“The gods weren’t perfect,” Rai continued in tones of mild annoyance. “They left for varied reasons, and we forge our own paths in their absence.”
Another petulant gust of wind blasted them before settling down. Ollas hid a grin.
“So, you’re bound for Rhell soon?” Rai asked.
“Yes, after finals.” Provided Eunny agreed. Ollas realized that they hadn’t actually discussed their plans, too busy with the aftermath of dealing with the Coalition. In the brief moments they’d been together, Eunny seemed enthusiastic about him sticking around, but, as he’d learned, presumptions instead of communication always led to problems. “I think.”
“I could speak to the dean if you’d rather stay,” Rai said. “I know you have family here, and you’ve only just returned. The Restorers approved a host of grants dedicated to the bioremediation research for Rhell’s poison. Multiple Magister-levels are going to be putting together labs here at home.”
“Thank you, but I can’t stay,” Ollas said, both touched and struck with a small pang of regret.
Rai sighed. “I was afraid you’d say that.” He looked up at something, a serene smile on his face. “But I am not surprised. Be well, Ollas.”
Ollas murmured his own farewell, turning to search for whatever the professor had seen. A smile spread across his own face, not serene but ebullient. Those little pangs of regret meant nothing when the sight of Eunny coming toward him brought such immediate joy.
“What was that about?” she asked, stopping in front of him.
“Goodbye, of a sort.” Ollas stood up and wrapped his arms around her. “Come on. I— What’s that?”
Eunny had fished from her cloak pocket the vial of their new delegation seeds. “Feels like we should do something. Memorialize them somehow.”
The breeze picked up, swirling the hems of their cloaks about their legs.
“See?” she said. “The Valley agrees with me.”
“Then we’ll plant one. Maybe two, for luck.” Ollas gestured at their surroundings. “Same place?”
She snorted. “I’d rather not. No light mage is meant to spend as much time in a greenhouse as I have this term.”
Ollas chuckled. “You know, we’re probably going to be doing greenhouse work in Rhell. This time of year, we won’t be able to do in-ground planting until?—”
Eunny clapped a hand over his mouth. “Don’t ruin this for me.”
He took her gently by the hand, pressing his lips to her curled fingers. “We’ve been talking about Rhell and plans and the work, but we didn’t really— I never actually asked if this is what you want.”
Her lopsided smile was followed by a soft laugh and a rueful shake of her head. “Gods, you’re sweet. It’s what I love about you.” She cupped his face between her palms. “We’re going. Together. Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Same old Eunny, always moving forward. “I love you.” Ollas tipped his chin forward to kiss her.
Eunny deepened the kiss, her fingers moving to his shoulders and grabbing handfuls of his cloak. She released him with an exaggerated sigh. “No, we have to focus. Memorialization in progress.”
Ollas retrieved the vial from her, gently rubbing it between his fingers. He leaned toward her. “How do you feel about a little magic?”
The look she gave him was unimpressed, but she rolled her eyes and hooked her arm through his all the same.
They took the path back through the greenhouse complex, bypassing the buildings per Eunny’s request. Ollas led her to the base of the Grove’s mother tree, leaving the paved stone trails to settle in a spot between the massive roots. The ground was a mix of half-decayed leaf litter and patchy grass, and it was easy enough to work up shallow divots with a rake of his fingers. As Eunny had said, this wasn’t planting so much as laying to rest. Tiny motes of light drifted down from the canopy of fiery leaves overhead, their magic keeping the mighty tree always full and lush no matter the season. Many of the gleaming dots dissipated before they reached the floor, but every once in a while, one made it, fading out in a small ripple of white-gold light.
“This is…” Eunny held her hand out to catch a drop of the Grove’s light, smiling as it absorbed into her skin. “Perfect.”
“Ready?” he asked.
She called a touch of light to her fingers, holding her hand in front of her face. “I’m still not sure how I feel about it. It’s going to be a while before I’m comfortable using it again.”
“I can do it,” he offered. “I think I have enough.”
She shook her head. “Together. I can’t let discomfort keep being an excuse.”
Eunny knelt, tapping a pair of seeds into her cupped palm. Ollas joined her, and together, they called a touch of light to their fingers. He slid his palm around to cradle her hand, letting her magic meld with his until it blurred together. Eunny directed the lines of their combined light to pool in her hand and settle on the seeds. Ollas drew on his wavering magic, helped along by Eunny’s steadier supply, causing the seeds to flare with soft, golden outlines.
