Page 33 of Flowerheart

My patience was rewarded as he said, “One day I’ll tell you the story in its entirety. Not because you’ve earned it, but because I’ll finally have mustered up the courage to discuss it.”

The rain continued to patter against the earth, sticking to the flower petals like little crystal beads. A flock of geese landed on the glassy lake below.

“It’s beautiful here,” I mentioned.

“It is.”

We stood in silence, huddled safe beneath the umbrella.Amid the drumming of raindrops, birds sang to one another.

After a moment, Xavier said, “I’m happy to open a portal here for you another time. You could express your magic whenever you like.”

I smiled, and wanted to quip,Perhaps I’ll come here when I’m cross at you again,but looking at him, I suddenly lost my train of thought.

His eyes were so lovely. Attentive. Gentle. They were the deep brown of wood soaked by rain.

A bit dazed, I just said, “Thank you.”

Side by side, watching the beauty before us, I was content to stay there a little longer, even if our lesson was over. The two of us, and the quiet—for once it felt like I didn’t have anything to fear.

8

Friday came; the day when Xavier and I would sell his potions and tonics at the nearest market. While I was eager to see my father on the weekend, I felt a pang of sadness that I’d have to leave Xavier. I’d already become so used to his presence. We had grown out of the relationship we’d once had, but with every dinner spent together, with every lesson and every laugh, something new was starting to bloom in its place.

I sat on the floor of my tower room, surrounded by books and flowers. Tomorrow, I’d see my father again. Madam Ben Ammar had written to us, saying she would be there to oversee my first attempt at a blessing—and to gauge Xavier’s skills as my teacher. I had much to prove to them both.

I’d flipped open three different books to their diagrams on casting blessings. One showed a man holding his handsagainst another man’s back. One showed a witch touching both hands to a child’s head. In every illustration, I noticed, the caster pressed their bare hands to the patient’s skin.

I glanced down at my own uncovered hands. Would I do more harm than good if I touched him, even if I was casting a blessing?

There was a knock on the door. “Miss Lucas?” asked Xavier. “We’ll be leaving for the market shortly.”

I hopped to my feet, slipped on my gloves, and then threw open the bedroom door. Out on the landing, Xavier started.

“I was doing some research,” I said. “Must I use my bare hands when I bless Papa? All the books say it’s important. But I fear I’d hurt him again.”

He hummed in thought. “I think you must—but I believe that once your magic is under control, it won’t be able to harm him.”

I didn’t have that kind of faith in my magic. In myself. Buthedid. Maybe that was enough.

Something caught my eye—a cream-colored envelope pinched between his fingers.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“I found it in a drawer. It looks like I was all ready to send it, when...” Xavier trailed off, pressing the envelope into my gloved hand. “I hope there’s nothing too embarrassing in there.”

The letter was for me, according to the messy scrawl on the front. But it was to an address in Oakridge—MadamAlbright’s address, from years ago. I tore open the envelope, and as I unfurled the letter, something dropped onto my boot. I bent down and scooped up a small dried forget-me-not shaped like a bright blue star.

Nostalgia filled me to bursting as I looked at his looping handwriting. He tried to write like his father, he’d once said.Illegibly?I’d replied.

To My Clara,it read,

I miss you terribly. Father shouted at me again. I wish you were here. You would know what to say to make me feel better.

I make so many mistakes when I do magic. Father says I’m lazy and that I spend too much time playing instead of studying. And last night, we had a party for magicians, and there were so many people, and I hated it. I wanted to hide. I asked Father if I could go to my room and he shouted at me then, too. He said I embarrass him. That I need to grow up and be brave around strangers.

When I’m older, I don’t want to be like him. But I do want to be a wizard. You could be my partner after we finish our studies. You can diagnose our patients and I’ll make the potions. Father makes me greet customers now, and I know a lot of them, but I hate having to say hello to so many people over and over. They ask the same questions about how old I am or how tall I’ve gotten or if I’ve made my first potion yet.

How is Oakridge? I’m glad it isn’t too far from us. Perhaps you can come to visit for Midsummer or the first day of spring. Ormaybe Father will let me visit, if I do well in my studies. Do they have a library there? Do you have time to read anything for fun?

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