Chapter 13 Briar
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Despite Monroe asking me to stay away, I can’t help but double check she makes it home without getting lost. Once she crosses The Fluffle’s threshold, I veer in the direction of The Nest, her words haunting me the rest of my ride.
Finally home for the evening, all I want is a big glass of water, to say goodnight to my sprouts, and get to bed. But the moment I walk through the door and spot Dani sitting at the kitchen table, alert and waiting for me, that plan scampers away.
“What is it?” I ask, already knowing I’m not going to like whatever they have to say.
“Do I really have to keep going? We both know it’s a waste of time for me to be in class.”
“I don’t disagree.” I take a glass out of the cabinet and fill it to the brim with water. The first sip is so refreshing that I don’t stop guzzling until it’s halfway empty. “But this is what Fate decided was best.”
“And Fate makes the rules,” they taunt, bobbing their head with each word. “I know I went rogue in dealing with the Storms, but can you blame me?”
“I don’t blame you at all. I understand why you did it, just wish you would have thought it through a bit first.”
“Can’t you talk to Fate for me? What’s the point of being a Radix and having power if you won’t use it?”
“Being a Radix isn’t about power. It’s about leadership.” I fill a pitcher up and carry it to the table, sitting down. “Keeping the Blooms thriving.”
They cock their head. “Thriving, huh? Not sure that’s how I’d describe you lately. This chipper mood of yours…” Dani watches me top off my glass. They meet my gaze and arch a brow. “Got anything to do with the incident earlier…Sir Thumps-A-Lot?”
My jaw tightens.
They clamp their lips together, stifling a laugh. “Personally, I think the moniker suits you. Why not switch to it permanently?”
I swig back more water, gulping until the glass is empty, and set it down a little too aggressively. “Are you done?”
“Not even close.” Dani crosses their arms. “But I am curious why you never mentioned it before. Or her. Who is she?”
“She’s the one who took care of me when I was earthside.” The one part of being stuck in the mortal realm that I haven’t been able to get out of my head. I thought going back to teaching right away would help. But here she is, in my classroom, in my world—a Bloom.
“Ah. I thought she looked familiar. The blonde whose lap you were dozing in when I came for you. I figured we’d crossed paths in The Warren or something.” Dani gives me a wink, clearly trying to smooth my sour mood. Usually it works, but tonight? It’s impossible.
Dani picks up the pitcher and pours my next glass, rich pink brows scrunching together. “When did she cross over?”
“When we did.” I wipe away the sweat beaded at my brow. I haven’t been able to stop since she confronted me outside The Nestling Fields. My initial and idiotic excitement over seeing her again was quickly replaced by guilt. “Apparently, she chased after me and got hit by a bus.”
Dani grimaces. Even they see how bad this is.
The numerous Blooms I’ve rescued over the years is something I’ve prided myself on but all those wins feel hollow now. Monroe rescued me, did her best to nurse me back to health, and what did she get in return?
“You’re the reason I’m dead.”
She’s right. It’s my fault.
“Well, class is going to be fun tomorrow.” Dani sighs and stretches their arms.
“All the sprouts in bed?” I ask, eager to change the subject. I’m not ready to think about seeing her again. My gaze drifts down the hallway, to the door open just a crack. It’s completely dark aside from the faint glow of a night-light.
“Those three are.” Dani chuckles, then nods at the staircase. “Juni is up in your room. Refused to go to sleep.”
“I’m not surprised.” She’s my most restless sleeper, has been since she came into my care two years ago. “Thanks for watching them.”
“Of course,” Dani says with a yawn. Pushing out from the table, they roll their shoulders, and grab their Rescue Rider jacket from the chair. “Gotta hang out with my nieces-pieces while they still think I’m cool.”
They love their Didi and I’m lucky to have grown up with such an incredible Bloom family. They are everything to me. I don’t know what I would have done without Dani, Kitt, and Tess watching over the girls while I was stuck earthside.
“Kitt and Tess are still out, if you want to join them.” Their night is still young, while mine is thankfully coming to a close. I had no desire to go to The Warren in the first place, but Corrigan insisted I take her.
“Shit. I completely forgot.” I frown and reach into my pocket, grabbing a few messenger bulbs. “Can you send these on your way out? There are some Blooms I spoke with tonight who are interested in joining the Rescue Riders.”
“Sure thing, brother.” Dani holds out their hand, and I drop the notes into their palm. Quickly, they slip the bulbs into their jacket pocket. “Think they’ve got what it takes?”
“I do. After last spring, it’s clear we need more of us.
” It took Dani two months to get to me last time.
What if it happens again? Or to another Bloom?
With the way things have been going with summer and the growing number of disappearances, anyone who’s willing to brave the Storms gets a chance to be a Rescue Rider.
“If I don’t complain about going through the Conservatory again, would you be willing to put in a word with Fate about letting me help with their training?”
“I’ll see what she says, but I think that’s a great idea. They could use your expertise.” And after what happened with Monroe, training recruits would just remind me how much I fucked up. Any extra time outside of teaching should be spent with my girls. I was away from them for far too long.
“Thanks, brother. See you tomorrow.” Dani slips out the door, and I head down the hallway, peeking into the girls’ room. Three out of the four bunks are full with Taylor and Lilliana in one and Millie in the other top bunk. The bunk beneath hers is empty.
I sigh as I stare at it a moment, then I brush a kiss on each of my daughters’ foreheads, fix their blankets to keep them snuggled up, and head upstairs. Juni smiles as I enter the room. She’s seated at the center of the bed with my copy of Alice in Wonderland open in her lap.
“What are you still doing up?”
“Reading.” She flips a page, beaming at the white rabbit zipping down his hole, copper pocket watch trailing behind him. “I had a nightmare.”
I arch a brow at her. “I heard you hadn’t even gone to bed yet.”
“If I did, then I would have a nightmare. Besides, Millie’s snoring makes it impossible to fall asleep.” She sits up on her knees and holds her arms out for me to pick her up. I do and she giggles, nuzzling her nose against my beard. “Can I stay here with you? Pretty please?”
She stares up at me with those emerald eyes, and if it isn’t just a kick to the chest.
“Sure, Juni B.” I give her a quick squeeze and kiss her cheek, setting her back onto the comforter. “But tomorrow, you have to promise to go to bed on time.”
“I promise.”
“Uh-huh.” I’m not counting on it. She’s been coming in here most nights since I got back from the mortal world. “Give me a few minutes to get ready for bed, but I’m going to go ahead and tuck you in.”
“Okay.”
I brush my teeth and change into my pajamas, a pair of long gray-and-white-striped pants. Juni is already nestled under the comforter, eyes fluttering, on the cusp of sleep. Always fighting it.
“Sweet dreams.”
“Sweet dreams, Daddy.” She keeps her eyes closed, each word she exhales is slow and labored. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Juni B.” I retuck the comforter around her small form. “Now get some rest.”
Grabbing the water glass on my night table, I empty it in two long swigs, then turn off the light.
In the dark, another pair of emerald eyes fills my mind, drilling into me with an intensity that barrels straight through my ribs.
“Just stay out of my way… Outside of class, you don’t exist to me.”
She wants me to stay as far away from her as possible. Giving her that is the least I can do. After all, haven’t I already done enough?