Page 35 of Professor and the Seer

“Yes. Faintly.”

“Really?” I couldn’t help a lilt of surprise. “Does that mean I’m doing it right?”

“Depends. Is it working?”

“Yes. It’s rather quiet and relaxing.” When was the last time I could say that when outdoors?

“How is it you weren’t taught?” he questioned. “I thought your mother hired teachers when you came into your arcane powers.”

“My sisters had instructors. Me, I had a few supposed seers, none as gifted as me. The one who came closest went mad when I let her see what I could do.”

“And none taught you shielding? Unbelievable.” He shook his head.

“Most likely because it was never problematic with them. Even the one true seer had to touch something to get any kind of vibe, and it wasn’t consistent.” Then, because I felt kind of dumb, I added, “Your Grams said she was older than me when she learned.”

“Did she tell you that she used to be a prisoner? Held captive for her power by a man who sought to be rich and powerful.”

My jaw dropped. “No.”

“Yes. Her parents sold her at a young age because she frightened them. For more than sixteen years she was locked away. My great-grandfather is the one who set her free.”

“Wow. That’s actually really romantic.”

Rather than reply to that, John paused on the pathway and glanced over at the greenhouse. “Want to see the blooming moonflowers?”

Me and him alone in a lovely garden?

I should say no. I knew how we ended. But then I thought of what his mom told me, and Grams, and how I could choose happiness and a path that didn’t end in tragedy.

“I’d like that,” I said.

So in we went, chatting about nothing, but the second I saw and smelled the fragrant roses, I knew what would happen. Even turned and lifted my lips to meet his for our very first kiss.

And, in that moment, chose a path.

11

John

John knew what would happen when he invited Frieda into the greenhouse. Just like he knew Grams suggested it on purpose because of her earlier advice.

The fragrant scent from the greenery hit them the moment they walked in.

“Oh my, this is nice” Frieda exclaimed, looking around. “My garden is puny compared to this.”

“Mum’s got a green thumb.”

“Do you help her at all?”

“I am afraid I can take no credit unless lugging bags of dirt counts.”

She laughed. “That’s Enyo’s job at the apartment. She prefers to buy her stuff at a store, but I always found it calming puttering in my small garden.” She stroked the reddening skin of a tomato. “Oddly enough, annual plants don’t speak to me. Maybe because of their short life spans. Trees and other longer-lasting varieties are a different thing though.”

Having shared a tidbit about herself, she wandered through the various pots and plant beds. She paused by the massive rosebush at the back. Mum had him bring it in when the weather turned each year. The plant was special to her because his dad bought it for her. It still had a few blooms left, white with a hint of red lines in the center.

“How beautiful.” Her face took on a soft expression as she leaned in and sniffed. The smile she turned on him was more than he could resist.

When she tilted her lips in his direction, he couldn’t help but press his mouth to hers, only to break off the kiss and gruffly say, “I’m sorry.”