Page 93 of Flowerheart

“Who, love?” asked Adam.

Emily parted her lips, but in an instant, her mouth slammed shut. Her eyes blew wide, and she touched her tongue, like she’d burned it.

I knew that kind of pain. The same sort of seal my mother had put on me.

“She’s been enchanted,” I said. “She can’t tell us who she met with, even if she wants to.”

Worry knitted her brow. “I, I’m sorry—I burned the card and then—ow!” Once more, she touched her fingertips to her mouth—this time, a small drop of blood began to bead on her lip. Her fathers gasped and fussed over her, dabbing at her lips with Xavier’s handkerchief.

I latched my potion case shut and looked to Xavier as thetwo men tended to their daughter.

“I suppose I’ll tell Madam Ben Ammar what wedoknow,” I mumbled.

“Magical seals are difficult to break—but not impossible,” Xavier said. “I’m certain she’ll think of something.”

Lifting the potion case off the table, I stood by, letting the family have another moment of togetherness.

“Emily,” said Julian, “what kind of help were you looking for? From that wizard in the market?”

Her cheeks reddened. She averted her gaze, and then squeezed her eyes shut. “I’m just so... tired. My heart can feel so heavy, and I don’t know why. I just want to feelnormal.”

It was just as I’d thought. If the Council didn’t create some sort of safe treatment for melancholy, patients—even children—would seek out other means of help.

“You shouldn’t have to feel that way,” I murmured. “You deserve to feel like yourself. And we’ll find a way to help you—I promise.”

A small, cautious smile crossed the girl’s lips. Her fathers grasped her hands and hugged her tight and promised to be there for her.

Xavier laced his fingers with mine. “Miss Kinley,” he said, “if anyone can find a way to help you, it’s Madam Lucas.”

And I believed him.

24

Even late in the evening, the sun glowed bright as a lighthouse beacon through my bedroom window. I was dressed in my palest green gown, and when I stood in the sunshine just right, I could imagine that it was white, like it was supposed to be. If I’d been nominated to be a witch sooner, a year ago, even months ago, I would have spent all of my savings and commissioned a gorgeous white ballgown for my initiation ceremony.

I sighed as I looked at the gown in the mirror. It was a beautiful birthday gift from last year, showing my freckly shoulders and making my hair look even redder against the soft green fabric. Still, every apprentice looked forward to the day when they’d celebrate their certification as a magician, and their white clothes would turn black in a final grand gesture.

It wasn’t the same—but at least I was being included in the ceremony.

I slipped on the white, elbow-length gloves that Papa had bought me years ago in the hopes that I’d have this ceremony one day. The dress would have been too much of an investment, but these gloves—they were proof that he’d always believed I could be called a witch. He’d always known I could control my magic.

I stepped out of my bedroom and into the living room, where Papa sat in his favorite chair, reading a novel. He was still wearing the same dirt-stained trousers as he had that morning.

“Papa,” I said, my voice light and teasing, “if I’m late for the ceremony because you got distracted by a book...”

He set aside the novel and bounced to his feet, grinning at me. “Clara, you look beautiful!”

I tipped my head, proudly showing him the pearl earrings he’d given me. “I’m so glad I finally have an initiate ceremony to wear them to.”

Papa kissed my forehead. “I always knew you would.”

The tears in his eyes, his tall posture, and his confident, healthy smile. Even the mark my magic had left on his cheek had started to fade. And his heart was healed.Ihad done that. Maybe Ididdeserve this title I was about to get.

But I scowled at my father. “You’re as excited about tonight as I am, so why aren’t you dressed yet?”

“Well... as much as I’d like to go... I think that you should take young Mr. Morwyn as your guest instead.”

The image was a pleasant one—Xavier, tall and handsome at my side in his finest suit—but it wasn’t right. “All these years, it’s been you and me. Every exam, every potion, whenever I did something right, I imaginedyouas my guest at the initiation. You’ve supported me every step of my journey.” I gave his hand a firm squeeze. “There is no one I’d rather have at the party with me. We’re going to dance and then we’re going to eat pastries until we get sick.”

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