Page 78 of Inked in Bloom
“Yep.” I nod, swinging my leg over the floracycle. There definitely could have been worse assignments, but it’s been draining. The hum of my magic quiets with each passing day.
We press our palms against our sternums and shift, bounding between flowers to our drop-off point. Theground falls inward, soil spreading until our way back appears. Skylar dives into the rabbit hole, and I follow, landing in the City Hall auditorium.
The moment I shift, I spin, finding a familiar face staring back at me. I can’t contain my smile. “You’re here!”
Cherri pushes a few wilted Blooms out of the way and throws her arms around me. “Miss me?”
“Of course I did.” I pull back and scan her over. She looks exhausted, as we all do from a full season of work. “I’m so sorry you were punished because of m?—”
She lifts a hand to stop me. “No apologies allowed. We’re friends and you needed me. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Thank you,” I say, holding out my hands for her. She takes them and I squeeze, looking her in the eyes, needing to convey every ounce of sincerity I feel. “You know I’d do the same for you, right? All you have to do is ask.”
“Duh!” She nudges me with her hip and smiles. “Now tell me, how was the Netherlands?”
It was a beautiful assignment, one I enjoyed more than I expected, but it wasted valuable time I could have used back home.“It was stunning.”
Cherri shakes her head at me. “Lucky bitch.”
“You know me,” I tease. Then, despite knowing it’s illogical, I glance around for Briar. I can’t stop myself. I blame the inexplicable pull to him that no amount of reasoning can outsmart.
Fate’s still on my shit list.
For whatever reason, all the harbingers adore her. In my opinion, she’s far too meddlesome for her own good.
Maybe I’d see it that way if I didn’t have more important things to concern myself with. “How was the East Coast?”
“East Coast spring is busy and bustling.” Cherri glancesto her sides and lowers her voice. “Navigating DC was a nightmare. I didn’t get to see anyone before I got in trouble.” She drags her gaze across the room and glares at Dani. “I was about to hop inside your old practice whensomeonemade it their business to get in my way.”
My jaw goes slack. I’d expected it had been Briar or Corrigan. Why would Dani get involved?
“They’re not even the rule-following type,” I hiss. Add this to the list of reasons why Radix Daneel is worth avoiding. “Can’t believe they ratted you out. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.” Cherri sighs, then purses her lips. “Guess after getting in trouble and demoted, Dani decided it was worth it to be overprotective. Asshole.”
“Complete asshole,” I agree, though when I glance at Cherri watching Dani, she doesn’t look angry.
Not that I have time to dwell on it. The longer I linger, the smaller my window of opportunity gets. I place a hand on Cherri’s shoulder and pull her close. “I know this is a lot to ask, especially after I got your travel privileges revoked, but would you be up for one more broken rule?”
“Obviously.” She smiles and huffs out a laugh. Yawning, she looks around the room at all the Blooms returning and reuniting. “Not much happens between now and rejuvenation anyway.” Her dark-maroon brows lift toward her hairline. “What is it?”
Taking a deep breath, I maintain an even tone. Corrigan isn’t Briar’s mate, so it’s more necessary than ever I keep my emotions in check. “I need you to take me on a quick trip. Then you’ll pop right back here before anyone notices.” I shoot her a lopsided smile. “Pretty please?”
“With a Cherri on top?” she replies with a wink, no hesitation.
I bow my head. “Of course.”
“Done.” She shifts into her bunny form, and I follow suit, her ears wrapping tightly around mine. Before I can exhale, she hop, hop, hops up the dais, dragging me with her, jumping headfirst into the hole. Ears tangled, we zoom through the tunnel, giggling like madwomen. In a flash, we shoot out of the hole, whizzing past a park bench, and land in the grass. Cars whip by in the distance and my throat clogs up.
I’m back.
“Thank you for doing this,” I manage, grateful to be able to chat easily while in our bunny forms. We don’t have much time and she needs to leave before the rabbit hole closes up. But I refuse to panic. Briar must remain none the wiser. I nuzzle my furry body against Cherri’s.“If you do happen to get in trouble?—”
“I was born for trouble.” She gives me a playful graze of her whiskers.“Don’t worry about it. Everyone’s gonna be busy with solstice prep. It’s the perfect distraction. Just be quick.”She waits for me to nod in agreement. Confirmation that I’ll be back. Once I do, she gives me a nod.“See you soon.”
I keep my chin lifted and maintain eye contact.“See ya.”
The lie is bitter as I swallow it down, but it’s safer to give her what she needs so she’ll go. I can’t risk her getting in trouble on my behalf again or, alternatively, warning anyone out of concern for me. With perfect precision, she dives into the hole, the dirt swallowing her up as it closes.
