Page 44 of Mistaken Magic

Themoment she opened it,Ismelled fresh dirt.Pullingin a breath,Ipaused to enjoy it, thinking it smelled like it was about to rain.Thatearthy, rich scent was one of my favorite things.Lynndidn't even care thatI'dstopped.Shejust headed to the teacher and did her thing again.

Butthis time,Iwas spotted. "Rain?"Thevoice belonged toAspen.

"Hey,"Igreeted her.

"Whatare you doing in here?" she asked, leaving her place at a long table to come closer.

"Idon't actually know where here is,"Iadmitted. "Lynn'sshowing me the options for my electives.Iguess that as aLegacy,Idon't get to pick a lot of fun things."

Aspen'sblue eyes narrowed. "Thereare a few.ThisisBotany.Wegrow a lot of the plants for distilling and to use in the atrium.Come."

"Rain,"Lynncalled out.

"Iwill show her,"Aspensaid, but there was a hint of warning in her tone.

Lynnvisibly swallowed. "Sure.Um,I'lljust wait in the hall then?Orif you're going to be a while..."

"I'llhandle it,"Aspenassured her. "Youcan go do whatever you want."

"Cool,"Lynnsaid, backing toward the door. "Thanks,Ms.Linden."

"Aspenreally is the one to show her," the teacher -Ms.Linden- said. "Enjoythe break,Lynn."

Mymentor didn't need to be told again.ThemomentLynnleft the room,Aspenreached for my arm, but paused.Herhands were covered in dark dirt, the kind that did not mix well with my clothes.Pointingfor her to lead,Ifollowed her back to her desk.There,Aspenbegan showing me everything spread before her.

"So, these are seeds from a fae plant," she said. "Theywere grown here, though.Somethings are easy, like the midnight grass.Others, like silver oaks, refuse to grow in dirt with any iron in it."

"Andthat's all you do in here?"Iasked. "Justgrow the plants?"

"Just?"Shegrinned at me. "Theseare all fae plants,Rain.Theyaren't like what you're used to.Wehave to give them attention, make sure they're eating, and things like that.Someare more like a cat than a fern."

"Whoa,"Ibreathed, moving closer. "Really?"

Mychest was right against her shoulder asIlooked at the one before her.Aspenglanced back, and for a moment our eyes met.Therewas no malice in her gaze.Nojudgment or animosity, and yet a zing still shot up my spine.Shesmelled like flowers.Shewas the most beautiful girlI'dever seen - even in ads or movies.Thisclose, she still looked like she couldn't be real, and yet she was.

"Sorry,"Imumbled, leaning back. "Personalspace."

"It'sok," she assured me. "Youcan't see from over there, andIlove plants."

"Isthat your magic talent or something?"Iasked.

Thistime, the smile curling her lips was softer. "No.WhenIwas a baby,Iwas raised in a garden.IleftFaeriewhenIwas three, almost four, butIcan still remember that garden.Allthe plants.Allthe flowers singing to me.Mymother's voice would join them.Shegardened, you see."

"Iguess you miss her, huh?"

Thesmile faded. "Iheard theQueenhad her killed.Ido miss my mom,Rain, and the flowers remind me of her.This?It'smy passion, not my proficiency.Ican show you if you want."

"Thatactually sounds pretty cool,"Idecided. "Maybeyou can help me take care of my flower too?I'mkinda worriedI'mgoing to kill it."

"Iwon't let you," she promised. "Andtomorrow,I'llshow you the rest of the electives.Lynnisn't doing it right."

"She'strying,"Iassured my suitemate.

Aspengrumbled like she didn't agree. "No.She'strying to impress the teachers and make herself look good.Shedoesn't care about you.Shethinks you're just some burner who's a waste of her time."Thoseeyes returned, holding my complete attention. "Idon't."

Chapter Twenty

Ispent the rest of that class withAspen, watching while she started seeds, replanted a few things, and took time to pet and talk to the other plants.Shewhispered her words in the fae language, soIcouldn't understand them, butIcould actually see the plants responding.Afew moved, slowly reaching out for her hand.Othersswayed.Somecurled leaves or straightened them.

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