The Apothecary Arts Club had set up a large booth overflowing with ingredients and glass jars of various shapes and sizes. They were offering to help us make perfumes, lotions, teas, and other items as gifts for our families or souvenirs from the vernal equinox. I made a mental note to stop by and create a perfume for Aunt Vera. With all the various extra studying I was doing, I hadn’t had much time to experiment with plant-based creations just for the sake of it.
I ordered an elderflower spritz and clinked glasses with Coral. We glanced back toward the trellis and saw that Aurielle and Yasmin had both made it in.
“That was quick,” Coral said as they approached. “Professor Tenella must approve.”
“She threw me a question about ferns,” Yasmin explained, “Total softball. And she asked Aurielle a photosynthesis question that a high schooler should be able to answer.”
Once Coral and Yasmin had their drinks, we took turns making cosmetics and perfumes at the apothecary booth then got in line for the glass-bottom boat rides. I made sure to admire the spectacular potted ferns that were scattered around the area, shimmying nonstop.
Just as I was about to climb in with my friends, Nevah cut to the front of the line and looped her arm through mine. “Mind if I steal her?”
My friends widened their eyes at the sight of the second-year founder’s descendant, suddenly shy in the presence of the most powerful aquatic here, but they all nodded simultaneously. “Thanks,” Nevah said sweetly and took over the wooden paddle from one of the other aquatics.
“I was hoping to catch up with you today. We can squeeze in another lesson.”
“You don’t even take the equinox off?” I asked her playfully.
“It’s not as much of a holiday when you’re a second-year. I spent the last hour setting up my research for display.”
“What are you planning to do next year?” I asked, surprised it had never come up before. I didn’t know much about the internships that occurred during the third year.
Nevah easily rowed us away from shore, and we took off in the opposite direction of the boat my friends were in. “I want to combat invasive species. Invasive aquatic plants are some of the most detrimental to native habitats. I’m hoping to get an apprenticeship with the magical botanical field office back in Michigan. The Great Lakes could use some support. If I don’t get picked up for an internship with the aquatic conservatory, that is.”
“Wow, good for you. That sounds like important work.”
“Look down,” Nevah said, and I peered at the glass along the bottom of the boat. Tiny fish were zooming by, and plants were brushing along the bottom eagerly, as if saying hello. “It never gets old.Mundare aquam,” she said, and the water beneath the boat became even more clear.
“A purification Floracantus?”
“It’s the reason my hair is so silky. Keepsome aquatic plants in your shower, and have them purify your water before you wash.”
“Thanks for the tip.” I looked down again, now able to see all the way to the bottom of the pond. The fish and plants moved around in all their colorful, viscous glory.
“So, why did you really invite me out here?” I asked. I’d sensed another motive from her the moment we climbed into the boats, and I noticed a slight shake in her hands as she’d first dipped the oar into the water.
“That obvious, huh?” Nevah sighed and studied the water. “I’m nervous about tonight. I don’t know how much Callan has told you about the Board of Regents, but they’ve been wanting to get a tighter grip on this place for years. I feel like having them assist with the recharging of the verdant shield is going to open the door for more oversight.”
“Yeah, Callan mentioned that some of them might have personal agendas.”
“That’s putting it mildly. They have different priorities for graduating magical botanists than the school, which has historically allowed us to explore any avenues we are interested in.”
“Like what?”
“They want magical botanists to have more influence in the world. They’d like to see more of us in government positions or situated on the boards of influential private companies and nonprofits. That’s not always a bad thing, but that can’t be the only path. Magical botanists are not a monoculture. Some may be suited for leadership, but others want to do field work in remote villages, or open restaurants, or pursue art. It’s always been the academy’s mission to support space for all of that.”
I swallowed, the sense of foreboding that I’d felt thatmorning returning. I was one of those students who planned to pursue art. If the Board of Regents took over and things changed next year, where would that leave me?
“Is there anything we can do to stop it?” I wondered why Nevah was telling me all this.
“I’m graduating this year, and my internship, if I get it, won’t have me returning here very often. Eli Quinn will be gone as well. But you’ll be here next year. You and Callan. I know you’re not a founder’s descendant, but with you having all of the affinities, I think you’ve got an important role to play here, should you choose to.”
“So you want me to… keep an eye on things?”
“I’m not even sure what I’m asking. I mostly wanted to give you a heads-up. Callan already carries a lot, and it would be great if he didn’t feel he was on his own next year.”
My eyes met her dark-brown ones, which seemed to gleam like the clear liquid of the water. “He won’t be alone. I’ll make sure of it.”
Nevah nodded and began to turn our rowboat back toward the shore.
