Chapter 35
Chapter Thirty-Five
When the morning of the Valentine’s Day Floral Fete arrived, the halls of Evergreen Academy seemed more vibrant than usual.
After weeks of underhanded sabotage of Feathergrass’s continued oversight of our classes while trying to keep our studies and research priorities moving forward, we were all ready for a “normal” Evergreen Academy experience.
When I opened the door to let Coral and Aurielle in, a heart-shaped piece of greenery flew into the room and landed on my shirt. When I examined it, I realized it was composed of two simple tree leaves that were fused together in a nearly perfect heart.
“The tree affinities are floating those throughout the building. Can’t let the florals have all the glory today, I guess,” Coral said.
We worked to put the finishing touches on our outfits, makeup, and pinup-style curls. The era we were channeling with our outfits was 1950s and ’60s floral fashions, and Yasmin had raided the costume closet for us.
“You know things are going to go sideways after your reveal, B,” Coral said, touching a bit of cream rouge to her cheeks.
“Yes, so let’s try to enjoy the party until then,” I said, my stomach slightly unsettled at the thought of what I was going to do.
“Professor Sage kept a close eye on all the food preparations, so there should be no carniolica-spiked cupcakes this year,” Aurielle said. She had chosen adorable high-waisted capri pants and an off-the-shoulder floral top, and she was rocking the pinup curls in her mousy blond hair.
“Thank ferns for that. The last thing we need is for members of the Root and Vine Society to be spilling their secrets to Feathergrass.” I did one final check in the mirror.
My dress—which was solid red on the top—was tight fitting through the bodice then exploded into a fluffy skirt of turquoise blue covered in real red and pink flowers.
My lips were as red as the poppy anemones.
Well, even if everything about my plans went sideways and Feathergrass kicked me out of school, at least I would have one last epic fashion night at an Evergreen Academy party.
We filed out of our dorms, joining the stream of students in floral attire, headed to the flower gardens. I tried to focus on the beauty of the moment, on the way the flowers seemed to bloom from every surface, rather than on the nervous bees in my stomach.
I was searching the fields of flowers and tables, wondering if Callan had arrived, when a hand tapped my shoulder. I turned to see Callan extending a flower-shaped cupcake my way. “In case you wanted to get anything off your chest,” he said, a knowing smile gracing his lips.
I shook my head and couldn’t help laughing. “Aurielle already told me Professor Sage checked all the food. No truth serum in the cupcakes this year.”
I took in Callan’s outfit. He was wearing navy pants, suspenders, and a bow tie.
His white shirt was rolled up to the elbows, displaying his tattoos.
I swallowed. He looked very handsome—front-cover-of-a-vintage-men’s-fashion-magazine handsome.
I never imagined suspenders would be the thing to take me down, but there was a first time for everything.
When I came back to my senses, I saw that Callan’s eyes were flicking to my lips. “Do you like the red?” I asked.
His eyes darkened. “You have no idea, local.”
Coral turned away from the conversation she was having and slipped an arm through mine. “Sorry, have to steal her. She promised we could enjoy the party before she flips this whole academy on its head.”
Callan gave a slight incline of his chin. “She’s all yours. For now.”
My stomach flipped as he kept his eyes locked on mine, walking backward a few paces before turning away to join Hollis.
Coral said, “Breathe, darling. We all know he looks good in a suit. Let’s get some rose water lemonade to cool you off.”
We meandered around the party, eating, admiring the gorgeous lengthy garlands the floral affinity students had made of braided-together flowers, and socializing as if everything were normal, until the time finally arrived for us to gather around the floral students’ displays.
In past years, students had wandered through the displays as part of the party. But Feathergrass wanted things to be more academic, so we would each be presenting our design in front of the gathered crowd.
“Welcome, everyone. It’s time to see what our floral affinity students have been up to this year.
As it’s our most abundant affinity, I hope your creations will impress us with their ingenuity.
I’ll be teaching a class on acquiring patents next year, and I will be watching for items I think could make good candidates.
” Feathergrass concluded his introduction and stepped aside.
Next to me, I could practically feel Coral restraining herself from rolling her eyes.
“Patents?” Aurielle whispered, her voice sour.
