Page 24 of Evergreen Academy (Society of Magical Botanists #1)

Chapter Twenty-Three

L atin was a challenge from the very first moment. Not only was I a full month behind on the formal lessons, but most of my classmates had been using Latin at home since they were kids. I made a note in my journal to download a language-learning app once I got back to my phone.

In Latin, I was introduced to a book called the Compendium Floracantus , which contained all the botanical spells Yasmin had mentioned.

Despite my inability to read the language, I flipped through the book excitedly.

Next to each Latin phrase was a description of what the Floracantus did, often accompanied by a picture or feature of a plant.

There was a massive index, and I could search by task or by plant family.

At the end of class, I tucked the new book into my backpack excitedly.

The second class was Basic Plant Biology again, though today it was taught by Dr. Lemna. Together, all the first-years who attended afternoon classes walked to the greenhouse by the pond. I remembered the affinity test I’d conducted with the chemicals by the water and swallowed.

But the class went better than I expected.

Dr. Lemna asked us to form into groups and then work through a portion of our botanical journals.

We were to collect and study one aquatic plant and test it in a series of conditions of our choice.

I could tell right away that it was a practice in the scientific method, which was something I was at least familiar with.

Working with Yasmin, Coral, and Aurielle, we selected a parrot’s feather plant and took turns suggesting different conditions we could test it under. None of us had an affinity for aquatics, so we had to rely purely on science and the enhanced aspects of the academy’s plants.

“This plant is considered invasive in a lot of areas. Maybe we should work on determining if we can find any way to penetrate the waxy coating. Non-magical botanists haven’t had much luck with chemical control or herbicides,” Aurielle suggested.

“Invasive,” I mused, looking at the parrot’s feather in a new light. “But the plant is not problematic here, at the academy?”

“Any invasive species that we work with here are well controlled by our magic. Dr. Lemna has all the invasive aquatics on lockdown. They can’t reproduce without her allowing it. But we need to have them here for research purposes.”

“And why can’t those with aquatic affinities travel to places with invasive species problems and lock them down, like you’re doing here?” I asked.

“Well, because we have to work within the confines of human scientific knowledge. And we don’t want to push our control over plants too far, anyway. It’s fine here, in a research setting. But in the real world, there are a million variables. We have to be more subtle and calculating,” Coral said.

Yasmin smiled. “Can you tell Coral’s parents work in international plant relations?”

“Sounds fascinating,” I said, tucking away that piece of information for later. I had a million questions about this world, but my brain could barely process everything in the academy at this point, let alone the world beyond it.

“They seem to enjoy it. I think I’d like to pursue similar work. It’s like peacekeeping but for botanists,” Coral said with a shrug.

I followed their lead as we completed our work, but my mind couldn’t help being distracted.

It kept reviewing Yasmin’s explanation the previous week about the verdant shield.

Would it flicker again? And what did that mean for the longevity of the academy?

I’d just been introduced to this place. The last thing I wanted was for its shield to be threatened.

“Coming?” Yasmin asked, breaking me from my reverie.

I realized that they were all standing, our aquatics research put away.

“Yeah,” I said, glancing once at the sky, as if I’d see the invisible shield around us.

On Thursday, Alex sat by me in Psychology again.

“What are you doing this weekend?” he asked, easing himself into the seat.

I obviously couldn’t tell him that I’d been invited to a garden party with magical botanists at a secret academy, so I improvised. “Mostly studying. And possibly hanging out with some friends tomorrow night. And I work on Saturday.”

“Someone is busy.” His voice was light, teasing.

He didn’t know the half of it. “Just a bit.”

“What time do you work at Vera’s?”

“My shift is six a.m. to noon.”

He whistled. “That’s early for a Saturday. But maybe I’ll get a craving for a lavender scone.”

I smiled, the idea of him randomly popping by the café surprisingly exciting. “How about you? Any fun plans this weekend?”

“Some friends from the dorms are having a barbeque. I was going to invite you, but since you’re already booked up…”

I made an apologetic face. “I swear I never used to be this busy, but this semester is a whole other beast.” I thought about Maci, and how she’d be falling over herself telling me to cancel my plans and take Alex up on his offer.

A part of me wanted to. But Yasmin was looking forward to me joining her at the garden party, and I didn’t want to disappoint her.

My friendship with her—and everything about my experience at Evergreen Academy—was so new that I didn’t want to rock the boat.

But here was Alex, looking adorable and inviting me to a barbeque. Something that felt so incredibly… normal.

“Maybe another time,” he said, putting a pause to my inner dilemma. “See you later, B.”

After giving him a little wave, I turned toward the parking lot, wondering if there was a way to make both my worlds balance in the boat that was my time and energy—and not tip myself into the ocean in the attempt.