Page 101 of Gift from the Nexus

Maybe I overstepped a little telling him the truth, but like it or not, our family’s growing rapidly and to avoid issues, we’re going to have to be able to communicate openly. There’re too many of us not to now. It’ll be constant stress and bickering if we don’t.

“Is it different than we normally would grow something?” she asks, taking a spot next to me, gracing me with an excited smile.

“Yeah, a little bit. We want to grow this one for it to stay forever, not just for the moment like with our vines or dirt walls.” Carefully removing the Willowrrie from its pot, I instruct Will to open a hole large enough to fit the flowers already prepared, soil and roots in.

“Now what?” she asks quietly as though if she talks too loud it’ll mess something up.

“Here,” I say, passing the flower over to her gently, “Close your eyes and concentrate. Focus on the feeling of their roots tickling your fingers. We’re going to lower it into your hole, and I want you to use your element to connect the existing roots to the soil in the land. Think of it as you tying the two together in a knot,” I instruct softly, holding both of her hands to help lead the flower down.

Her element glides underneath my palm in a sweet caress, and I pull my hands back so she can do it on her own. My element rebels and I hold it back from reaching out. Fuck if one simple touch from her can’t send everything within me crazy.

“I think it’s working. The roots are moving on their own,” she says, grinning as she continues to hold her eyes closed, concentrating.

“Good. Once they stop, that means they’re done connecting and you can pull your hands free.”

After a few more seconds, she exhales and opens her bright silver eyes. I swear the sight of them takes my breath away. As the day has progressed, they’ve gotten happier, fuller, and right now they’re stunning. I could fall into the depths of her soul if I stare into them long enough.

“Now what?”

“Now fill the hole back up with dirt. Caspian can give it a little water after that.”

“Don’t drown my new flower, Cas,” she teases, causing him to snort.

“I believe I know how to properly water a flower, little Primary.”

Still, she watches his every move. I don’t think she truly believes he’ll overwater her flower, but I can see her possessiveness over it already shining through. There’re certain things of hers we all know better than to fuck with, and it looks like the flower just got added to this list.

“Why do you think they were in pots instead of the ground to begin with?” she asks.

“Lyker said they can be invasive if not pruned and taken care of properly. If I had to take a guess, little warrior, your mom probably planted them in pots so they wouldn’t grow out everywhere. Who knows how far they would’ve spread without the ward. As powerful as they are, they’re better kept a secret.”

“So if we don’t cut it back, it could cover this whole clearing?” she asks. The calculating look in her eye says she’s contemplating letting that happen.

“Possibly, but we won’t allow that to happen,” I say, pulling her in for a quick kiss when she rolls her eyes playfully at me.

She bends forward to give the flower a sniff, closing her eyes blissfully for a small moment. As we stand, Caspian washes thedirt from our hands, then she stretches her arms above her head as a yawn escapes her.

“Worn out, little wanderer?” Draken asks, swooping her up and spinning her around.

“Yeah. I’m ready for a bath and to do absolutely nothing until we go to bed,” she says, wrapping her arms and legs around him as he begins to walk toward the path leading to the house, but me, Caspian, and Corentin stay standing where we are. I know what’s about to happen. Caspian’s made it loud and clear in his mind, and I’ve already warned Corentin.

“Tsk tsk, dragon, not so fast. Bring the little Primary back.” He sends out his shadows, wraps them around the two of them, and drags them back before Draken can bother listening.

“What’s going on?” she asks when Draken sets her down.

“You’re in trouble, princess. That’s what’s going on,” Corentin says and the three of us cross our arms simultaneously and look at her.

Draken catches on rather quickly, and with a devilish smirk, he slowly scoots away from her back and comes to stand with us. You’d think with the four of us surrounding her like this, she’d be squirming in place, but she’s not. I can sense her excitement thrumming in my chest, but the look in her eye screams a dare.

“You think the four of you get to gang up on me and punish me, when I didn’t know the ward was going to throw me on my ass,” she sasses, placing her hands on her hips.

“Yes,” we all say.

“Huh.” She cocks her head to the side, analyzing all of us before a sly grin crosses her perfect, sassy-ass mouth.

Faster than my eyes can track, she disappears. One second, she’s in front of us, then the next, she’s at least thirty feet away. She’s wearing a triumphant smile on her face, proud that the gift she has that mimics Corentin’s actually obeyed her.

“You’ll have to catch me, assholes.”

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