Page 95 of Inked in Bloom
My fingers skim up my thigh at the memory of that first climax in this tub. And the ripple of those immediately following. After experiencing solstice alongside Briar, I am certain that washisdesire. Most likely he’d sensed the shifts in my hormone levels—the boost in the pleasure centers of the brain—and he’d been spurred on by it. Clear cause and effect, our very own chain reaction. Science is a magic of its own when you really think about it. And while I didn’t understand the bond, hadn’t wanted to, if I allowed myself to look closer, so much of it made sense.
If I reached between my thighs, he would feel it…
I glance at the clock. He’ll be teaching right about now if it’s a weekday. If it isn’t, he’s probably at home. Either way, there’s something satisfying about fucking with him. I close my eyes, working my fingers in circles on my sensitive flesh, conjuring the memory of Briar’s splayed hand on the glass, smeared fingerprints, and his grip on that pulsing cylinder?—
Knock, knock, knock, knock.
I panic, banging my elbow into the porcelain. My knees knock together and water sloshes over the lip of the tub. “Who is it?”
“It’s me.” Cherri’s syrupy-sweet voice comes through the door, albeit a bit muffled. “There’s someone here to see you.”
I scramble out of the tub, spinning and using my magic to dry off and get dressed.
Guess he got my message. I chuckle to myself.
I thunder down the stairs, halting at the bottom before I run into the dean. She swallows thickly. “Hello, Monroe. I hope you are feeling well rested.”
“I am,” I reply, trying to conceal my disappointment.
Out of the corner of my eye, the calendar shows the date: Monday, August 4. Briar is definitely at class, but his mother is here and I’m not sure why. “What can I help you with?”
“I’m here on official Bloom business.” The dean glances over at Cherri who takes it as her cue to leave. She promptly scurries into the kitchen.
I gesture for the dean to sit on the couch, grabbing the chair across from her for myself.
“Dean—”
“Please, call me Claire,” she corrects, clasping her hands together. “Though, unfortunately, I’m not here today as a mother but as a Radix and Head of the Conservatory.”
I gnaw my bottom lip and wait, my stomach twists in knots.
“Fate let me know you were awake, and I felt it was important we discuss the repercussions of your stunt last season.” She sighs. “While I understand why you were compelled to disregard the rules, they exist for a reason. You endangered not only yourself but Radix Briar and the Bloom ecosystem as a whole.”
“I understand.” I rub my palms along the seams of my skirt. “And I’ll accept whatever punishment so long as everyone else is left out of it. It was my plan and I take full responsibility.”
“Very well.” She zips up her spine. “Monroe Bloom, you are hereby relieved of your duties for this coming spring in the southern hemisphere.” I open my mouth to speak, but she continues on, “You will remain here in Florezca and takepoint in organizing the claiming ceremony to take place at the end of spring. If you do this without issue, you will be allowed back into the mortal realm the following season.”
“What kind of organizing would that even entail?” As far as I’ve been told, it’s a public display where mates claim one another. “Isn’t it basically an orgy?”
Claire brings her fist in front of her mouth, as if stopping herself from saying what she really wants to in exchange for something more suitable. “You have a PhD, correct?”
I nod.
“Time to do your research. I assume a woman with your intelligence is resourceful enough to figure it out from there.”
“I am. Though I have to ask, since it seems like a gross conflict of interest…” My body goes rigid and my nails pierce my palms. “Is this your way of trying to force my hand and claim your son?”
Her eyes go wide. “I wouldnever. This was a decision made by the Radixes, not some personal attack.”
“It’s hard to know the difference considering your entire family is Radixes. That doesn’t seem like a fair decision-making process at all.”
“If you’d taken the time to learn about Bloom customs, you’d know that goes against everything our ceremony stands for.” Her brows tighten into two stiff lines. “Which is clearly why this is a suitable punishment. Weekly updates will be expected as you plan. If you’d rather do those with another Radix, one you won’t feel so…personally attacked by, then so be it.”
“Is that all?” I ask, ready to be left alone so I can sort out where to even begin with my newassignment.
Claire moves to stand, purses her lips, then sits back down, meeting my gaze. “I know we don’t know each otherwell, but something you should know is I’d do anything for my family. That’s why I understand your desire to break the rules.” Before I can explain Richard and Beth aren’t my own parents, she lifts a finger. “Family isn’t something earned by blood. It’s earned by the heart.”
Tears prick behind my eyes, and my attention drops to where her palm rests over her sternum. And with a quick wiggle of her nose, Claire vanishes, leaving me alone with her parting words.
