Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
As the hubbub from my reveal of da Vinci’s book at the Floral Fete died down and botanists dispersed to wander through the flower gardens and eat, dance, and enjoy the unusually warm February night, Callan took my hand and pulled me under an arbor of apricot-colored weeping begonias.
His hand was warm against mine, and some of the nervous tension that had built up during my bold display in front of Feathergrass eased.
“Seems like he bought it,” Callan said.
“He did. Did you see how quickly he tried to take it from the table?”
“Those must have been some powerful defensive charms you put on it.”
I nodded. “I may have stayed up a little too late last night working on it. Having access to my powers on campus again is proving to be exceedingly useful.”
Callan took my finger and raised his hand, prompting me to do a little twirl in my flouncy dress. “I never thought I liked this era of fashion, but you may have changed my mind.”
“What do you think of the skirt that defies gravity?” I swished the bobbing skirt back and forth, and some of the flowers rose slightly before settling against the fabric once more.
“As long as the wind doesn’t pick me up and float me off somewhere like one of those flying fairy dolls, I kind of like it. ”
Callan stepped closer, and I felt a touch of wind against the back of my neck. “You don’t want the wind to take you places? Because that could be arranged.”
My cheeks heated. “I guess it depends. Where would your wind take me, Callan Rhodes?”
He was getting ready to respond when an origami paper tree floated through the air, and seemingly instinctively, Callan caught it on an open palm.
“Where did that come from?” I asked.
Callan was silent, staring at the tiny folded tree in his hand.
I stepped closer, my instincts kicking in. “What is it?”
“We used to make these and send messages to each other down the hall when we were kids,” Callan’s voice was soft, his jaw stiff as he swung his head around. “Wyatt is here somewhere.”
“Here? At the academy?”
Callan unfolded the meticulously crafted tree, and I leaned over to see handwriting scrawled across the paper.
You know where to find me.
“I take it you know where he’s waiting?” I asked.
Callan nodded before stuffing the tree into his pocket. “He’s in the secret room upstairs. Only tree founders’ descendants can open it. It would be the safest place for us to meet if he didn’t want to be overheard.”
“Do you think he came for the book I just put on display? How would he even know about it?”
Callan’s eyes were slightly narrowed. “I’ll go talk to him. Whatever he wants, it’s better to deal with it sooner rather than later.”
“I’m coming with you,” I said, already beginning to walk toward the academy’s entrance.
“Briar—”
“Remember what you told me? You wanted to protect me from your family until I had access to my powers back. And now I do. You don’t need to protect me any longer.”
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Then he let out a deep breath and met my eyes. “You’re right. I think you may have been right from the beginning. I can’t keep you safe by hiding you away from them. Instead, they need to see that we’re stronger together.”
Then, to my utter surprise, he inclined his head toward the building, signaling for me to join him. “Besides, after that display against Feathergrass, I don’t think anyone could underestimate you, local.”
I fell into step beside him, my heart racing with delight at the shift that had just occurred and anticipation of why Wyatt had come. We went up the stairs, my retro skirt bouncing all the way, until we paused outside the secret wall panel near his dorm.
Callan cupped my face in his hands so gently that his skin hardly touched mine. “I’ve been stronger ever since I met you, and that’s never going to change. Whatever my brother is about to say or do, I want you by my side.”
I slipped my hand into his as he touched his birthstone pendant to the spot below the wall sconce and the hidden panel door swung inward. “Then lead the way, Callan Rhodes.”