Page 79 of Inked in Bloom
Now I have to hope she’s right and no one notices I’m missing.
33
BRIAR
Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock.
My attention snaps to the urgent rapping at my door. I set down my glass as it opens and my sister steps into the room.
“What is it, Corrigan?”
“Fate’s here.” Her brows furrow, eyes darting from me to the special LED lamp strips glowing on either side of my desk. With solstice approaching, I’ve been trying to preemptively alleviate some of the symptoms.
I clear my throat. “Is there a meeting or something?”
“No.” She sighs and her lips flatten. “She’s here to meet with you.”
I don’t miss the large water bottle peeking out from her purse or her focus on the clock. “Are you leaving?”
“I need to get to the Center.”
Ah.Guess we’re both circling around the same inevitable suffering.
“Very well. I’ll be there as soon as this is over.” Still preparations to attend to before I can get my dose of inhibitors. I try not to be disappointed that the first time I’m getting them in all these decades is after having found my mate. “Go ahead and send her in.”
I take another long swig of water and refill the glass.Placing it on my desk, I clench and unclench my fist under the light, inspecting the flaky skin and deep cracks splitting my palm. I didn’t spend the entirety of spring out in the mortal world, but I did venture out more than I should have. Not that I could help myself. Staying away was impossible without bringing Monroe more harm.
Loads of water, a dose of manufactured sunshine, and after this meeting with Fate, I’ll get to the Center and tend to my minor ailments. Everything will be ready for her. Perfect. Well, as perfect as can be, considering the circumstances.
“Radix Briar. Thank you for seeing me,” Fate says, gliding into the room. She floats in on air, not a single footstep following in her wake. Stopping in front of my desk, she drapes herself over one of the chairs and stares at the cracks along my palms. “I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything.”
“Not at all.” I slip my hands down into my lap. “I just didn’t expect to see you here. It’s not often you meet anywhere other than your Den.”
“This is true. Though mostly because I’m constantly sifting through to find our future harbingers.”
I swallow the lump caught in my throat. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“How do you decide who to bless?” The question sprouted when I took Monroe to the house and showed her the Ever Briars. I’d told myself my earthside parents had moved on from their grief, but in reality, they repurposed it into something beautiful. Their own traditions, just as I had created one of my own through growing the special blossoms there in the first place.
“Contrary to what most believe, mortals are the ones who decide for themselves. I merely find them and help them cross our threshold.” Her rainbow-flecked brows lift.I’ve somehow caught her off guard, which seems impossible when it comes to Fate. “I may have the magic, may be the one to designate their immortal posting, but it’s their choice.”
“I don’t understand.”
“How am I to judge if someone believes their life is full?” She reaches into her dress and pulls out three stones, rolling them in her palm. Lavender, teal, and gold tumble until she snaps her fist shut around them. “I may balance the scales, but balancing a life? Each soul is unique. Some crave love or companionship, others success. Some only wish to be seen, valued.”
“How could my earthside parents move on, then?”If I’d meant so much to them, enough that they still celebrated the day of my birth—my death—then why aren’t they harbingers?
“Whether an immortal or not, everyone leaves a mark. And where there is love, one is truly never forgotten.”
“I suppose.” My jaw goes tight. Why does Fate always talk in riddles? I suck in a breath, lip stinging where it’s split. My insides rattle, desperate to be in the warmth of my mate’s arms. Reaching for my water, I chug, clinking the empty glass against the wood. “What did you come to see me about? Must be important.”
I readjust the light, willing the discomfort to subside.
“It is.” Her rainbow-swirl irises lock with mine. “The veil’s closed.”
“And?” It’s supposed to be. If the veil was open to everyone all the time, the seasons would be a jumble and the mortal realm would be chaos. “Everyone passed through and returned. We’ve had Radixes tracking.”
