Page 3 of Flowerheart

Pink camellias,I could hear him say in his honey-bright voice.For lasting affection.

I let out the calmest laugh I could manage while I grasped for any excuse that could spare me some dignity. “Oh! Oh, yes, I grew them on purpose. I thought they’d look nice.”

Xavier pressed his lips together and dropped his gaze to the floor. “They do, Miss Lucas. Look nice. The flowers. I—”

“Master Morwyn?”

Xavier leapt at the title, one I’d only ever heard his fatherbe called. It was odd, I thought, that his parents hadn’t come with him, when they too were members of the district.

Across the little room, Master O’Brian frowned at us. “Do you two know each other?”

Xavier frantically shook his head. The wound in my heart ached and deepened. “Yes, we were, erm, friends, when we were younger, sir, but we haven’t spoken in a great many years. It shan’t be an issue, I assure you.”

I wished to shout that it wasXavier’sfault we hadn’t spoken in so long and that it certainlywasan issue, but the magic burning under my skin and the muttering Councilmembers reminded me of more pressing matters.

Xavier tipped his head to me once more in a little bow and ducked into the sitting room. Before the Council could see me, I ripped the camellias out of my hair and dropped them to the floor.

Papa was quick to greet Xavier with a cry of delight and a pat on the back so firm it made the young wizard flinch. They argued for a moment about whether Papa could give his seat to Xavier, and then if they should offer it to me instead, but ultimately, Xavier leaned against the far wall, as though he was as much an outsider in this group of great magicians as I was.

I offered tea to every Councilmember. Each shook their head, except for Xavier, who accepted a large, misshapen mug with a meek “Thank you.”

“Your hospitality is much appreciated, Miss Lucas,” saidMaster O’Brian as I set the tray on the table once more. “Though, I think it would be better for all of us if we were to begin with our business.”

“Have you decided to certify Clara?” Papa asked brightly.

Heat flared in my cheeks, and for a moment, I regretted asking him to sit in on such a serious meeting.

“No, sir,” said Madam Albright. “In fact, the Council is greatly concerned that Miss Lucas is unable to be certified altogether.”

A chill sliced through me. “Madam—Madam Ben Ammar seemed to disagree,” I said. My favorite teacher had been forced to give me up, but at least she hadn’t marked me a failure—she wrote to me even after we parted and expressed her confidence in me. “W-where is she? I’d imagine she’d want to attend such an important meeting—”

“Madam Ben Ammar is currently leading an investigation in the name of public safety.” Master O’Brian held up a hand. “She has made her opinion known to the council in the meantime. But the fact remains, Miss Lucas, that we’ve never seen a magician like you before. A witch whose magic doesn’t obey her.”

“It obeys me sometimes,” I offered, wringing the fabric of my pale blue skirts in my fists. “I’ve made a few potions. For colds, and sore throats, and for arthritis—”

“Your temper set my kitchen on fire,” said Madam Albright.

My cheeks warmed. “That was years ago.”

Master O’Brian sighed. “We have a rather extensive record of your magic’s... eccentricities. It’s clear this is a persistent problem.”

Every gaze in the room was upon me, pointed and scalding as hot pokers. Worse still was that when I looked to Xavier, the boy who should have encouraged me, there was pity in his eyes.

“We’ve decided to present you with some options,” continued Master O’Brian.

A dark silence passed over the sunlit room.

“Options... for teachers, you mean?” Papa asked.

Master O’Brian was quiet.

The cold in me spread.

You’re going to get what you deserve,whispered my magic.You’re no better than your mother.

“Please, sir, go on,” I said, overly loud in an effort to drown out my magic and push aside any inkling ofher.

Master O’Brian glanced at his fellows before saying, “The first option is a binding enchantment—”

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