Chapter 26 Monroe
MONROE
Week by week my magic becomes more consistent.
When I get stuck, I refer to what Briar taught me about magic being an energy flow, using exercises to unblock my emotional resonance.
Each session together feels like walking a tightrope I’m guaranteed to fall from, but I still show up.
I always thought I was in control because I could rationalize what I felt, but that wasn’t experiencing the emotion or processing it.
Turns out even in death I’m a work in progress.
But I choose to see it as an asset. Being a work in progress leaves room for growth.
For magic.
Before our last day of classes, we arrive bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to find out our assignments for spring in the mortal world.
Cherri leans over and taps me on the shoulder. “Have you decided if you’re going to the claiming ceremony tomorrow?”
“I have.” I place a hand over hers, giving it a squeeze. “As much as I want to be there to support Roxy and Kendrick, I think it’s better I skip it.”
Since we haven’t been out delivering spring, we won’t go into solstice ourselves, but the possibility of running into Briar and Corrigan is enough to keep me away.
Though I’ve spotted them together a few times around City Center, I try to ignore them.
I’ve avoided The Warren since the night at The Velveteen Rose on the off chance I’ll run into them or Tom.
Fortunately, aside from being drawn to Briar, I haven’t dealt with the withering he warned me about.
I keep waiting to feel miserable, but other than the vagrant emotion weaseling its way through the bond, it hasn’t been anything distressing.
If I didn’t know any better, I’d think the whole “rejecting your mate will cause the bond to wither” warning is their way of encouraging harbingers to go along with it and not ask questions.
After all, we’re always apt to go for the less painful option when given a choice.
Cherri nods in understanding. “I’ll pop in for the first bit, then grab some pizza for us on the way home. Movie night?”
“Sure! What did you have in mind?”
“Hmm… I’ve been on a musical kick lately.” Her rich-purple irises light up with excitement. “How about a classic? Grease?”
“Oh, count me in.” It’ll be the perfect time to hatch a plan for spring before we go into rejuvenation.
The dean walks in, and Cherri grabs my hand. “Here we go!” Her grasp quivers a bit around mine. It never occurred to me that she would be nervous. Everything has been seamless for her for the most part.
Dani reclines back in their chair, feet up on the desk and arms crossed. They clearly do not give a single fuck about this assignment. I’d feel the same way if I’d served as many springs as they had and was treated as if I were starting from scratch.
The dean clasps her hands in front of her.
“As spring’s time seems to become shorter and shorter each year, it is imperative that we utilize as many Blooms as possible while also staying safe.
” She glances at Briar a moment, and though his expression is unreadable, tension zips down my spine.
What if the work I’ve put in these last eight weeks isn’t enough to change her mind about wanting me to defer? Nerves flutter in my gut.
Finally, a smile draws across her face. “I’m happy to announce that due to your hard work, everyone in this class will be going to the mortal realm this spring.”
I gape. A few classmates cheer. Dani gives an annoyed grunt between popping their gum.
I peek at Professor Briar whose confusion and nausea bubble through me.
Was he that anxious about my progress? Did he not think I’d graduate?
His lavender stare catches me eyeing him, and I turn back to the dean.
She raises her hand in front of her, and the chatter of students fades into silence.
The professors walk around placing small ceramic pots on each of our desks. They’re empty aside from the plot of soil inside. It feels like some sort of test, and for a moment, I’m scared I’ll fail and the opportunity to get back to my world will be ripped away.
Kitt gestures toward them and the one in his hands.
We follow suit and pick up the empty planters.
“Imbue the seedling with your magic,” Tess comes up beside him and sticks her hand in the soil, wriggling her nose, “and learn what path blooms before you.” A flower grows above the lip of the pot and opens.
I lean forward to see what it is, but a sage hand blocks my view.
Professor Briar unrolls the long paper and holds it up for the class, reading it off with a goofy grin on his face. “Happy first spring, graduates.”
I cradle the pot in one hand and press my other against the moist dirt.
Magic buzzes beneath my palms, flowing into the soil.
There are gasps around me, but I keep my attention honed on the small bud poking up from the dirt.
A dozen thin petals ripple open until a single word on a slip of paper stares up at me…
Lisse.
My brows knit.
A shadow looms over me. “Looks like you’re stuck with me.”
“Guess so!” I twist around to where Skylar stands, showing me her matching paper. “Where is Lisse, though?”
“The Netherlands. Didn’t you read up on the assignments?”
“Apparently not enough.” Or not at all, considering it was nowhere near the United States’ East Coast or near the top of my list.
Fuck.
“Where are you headed, Cherri?” I ask, trying to sound chipper despite her visible frown. I know she wanted to be close to each other, but maybe there’s still hope.
She flips her paper, not thrilled by whatever it is.
USA: East Coast
I squeal, then clamp a hand over my mouth. “That’s so exciting for you.”
And us.
If Cherri is able to get me an update on everyone, I can figure out how to help them, even if it’s only from afar this season. Once I get back to Earth, I’ll have a better idea what’s possible.
Skylar crosses her arms, tossing her pink side-swept bangs out of her face. “You squeal for her but are disappointed for our elite assignment?”
“No, it’s not that.” I swallow thickly, formulating an appropriate response. “I was hoping for somewhere else.”
“This was my first pick. Lisse in spring is a dream.” Skylar places a palm over her sternum and lifts her chin. “What was your top choice?”
“The Midwest US.”
Her brows scrunch and she sneers. “You can’t be serious.”
I know they won’t send us to where we are from.
They don’t want to risk us interfering with mortals, which is apparently the number one rule for harbingers.
So I put the next best region I could think of, figuring once I learned the ropes, I could use them to wrangle the rules.
There’s always a work-around. I just need to find it.
The dean whistles, and everyone’s attention zips back to her and our other professors situated at the front of the classroom.
“Congrats on all your assignments and on graduating Bloom Conservatory. But don’t get too excited.
” Her tone is low and serious. “It’s going to be hard work.
Draining on your magic. It takes a special endurance to last the season.
Endurance you all, quite frankly, haven’t developed.
” She swallows thickly. “It’s your duty to get ample rest during rejuvenation.
Once you’re out in the mortal realm, you will need to stay safe, help us bring the best spring ever, and keep your eyes peeled, especially as summer and its Storms draw near. ”
Well, that sounds ominous.
“Remember, just because you are immortal doesn’t mean you are free from danger or consequence.
” Dani scoffs from the side of the room, but the dean ignores them and continues.
“It is unorthodox for us to let Blooms do this so quickly. Therefore, your pairings will be under the supervision of a Radix. Fortunately, you already happen to have a Radix in your class.”
My brows scrunch. The dean’s gaze passes over Briar and heads for the grumpy harbinger with their feet posted up on their corner desk. “Radix Daneel will be in charge of you all this spring.”
The class applauds, and the gum-chewing jerk sighs in clear annoyance.
I don’t have confidence in them as a supervisor, but that could work to my advantage.
Besides, I’m relieved. Between rejuvenation and this assignment, I’ll have six months away from this unwanted bond and the Bloom on the other end of it.
If I was able to get through the last season unscathed, two more with plenty of distance will be a piece of cake.