Page 96 of Flowerheart

Xavier’s hand settled against my cheek. “All the best moments of my life, you’ve been there. You’ve dried my tears and you’ve made me laugh and you’ve called me an arse when I’ve been one, and you—you’re a marvel, Clara. I mean it; we’ve known all along that you could control this magic of yours. And your heart is beautiful; beautiful and good. For you to share it with me is a gift that I do not take for granted. I meant what I said before. I love you. I’ve always loved you.”

I bit hard on the inside of my lip to keep from crying more and to keep from interrupting him.

He gave his lopsided smile and sighed. “That’s all I had to say.”

I didn’t need to say a thing.

I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him.

The Council’s ceremonial hall was filled with people from all over the queendom. Every magician and their initiate wasthere, milling about in the light of the Midsummer sun as it blazed down through a round skylight.

Among the pews, older magicians and other guests made small talk with one another, their laughter bouncing off the soaring stone pillars.

I stood in a wing to the side of the ceremonial hall with a group of other apprentices about to be inducted into the Council. There was a cacophony of different accents among our idle chattering. We all looked so different from one another, though our dress was alike: a tall witch-to-be with rose-pink hair, a wizard with a white top hat, his eyes enchanted to be bright green.

As I whispered to initiates hailing from all over the country, I was interrupted by a tap on my shoulder. When I spun around, Madam Ben Ammar was behind me, dressed in a glamorous black gown that sparkled like starlit water.

“I wanted to say hello one last time before you officially become Madam Lucas,” she said, and without a second’s thought, I wrapped her in a hug.

“Oh, I was hoping I’d see you!” I said. “I have something for you.”

When we pulled apart, I led her by the hand into a small alcove in the large, noisy hall—the tiniest bit of privacy we could afford. I reached into the reticule affixed to the hip of my white gown. From within, I pulled out a small envelope and placed it in her hands.

“This morning, we tested a cure for the effects of Euphoria,and it worked. The young lady we gave it to is back to herself again.” I tapped my finger on the envelope. “The directions for the potion are inside.”

She tore open the envelope and read the copy of Xavier’s recipe. As she read, her smile grew more and more.

“I can’t believe it,” she whispered. Then she swept me in another hug. “Oh, Clara, you’ve done it!”

“It—it wasn’t just me,” I said, muffled against her shoulder. “I mean, I enchanted the potion, I added my confidence, and I controlled my magic, but Xavier came up with the recipe in the first place—” Drawing back, I gripped her arm as a thrilling idea flew into my head. “He made it before this ceremony! Surely that means he could have his magic back!”

The joy in her eyes quickly faded away. “No, love,” she said. “What’s done cannot be undone.” Her gloved hand squeezed mine. “I am grateful to him for his invention. With both of your efforts, we’ll be able to distribute this cure. But justice has already been served.”

It did not feel just. And according to my mother, this was in character for the Council. Following their own draconian rules. Giving themselves the authority to take away a wizard’s power. They had even wanted to bind mine.

But theyhadhelped people. They made healing potions every day, and taught more people how to heal. They were saving lives, just as Xavier and I had tried so hard to do.

Now I was about to join their ranks. It was what I’d dreamed of—and even so, there was a seed of doubt growingin my heart. Perhaps I could not trust the Council completely. But I could trust Madam Ben Ammar. And I could trust myself.

“After we free people from Euphoria,” I said, “there’s... there’s more work to do.”

She was quiet—she understood. She nodded and touched my arm.

“You are why we put such hope in the next generation,” she whispered. “You will use your gift for great things. And I will support you as best as I can, I promise.”

My heart lifted. She’d never lost confidence in me, not even when it would risk her reputation, not even when I seemed truly hopeless.

But her brow furrowed.

“Clara,” she said, quiet enough so as not to be heard, “there is one thing you’ve done that I just cannot understand. Why did you give your power to that boy?”

The disappointment in her tone twisted my insides even more. It had been a rash decision. But I did not regret it.

“I did it for Papa,” I said. “I knew what I was doing. And I’d do it again. I’d give my life to save my father.”

Madam Ben Ammar touched a hand to her heart. Pride, pride that I’d longed for, shimmered in her dark eyes. “That, Miss Lucas, is why you will make a most excellent witch.” She smiled at me and held my hands tight. “And as for young Mr. Morwyn... if he ever hurts you, I’ll turn him into a toad.”

He would never. But knowing that she cared for me so, that I was worthy of being loved by so many people—it warmed my heart and grounded me.Yes,I told myself.This is real. You’ve earned this.

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