Chapter 48 Briar
brIAR
Our weekly Radix meeting comes around, a time to go through quick updates on how spring is going in the southern hemisphere and anything that needs tending within Florezca.
I report how the ceremony plans are progressing, and the rest of the leaders are pleased to hear Monroe’s ideas for the celebration.
It’s hard to believe the claiming will take place in only a few weeks—not that I think about it much aside from helping organize.
“Time to reach out to our Blooms in preparation for the next seasonal changeov—” My mother’s voice hangs on the air, and we all drift our attention to the doorway where Fate stands. “Do you have an announcement?”
“Pretend I’m not here. I have minor business to attend to after you’re all finished.”
It’s near impossible to pretend Fate isn’t there.
Everything about her presence is otherworldly, even as someone who grew up in this world.
It doesn’t help that most of her visits tend to be afterlife altering.
She doesn’t say anything, just stands off to the side while we talk through the last few items on the agenda before we’re dismissed.
“Briar, Dani,” Fate says, once we’ve gathered our things, “I need you two to stay for a moment.”
We shut the door behind the last Radix and meet Fate at the table. None of us take a seat. The air is thick with unspoken tension. We aren’t delusional enough to believe something good could be the cause of her unexpected appearance at headquarters.
“What’s going on?” Dani asks.
Fate tucks her long, colorful strands behind her rose-gold ears and clasps her hands in front of her. “There’s a delicate situation I need you two Rescue Riders to handle.”
My brows pull together. “And the other Radixes can’t know about it?”
“There’s one in particular who can’t.” Her prismatic focus flits between Dani and me. “This is where your discretion is imperative.”
“You have our word,” Dani says.
I nod in agreement. “What do you need us to do?”
“We haven’t been able to locate one of our harbingers. Her assigned partner for the season hasn’t seen her in three days.”
“That is pretty usual if they split up to cover a larger region.” I slip my hands into my pockets. “Where is she working?”
“Patagonia. She hasn’t checked in with any of the other Blooms. No one has seen her.”
Patagonia is spread across the southern part of South America and includes parts of Argentina and Chile.
It’s beautiful in the spring, a place I usually look forward to visiting after having served there a handful of times.
But going there for a rescue, not so much.
With mountainous terrain and a vast landscape to cover, it’s easy to get lost if you don’t know your way around.
“Is she mated?” I ask, running through the simplest solutions I can come up with. “Couldn’t they find her?”
“Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.” Fate purses her lips. “Which is why I need your promise to keep this contained, at least for the time being.” After hesitating a moment, she finally speaks, tone low. “The missing harbinger is Skylar.”
Dani’s hand comes to their mouth. “Oh shit.”
With Corrigan rejecting and pushing away the bond for years, it wouldn’t be as strong.
I was able to get to Monroe relatively quickly, but we still had frequent contact.
Corrigan, on the other hand, chose not to visit the mortal world this spring.
Having to monitor new Blooms in an official capacity last season helped, but when the Conservatory asked her to do it again—she’d refused, claiming it would be too hard.
I still don’t understand why she’s so hellbent on resisting the bond.
Skylar seems kind, at least as a student, and she’s a full-fledged Bloom now.
“Do you have any idea where she’d go or why?” I ask.
“Do you think she was taken? Like the others?” Dani’s hands twitch at their sides.
“I’m not sure…” Fate’s gaze drifts off, like she’s forgotten we’re in the room with her anymore. “If she was…I don’t know if we’ll see her again.”
Whatever she is thinking about or seeing, she’s clearly not as in control as I thought. She’s always moved through the world with such ease. Something I admired about her, envied even. But right now, she’s rattled, and that concerns me.
I drum up my resolve. “Then we better find her.”
“If the Storms took her, we’ll make them pay,” Dani adds.
“No, you won’t,” she replies simply, finally returning to the present.
“Why not?” Dani’s hands clench into fists. “Isn’t there something you can do to stop them?”
They’re pissed and I understand why. Having to miss seasons and go back to the basics, that would be humiliating for any Bloom, especially a Radix who’s put in so many years of work. Now, our sister’s mate is in potential danger.
“If I could, I would.”
I don’t understand the defeat in Fate’s tone. We’re taught she’s the most powerful being among the harbingers. She creates us, fills us with purpose, tethers our mate bonds. While I know logically she was once a mortal like the rest of us, I never truly believed it. Not until now. “Why can’t you?”
