“The bar called earlier and said, ‘get these mutant Ficus trees out of here before I start charging them rent.’ So, I have to go back to the bar around lunch.”
“Oops. I had to use them, otherwise it wouldn’t have been a fair fight.”
“Yes, well, we owe the bar some plants.”
“I’ll bring them something in a few days.”
At his exasperated look, I clarified. “Something tame. Like a pothos or a money tree. And I’ll promise not to borrow them again.”
His lips twitched. “She’s not mad. You brought in more money last night than she made the entire past week. But she draws the line at sentient plants.” Rowan winked. “Give hersome time, and I bet she’ll change her mind. This place isn’t used to having a Floromancer around, and certainly not one at your power level.”
“I can’t say I plan on any more arm-wrestling competitions,” I said dryly. “But I also can’t promise that willneverhappen again.”
“That’s my girl,” Rowan said.
A few hours later,Dad was yelling at me, and I was sweating buckets.
“Dad! This is not Star Trek! I cannot just pop out of existence the second I want to!”
My father looked like he was about to blow a gasket. “Yes, you can,” he said with barely concealed patience. “I’ve been trying to teach you that for weeks now.”
He scrubbed a hand over his face. “You are the master of your magic. You are the one who shapes and wills the power. Get out of your head, Evie. Once that happens, your power will be fathomless.”
I choked down a scream of frustration. “Why can’t I get this?”
“Fear,” Dad said simply. “You’re letting your human understanding cloud your ability. We are not made of DNA and atoms, Evie. We’re infinite. When you understand that, you don’t have to understand magic. You mold your power into whatever you want it to be. The Floromancy and Chimera are extensions of the vast well of your other powers, the magic your mother and I gifted you upon our joining.”
My nose crinkled. “Please never refer to you and Mom having sex as joining ever again.”
On the sidelines of the training field, Rowan barked a laugh.
Dad waved my disgust away. “Evangeline, you cannot act as the fae queen until you learn how to access the rest ofyour power. When that self-imposed block fades away, you will beinfinite. Until that happens, you are diminished, and your enemies will know right now is the perfect time to strike. Your mother and I cannot always be there. You must learn how to turn off that human part of your brain and realize the only limitations you have are the ones you set for yourself.”
“I hate it when you’re reasonable,” I muttered.
Dad rolled his eyes. “Yes, well, when you’re involved, being reasonable is difficult.”
“Dad! Rude.”
The wards tingled against my skin. Rowan rose and walked toward the disruption.
Dad stepped closer. “You must defeat your mind. Enemies press in from all sides. Do not let yourself get complacent.”
I stopped what I was doing. “Do you know something we don’t?”
Dad shrugged. “Enemies are a natural part of belonging to a powerful position, but you are uniquely suited to having more than normal.”
I rolled my eyes. “Thanks, Dad.”
Rowan came up over the rise, his face a mask of politeness.
Barrett walked beside him.
Chapter
Thirty
Iknew why Rowan had let him in. Refusing him would rouse suspicion. I pulled out my cell and texted Moira.
