Page 48 of Prince of Flowers
Scruffles went wild at the sound of the treats, dashing from one of my shoulders to the other. Sylvain chuckled, because he wasn’t the one who had to deal with the claws and the yowling and the — just the sheer Scruffles of it all.
I appreciated the lightness his laughter brought, because at least it helped drown out the low drone of concern building in my stomach. We’d give Dr. Fang her Blood of the Earth and tell her about the Withering. Then she’d forward it to the headmasters, who together would figure out how to heal the land in the Oriel of Earth. Right?
No sweat. There was nothing to worry about. We won.
Right?
19
I sighedas we emerged from the balmy warmth of the Oriel of Earth, relishing the feel of a sturdy stone floor under my feet. Home, or the closest thing to it. I threw my arms high into the air, roaring in triumph. Beside me, Sylvain laughed.
And beside me, to the opposite side, a man cleared his throat.
I jerked away in surprise, then flushed in embarrassment. The man in the floppy wizard’s hat quirked a smile at me, his glasses perched on the end of his nose.
“Headmaster Cornelius,” I said. “I apologize, I didn’t see you there.”
“And why would you apologize for celebrating your victorious expedition, hmm?” The headmaster grinned, the patterns of the stained glass windows like kaleidoscopes in his eyes. “Congratulations, Lochlann Wilde. You’ve completed your quest and officially earned your Summoner’s Crest.”
I beamed at him, then second-guessed myself. “Hold on. Does one of the headmasters wait in the Spire of Radiance for everyone who passes a challenge?”
He widened his eyes, then burst out laughing, but there was no mockery in it. An invitation to join him, rather, and so Sylvain did, chortling alongside the headmaster. Cornelius Butterworth really was the warmest of the three.
“No, no, though it would be quite interesting, wouldn’t it? I just happened to be passing by, making my usual rounds of the Wispwood. Still, I’m very proud of you, Wilde. It’s taken a little time for you, but it’s finally happened. I imagine that this fine gentleman with you must be at least part of the reason. Your eidolon, I presume.”
“I’m so sorry,” I said, to both Cornelius and Sylvain this time. “I should have introduced you. Sylvain, this is one of the three headmasters of the Wispwood, Cornelius Butterworth. Headmaster, this is Sylvain, an — ”
“Alraune,” Sylvain said automatically, his chest expanding as it always did when he declared it as confidently as fact. “Pleasure to meet you, headmaster.”
I noticed that his ears were round again, apparently something else that had become a reflex for him. Nicely done, Sylvain. I kept a hand on my backpack, reminding myself to hand him his hoodie later.
Cornelius smiled. “A pleasure to meet you, too. How wonderful. Thank you for lending Wilde here your power. I’m sure that this is only the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship.”
As he turned to leave, Headmaster Cornelius tapped the top of his own ear.
“I sense great things in your future, gentlemen. I look forward to hearing tales of your exploits. You’re always welcome to come to my office and bend my ear.”
Headmaster Cornelius turned the corner, his footsteps echoing as he descended the tower. Sylvain and I stared at each other. Glamor or no glamor, Cornelius knew, all right.
Our next stop was Dr. Fang’s office, Sylvain already changed into his hoodie disguise. He pulled the cowl back when her door was closed, preferring to let his ears breathe. I didn’t like that he had to be uncomfortable to move around the castle, but maybe we’d find some other way to keep his ears hidden.
“Color me impressed,” Dr. Fang said, the three of us gathered around her desk, the Blood of the Earth in the center. “Phenomenal work, you two.”
I smiled at Sylvain. “Couldn’t have done it without him.”
He scratched the back of his neck, the end of his nose. I could get used to seeing him a little embarrassed like that, slightly flustered. It was pretty cute.
“If it’s all the same to you,” Sylvain said, addressing Dr. Fang, “I’d love to sit out on your balcony again.”
She parted her hands, gesturing toward the windows at the end of her office. “Be my guest. You’re more than welcome.”
After the door closed, I shrugged. “I think he restores his energy from basking in the sun or something. Either way, he seems to enjoy it a lot.” I peeked out through the glass, where Sylvain was shirtless again, eyes shut and smiling into the sunlight like a cat. “Again, I genuinely couldn’t have done it without him.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I believe you. Especially considering your roster of all-stars.”
I leaned back in my chair, frowning. “Hey, now, don’t be mean. Everybody helped. The doves, the wolf, the cat, too. But — okay, don’t look at me like that. Yes. Fine. It was ninety percent Sylvain.”
Dr. Fang smacked the top of her desk. “Incorrect. Give yourself some credit, Lochlann. You’re the summoner.”