Fate’s chin lifts, that ethereal role rising to the surface. “You may be a Radix, but there are things that still go above your purview.”
“When do we leave?” Dani asks.
“I’m going to give our Blooms that are already out there another three days to search, but if nothing turns up, you’ll have to go.”
Dani shifts uncomfortably on their heels. “What happens if we don’t find her before season’s end?”
“You’ll return without her.”
“Daddy!” My girls shout from the kitchen table the moment I walk through the door. Their hands are caked in gray. Standing over Millie—arms wrapped around her and guiding her small hands—is Monroe. She smiles at me, laughing as Juni hops out of her chair and runs to throw herself around me.
“Monroe is teaching us how to make our own flowerpots,” she says, hopping back to her seat and lifting a slightly lopsided pot. “Do you like it?”
“It’s amazing.” I take my time admiring each closely as the girls show them off. “They all look incredible.”
Lilly pinches around the edges of hers, then picks up a tool, smoothing it out. “Will you fill them for us when they’re done?”
“Of course.”
“Daddy can do yours,” Taylor says, that preadolescent attitude in full effect. She looks next to her and grins. “I want Monroe to do mine.”
“Sorry, Daddy.” Lilly grimaces and focuses on their impromptu art instructor. “Monroe, can you do mine too?”
She beams at them. “I’d be honored.”
There’s a twinkle in her stare, but she turns and mouths “sorry.” I shake my head at her. There’s nothing for her to apologize for—I couldn’t be happier.
Once Monroe stopped hating me long enough to give our bond a chance, I worried telling her about my daughters would scare her off. But that fear was eclipsed by the knowledge that Fate had entwined our paths. She didn’t do that without reason.
Loving Monroe came easily, not just to me but to the girls. They adore her. Even though she isn’t set in her decision about our future, it’s important Monroe knows she has a place in our family no matter what she decides to do about the mate bond.
Monroe helps the girls finish up and sends them to the bathroom to wash the dried clay off their hands. She sidles up beside me at the sink, washing hers. “How was the meeting?”
“Pretty uneventful.” I pull out a pot and griddle in preparation for our weekly grilled cheese and tomato soup night. “After the meeting was another story.”
“Oh really? What happened?” She towels off her hands and leans back against the counter. “Never mind, you don’t have to tell me.”
“I don’t. And I probably shouldn’t…but you’re my mate, so I’m going to anyway. I’m sure Dani will tell Cherri.”
“That sounds ominous.” She scoots closer so I can whisper while I pull slices of bread out of the bag.
“I’m afraid it is. Hoping I’m wrong.” I glance over my shoulder, ensuring we are alone. “Skylar’s missing.”
“What?” Her concern slams into me. “Could she have been snatched up by the Storms?”
“Maybe?” I purse my lips. “It seems early for that. Normally it’s been during the overlap. It’s still a bit too soon for summer in Patagonia.”
“Does Corrigan know?”
“No. And Fate made it clear she’s not to be made aware of the situation,” I mutter. “If she’s sensed any distress from Skylar’s end, she hasn’t let on.” Monroe starts on the soup while I prep the sandwiches. “I know my sister comes off a bit thorny, but she’s not heartless. She would’ve told us.”
“Corrigan may not have liked me when she was keeping tabs on us last spring, but I’m certain she wouldn’t have let any harm come to us.
Even if she refuses to accept the bond, she still cares about Skylar.
” Monroe stops talking as the girls run past, but once they are in the living room, she continues. “So what happens next?”
Her nerves press against my ribs, as if trying to burrow between them. And while I hate she’s worried, the realization that she hasn’t tried to reel back the emotion from my reach brings me a strange sort of comfort.
“If she’s not located in the next few days, Fate is sending Dani and I there. A Rescue Rider mission we can’t tell the other Radixes about. Not without risking it getting back to my sister.”
Monroe swallows and her nerves prickle through me. “How long will you be gone?”
“I’m not sure.” I wrap my arms around her, nuzzling her nose with my own. “Fate said if we don’t find Skylar by the end of this spring, we’ll have to leave her behind.”
Monroe stares up at me. “That doesn’t sound like something a Rescue Rider would do.”
“It’s not.” For the first time since I was given this task, it hits me how much I don’t want to go. I know it’s my duty, but I’d rather remain here with the people I love. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
Monroe’s cheek rests on my chest. Her apprehension wriggles through our bond, but she keeps her tone calm. “So you and Dani might not be back before the claiming ceremony?”