“This can’t be. Extra-affinity powers are rare. For four to be here at the same time…” Feathergrass’s voice was slightly shaky, and I heard resignation there for the first time.
“Some magical botanist genes seem to emerge exactly when they’re meant to,” Professor East said. “Or perhaps it is completely random. Either way, your theories about what makes us powerful are incorrect. I think it’s time you left, Feathergrass. The students and faculty here have an equinox theywould like to celebrate.” Professor East nodded to Callan and me, and we slowly released the vines binding Feathergrass.
Once free, Feathergrass sent the grasses rippling in all directions, whipping up a minor wind around everyone’s feet. Shouts of alarm came from the gathered botanists, but the grass affinity students quickly calmed the stalks once more.
Magical botanists stepped forward to surround Feathergrass. I held back a smile as I looked proudly at the people creating the circle, which included every member of the Root and Vine Society. Every affinity group had come together, and there was no denying that we were stronger that way.
The walking palm seemed to have lost all patience, and it forced Feathergrass between its above-ground roots and shepherded him toward the front gate. Feathergrass didn’t put up any further fight. He was outmatched, and he knew it.
“I’ll make sure he goes out and stays out,” Wyatt said, nodding at Callan before following the walking palm.
The silence of the crowd evaporated immediately. Talk of light bender powers sprang up around us. The grasses got a song rushing through the fields, setting a lively backdrop that signaled the party was back on.
Once Wyatt was out of sight, I turned to Callan. “I know Professor East prefers nonviolence, but it was kind of satisfying tying Feathergrass up with those vines.”
A smile tugged at the corner of Callan’s mouth. “He didn’t leave us with much choice.”
“We can vine-lasso pretty well together, Rhodes,” I teased.
“Nature-blessed matches, remember?” He took my hand, running a finger over the emerald ring he had created for me on my first day at the academy.
I eyed him curiously. “I thought you didn’t believe in those.”
“I didn’t. Until I met you.”
Clasping Callan’s hand, I squeezed it. The feeling of our hands touching was its own kind of magic. “Some night, huh?”
He returned the pressure in my palm, his skin warm and reassuring against mine. “It’s always some night with you, local.”
Chapter Sixty-Five
The morning after the spring equinox, the students and faculty of Evergreen Academy gathered in the teahouse. Sunlight streamed through the tall glass windows, the fragrance of herbal tea and organic coffee filled the air, and the buzz of happy magical botanists enjoying their first meal of the day was so familiar that, for the first time in weeks, I was completely at ease.
“How are you feeling this morning?” Yasmin asked, stirring her chia pudding while studying my face.
“Thanks to Eli and his concoctions, I feel as good as new,” I replied.
“It’s not every day someone uses months’ worth of magic in one night. That was pretty amazing.”
“I’m just glad it worked and that the shield seems to be firmly in place.” I had been reaching out with my magic to sense the shield multiple times throughout the morning already. Having created it, I could feel it in a way I hadn’t been able tobefore. No one else seemed bothered, though, and I supposed I should have felt honored by their complete faith in my abilities.
Instead of talking about the new verdant shield, most students were discussing the resurgence of extra-affinity powers. I smiled as I listened to the conversations floating around the room over tea and matches of Roots and Xylem. I was just as curious about the history of the powers as the others were.
“Where are Aurielle and Coral?”
Yasmin pointed upstairs. “Still in bed, I assume. Everyone partiedwaytoo hard last night after Feathergrass got served the walking palm justice. The herbs started serving the strong drinks, and everyone was running around, hiding behind trees and pretending to have light bender powers.”
I laughed. “Have you seen Callan this morning?”
“He and Hollis went to check the grounds. They wanted to make sure everything was secured at the petal portal everyone came through and see if there was any damage to the area where the jewelweed bombs were set off.”
Nevah and Kai walked into the teahouse then, and they got food and joined us at our table. “What’s it like being back at the academy?” I asked after greeting them.
“The food at the aquatics conservatory is tasty, but nothing beats the breakfast spread at Evergreen Academy,” Kai said. I noticed the heaping quantity of food on his plate.
“Is it okay that Professor East revealed you have waterbending powers?” I asked him, remembering how Nevah had wanted us to keep quiet about it.
“It’s fine. He ran it past me beforehand, just in case he needed to use the information. There have been rumors about my abilities for a while, since I used the ability for a displayNevah and I did when we were students here. Most people didn’t catch on, since the power is rare, but a few people who remembered it were suspicious. I’m kind of glad it’s all out in the open now and that there are others with extra-affinity powers.”