I knew what she meant. It went against everything Evergreen Academy stood for, which was the open sharing of knowledge in our community and, over time, the distribution of our most helpful finds in the human world.
Extreme profit was never intended to be part of it.
The plants worked with us for free, so why should we profit from their splendor?
One by one, floral affinity students showed us what they had put together for the Floral Fete.
A few had made skincare products and healing ointments, but most of the presentations were valuable because of their beauty.
They presented pressed flower displays of the most delicate flowers, dishes with real flowers embedded into the ceramic, jewelry, hair pieces, and more.
The creations were stunning reminders of the beauty of nature and how little we magical botanists had to do to enhance it.
In a way, the floral affinity students were putting up their own acts of resistance by demonstrating it.
I watched Feathergrass’s face throughout the presentations and could see that he was underwhelmed. What was he expecting? Flower-fueled rockets?
Finally, it was my turn. Professor Tenella had ensured I would be the last to present. While we hadn’t filled her in on what I was doing, for her own protection, I had a feeling she knew I was up to something, and I felt that her playing along indicated she supported it.
I stepped forward and retrieved the large bouquet I had stashed with the other floral presentations. I moved it to the small garden table used for the presentations and let the flowers rest there for a moment. Finally, I spoke.
“My presentation is going to be a little… unusual,” I began.
“The flowers you see here are carrying something precious.” I untied the ribbon around the bouquet, and the flowers fell outward, revealing da Vinci’s book, which I had taken from the tree conservatory.
I let my eyes flick to Feathergrass, who had zeroed in on the book like a hawk.
Good. Let him think this is what I want him to think it is.
“I recently came into possession of a book from the Renaissance period. It is by one of the authors of the Compendium Floracantus, and it contains Floracantus none of us have ever seen before.”
Gasps spread throughout the crowd, and a few people took a step forward, as if they wanted to touch the book.
“There are about forty Floracantus in this book. Many of them have the function of changing the appearance of a plant or enhancing beauty, which is why I thought it was fitting to share it at the Floral Fete, a celebration that has historically been a reminder of the beauty plants provide to the world.”
Feathergrass’s attention hadn’t shifted.
“The book will remain here at the academy, under a phytoglass display, for all to enjoy. I know this is a large find for the magical botanist community, and I want all of us to have equal access to it.”
At that, Feathergrass strode forward and reached for the book as if to remove it from the table. But when he made contact, he drew his hand back with a sharp hiss.
“Careful,” I whispered. “The book doesn’t take well to strangers.” I kept my face straight, but internally, I smiled at the look of disdain on his face, deciding it had been worth it to stay up far too late enchanting the book with powerful defensive spells.
Feathergrass’s lips pressed into a thin line before he relaxed his features and attempted to pull himself together. He turned to the crowd. “We can all agree this is an amazing discovery. It will need to be authenticated and stored for its own protection.”
A few students protested with groans.
I spoke again. “Unfortunately, the book cannot be moved. As part of its defenses, it will stay on this table.” I reached underneath the stand and pulled out the phytoglass cover then settled it over the book.
“The pages will flip every few minutes so students can study them as they wish. This knowledge—created by my ancestor, Leonardo da Vinci—is for all of us. Trust me when I say it is authenticated, as you will soon find out when you begin to try the new Floracantus for yourselves.”
A vein was pulsing in Feathergrass’s neck, but otherwise, he kept his outward appearance surprisingly calm as he spoke again. “Well, I believe this concludes our floral presentations. Everyone, please disperse and enjoy the rest of the party.”
I looked out into the crowd and caught Callan’s eye. He nodded, and I could see pride there. Step one was complete.
Feathergrass moved closer to me as the crowd began to dissipate. “This is a clever little stunt, Briar, but don’t think it will be allowed to stand. The Board of Regents will want that book.”
“Then they can come here and view it. I meant what I said. The book is available to everyone.”
“You didn’t really think you could find the Vanished Compendium and get to keep control over it, did you? You’re a student. Others of much more stature will decide what happens to it. And rest assured you’ll be questioned about how and where you found it.”
I didn’t correct him. We wanted him to think the book was the Vanished Compendium, and he was buying right into those plans.
“If someone wants this book, they are welcome to try to take it,” I said, my voice calm and crisp. And with that, I turned on my heel and walked away, my floral skirt bouncing all around me.