In that moment, I had confidence that maybe Icouldcreate a Floracantus to reset the verdant shield. I had been practicing every day, and so far, I had created four new Floracantus, all ofwhich were recorded in the journal I was using as the conduit. And while it still felt like a miracle each time I created a new Floracantus, the feeling was also becoming familiar and comfortable.
I tried out the Floracantus I had made on the lily of the valley flowers in the grove. “Petale candenti.” They began to glow, and I smiled. It was reassuring to know that the new Floracantus were still working.
When I heard footsteps, I quickly whispered, “Petale neutrus,” reciting another Floracantus I’d created, which undid the effects of the first. The lily of the valley’s white petals returned to their normal state.
“Briar!” Aurielle called. “Callan got the aquatics’ rose. The game is over. You won!”
I smiled with relief. She hugged me then asked, “Where is your rose?”
I led her to the corpse flower and beckoned it to unfurl. Once it had opened, I lifted my rose out.
“Genius hiding spot,” she said. “I know I sure as spores wouldn’t be sticking my hand in there.”
“That’s what I was banking on.” I thanked the corpse flower then turned back to Aurielle. “Time to claim the win.”
Chapter Forty-Nine
The post-Capture the Roses celebration dessert was an experimental souffle from Professor Sage and the other herbs affinities. The flavors were combinations of chocolate, cheese, peach, raspberry, and other decadent fruits fresh from our orchards. Pairing it with academy-made ice cream or mochi, the students lounging in the teahouse were in heaven.
I had barely taken two bites when Feathergrass approached our table. “Briar, may I have a word?”
“Yes,” I said, leaving my bowl with Yasmin for safekeeping.
She mouthed, “Good luck.”
“Congratulations,” Feathergrass said, ushering me into a seat in Professor East’s former office. While a few of the vines that had previously lined the walls of the room were still present, our scouting vines mixed among them, some had been replaced by pots of ornamental grasses, giving the impressionwe were at a fancy garden party. “That was quite the feat. Winning Capture the Roses as a team of one. I don’t know if it’s ever been done before.”
“Yes, well, defensive affinities do have a bit of an advantage in that game.”
“I suppose they do,” Feathergrass admitted. He leaned back. “But the real question is: When did you get access to your powers on campus again? And how did you do it?”
I had been expecting the question and had prepared my answers. “Not long ago,” I said. “I’ve been working on increasing my defensive skills in my field studies assignment this year. Eventually, it got to where I was able to break the bonds on my magic.” There. Simple enough and true enough.
“Hmm. I didn’t realize that was a focus of your field studies assignment.” He studied me. “Your field studies advisor hasn’t checked in with the academy since before the winter break. Can I assume you haven’t had a field study since then?”
“That’s correct,” I said. My time in Florida didn’t count.
“Their name isn’t listed in your file. The entire thing was marked Classified by Professor East.” Feathergrass tapped a pen to the table as if trying to work something out. “Who is your mentor?”
“I’m afraid I can’t share that information.”
“I am the director of Evergreen Academy now, Briar. Field studies are within my purview.”
“If the files weren’t declassified for you, then it is not in my power to do so.”
Feathergrass frowned. “Field studies are a requirement for second years, and if your advisor is no longer participating, wewill need to find you a new assignment for the remainder of the year.”
I straightened, nerves churning in my stomach, which I tried to settle. Perhaps this didn’t have to be a bad thing. I was open to a new field study assignment. But Feathergrass might put me on a project that would take me away from all that I was doing with the Root and Vine Society. We were so close to the spring equinox and I couldn’t afford a distraction.
“Perhaps I could join one of the studies that are already running, since it may be difficult to find a new advisor and project at this point in the year,” I suggested.
Feathergrass tapped his pen against the desk a few more times then rose. “Let me think on it. In the meantime, I will be sharing the development of your powers with the Board of Regents. I’m sure they will be most interested by this news.” He opened the door for me.
When I stepped outside, I was still processing the conversation. Feathergrass hadn’t seemed angry that I had my powers back. I wondered if that meant he hoped I was on his side of the philosophical table. If so, what kind of field assignment would he place me in? And what would the Board of Regents—Callan’s mom, specifically—think about my overcoming the curse of their ancestors, the founders?
Would they finally leave me alone, or would this development make them want to get access to my powers even more? Would I be forced to reveal the identity of my field studies advisor? Wyatt had successfully helped quash questions about the origin of the fakeVanished Compendiumthat I had debuted at the Floral Fete, but my secrets were stacking up and likely pushing Feathergrass’s bounds.
When I returned to the teahouse, Yasmin passed me my souffle and mochi. “Everything okay? Did Feathergrass interrogate you about your powers?”
