I’m never going to live that down, am I?”
Cherri shrugs. “Really, it says more about our professor than it does about you.”
My cheeks flame, remembering how I wasn’t much better, thumping wildly against the dirt when he scratched my ears. I wrap my arms around myself and shiver.
On the way, I tell her about the meeting with the dean and my new assigned office hours.
“Maybe it’ll be a good thing,” she offers.
“Maybe…” Though I’m certain nothing good will come from alone time with Briar. Not when this bond has a mind of its own.
Worst of all, I’m already looking forward to it.
OCTOBER
25
BRIAR
When I arrive at my office after class the following Monday, Monroe is already waiting for me.
“Someone’s eager.” I yawn and cover my mouth. Juni had me up again last night, the third night in a row. I cross the room, take a seat behind my desk, and pour myself a glass of water, hoping some hydration will revive my wilted state.
“I wouldn’t say eager...but I figure the sooner I get control of my magic, the better. I’d rather not have to repeat the course.” While I believe her, it’s amusing how easily the pretty lies slip from her mouth. This is all to get to the mortal realm.
I don’t understand her obsession with that place. Florezca is beautiful, with every amenity one could wish for. There’s no crime, no dirty streets, no litter, violence, or hate. If she gave this place a chance, she’d see how much we—this world—has to offer her.
A burning ache warms my sternum, and I rub my palm against it. Monroe’s mint stare drops to the movement, and I immediately rip my hand away from where my mate mark hides beneath my button-up. I reach for my water glass and take a sip.
She nervously nibbles her bottom lip, andmy neck pricks with embarrassment. I can’t stop staring. Would she nip mine like that, playful and punishing? Sifting through the air is the telltale powdered-sugar scent of desire. Monroe’s forehead wrinkles beneath her tortoiseshell frames. Has she figured it out yet, or does she still tell herself a different story—that someone’s baking or carrying around treats? Confusion scampers across the bond, but she shakes it away, like a majority of the emotions I’m able to glean when she’s not hiding behind the guise of control.
