Page 66 of Wolves & Watercolors
“They’re salted caramel blondies. Ember put a layer of Oreo crust on the bottom, I’m not sure why but it’s killer.”
He passes two over to Marigold and then offers them to us. Hazel has already ripped hers open and takes a huge bite. She groans dramatically.
“I think she knew I needed at least a little chocolate,” she mumbles through her full mouth.
Onyx winks, taking one for himself.
“Tell her thank you so much!” Marigold says before taking a bite of hers.
A sense of warmth fills me. Everyone is so kind, but also clever and funny. Hazel’s decision to stay makes even more sense. I feel the temptation. A bite of the chewy blondie makes it even more appealing. Who needs Los Angeles when you have nights like this?
I could trade in the bustle of the city and the endless parade of tourists making demands and galleries turning me down - living here in the quiet forest with a wonderful adopted family sounds so much better.
“So how’s the green witch magic?” Marigold asks me.
“Well, I think I’ve gotten it mostly figured out. At least enough to not cause any miniature natural disasters anytime soon.”
“Really?” Marigold’s eyes widen in surprise.
Nibbling at my bottom lip, I look around for something I can demonstrate with. The closest plant is a patch of beautiful blue-purple lupine flowers. That’ll work.
Cedar squeezes my hand, feeding me the warm affection needed. Eyes fluttering closed, I feel out the living pulse of the plant beside us. It’s becoming second nature to slowly feed those bubbly emotions fizzing in my veins into the peaceful life, feeling it spark and quiver in response. My eyes flutter open to see new leaves sprouting and blooms opening fully. That should be enough. Relaxing, I withdraw my connection. The plant settles.
Marigold and Hazel’s mouths hang open. Jasper’s eyebrows have disappeared under his flop of pale hair, and Onyx’s eyes wrinkle as he grins at me.
Cedar’s thumb swipes across my knuckles in silent praise and a surge of emotion fills me. It takes conscious effort to reign it in and not direct any magic at the growth around us.
“I’m really proud of you. That’s really impressive,” Hazel says.
“Yeah, that’s wicked cool.” Onyx slow claps his hands.
Shrugging, I glance up at Cedar through my lashes. “Cedar is the one who figured it out.”
“Figured what out?”
Swallowing, I sort out how to explain without embarrassing either of us. “The trigger was strong emotions. Hence the house plant growing when Hazel was having her baby. Once we figured that out, it didn’t take much work to isolate the feeling of channeling it, my magic I guess it is, and then feeding it into the plants.”
“Good job! So you can go home now, whenever you want to.” Marigold’s tone drops, as if she’s sad at the thought.
“Yeah, I guess.” It’s hard to feel excited about going home. That’s a problem for tomorrow.
“I’m sure it’ll be nice to get back to the city, but we will miss you.” Hazel reaches over and places a hand on my knee. “Promise to visit regularly?”
“You know I will.”
Silence stretches for a beat, every individual lost in their own thoughts. Hazel removes her hand and wraps it around her arms. I curl into Cedar’s side and savor the feeling of his hands tracing patterns over my skin.
“I still can’t get over the plant growth thing. What else do you think you could use your magic for?” Marigold asks, her blue-green eyes bright in the firelight.
“Oh, I have no idea. You mean aside from getting plants to grow?”
She nods. Everyone else’s eyes watch me curiously, and I feel myself tensing. Cedar’s hold on me tightens as he senses my anxiety.
“I’m not sure I’ll get the chance to find out.”
Marigold tilts her head, her smile smaller. “Maybe next visit.”
Onyx breaks the melancholy and frees me from everyone’s attention as he leans forward and asks Jasper a work question. I try to follow, but there are so many unfamiliar terms, I’m lost. Something about security feeds and patrols. Cedar adds a few comments and even Hazel jumps in, leaving me to stare into the flames and contemplate the heavy weight of managing my new magic without this supportive circle.
