Page 71

But for now, I let myself feel that fragile hope. Even knowing I’d have to break it soon.

36

Marigold

“Marigold, what’s upwith you today?” Raven asked, squinting at me over the top of her textbook. “You’ve been smiling at nothing for like five minutes. Did you win the magical lottery and not tell us?”

“I’m not—” I cut myself off, feeling warmth creep up my neck. Damn it. I hadn’t even realized I was smiling.

“See? You’re doing it again.” Raven grinned and leaned in, her bracelets clinking softly on the table. “Come on. Spill.”

“There’s nothing to spill,” I said quickly, flipping through my notes for Magical Theory. Scout shifted restlessly against my neck, sensing my discomfort. I tried to focus on the diagrams in front of me, but my mind kept circling back to Keane—his rare, soft smiles, the way his fingers brushed mine during quiet moments in the library. The intense way he kissed me like I was something he didn’t want to lose.

Raven wasn’t buying it. “Lucas, back me up. Something’s going on with her.”

Lucas glanced up from his meticulously organized notes. “She does seem… distracted.” He adjusted his glasses thoughtfully. “And unusually cheerful. Statistically abnormal.”

“I am not a statistic,” I muttered, shooting him a glare.

“Okay, fine. You don’t want to tell us who’s got you all dreamy-eyed. I get it. For now,” Raven teased. “But I’ll figure it out eventually.” She settled back into her chair, still smirking.

I sighed and buried my face in my hands. This was exactly why I hadn’t said anything about Keane yet. It wasn’t just that I didn’t want the rumors to start flying—dating a Council heir made you a target for gossip even if I technically was one too. It was also… complicated. Keane and I had agreed to keep things quiet for now.

But part of me hated keeping it from Raven and Lucas. They were my friends. They wouldn’t judge me. At least, I didn’t think they would.

“Anyway,” I said, steering the conversation away from myself, “don’t you have something more important to focus on? Like the fact that Magical Theory is kicking our asses?”

“Don’t remind me,” Raven groaned, flipping through her textbook. “All this resonance and ley line crap makes my brain hurt. Why can’t magic just be simple for once?”

“It’s only complicated if you don’t understand the underlying principles,” Lucas said in his ever-patient tone. He tapped his notes. “Resonance, for example, is—”

“Blah, blah, magical nerd stuff,” Raven interrupted with a smirk. “We know, Lucas. We’re just here to make fun of you for explaining it.”

“Very mature,” he muttered, but there was a faint smile on his face.

Despite myself, I relaxed a little. They always managed to make me laugh when I needed it most.

Raven suddenly perked up, pointing to a section in her textbook. “Hey, check this out—’Historical Wellspring Interference.’ That sounds important.”

Lucas frowned and leaned over to read it. “Hmm. Yeah, it’s one of those old theories about how wellsprings can act independently under certain conditions. Supposedly, during times of magical instability, they can influence events—like trial outcomes or major battles.”

“Like they’re alive?” I asked, curiosity outweighing my earlier embarrassment.

“Not alive the way we are,” Lucas clarified, flipping to another reference. “But they’re deeply tied to ley lines, which are basically magical circulatory systems. Some historians think wellsprings can sense when those systems are threatened and respond accordingly.”

Raven snorted. “Magic with a built-in defense system. Sounds like a fantasy novel.”

I didn’t laugh. My mind was racing, connecting dots I hadn’t noticed before. The wellspring’s energy had surged during the trials, just like it had when I crossed Wickem’s wards. And then there was my father’s journal—

It had justappearedon my shelf after the trials. No one had entered my room. No onecouldenter my room.

But there it was, untouched by dust, waiting for me.

Scout shifted, claws pricking against my skin. He knew. He’d known the moment I picked it up.

“Marigold?” Lucas’s voice broke through my thoughts. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” I shook my head, still trying to make sense of it all. “It’s just… I didn’t even apply to Wickem. They sent me a scholarship out of nowhere. Ms. Parker said the wellspring was involved, but I didn’t think it was literal.”