Blooming Black: Rosewood Academy of Witches and Mages (Darkly Sweet Book 4)

by Juliann Whicker

  He nodded, his smile never dimming. “So do I, in my own way. You’re as safe with me as any mage. Is that the wedding dress? It’s phenomenal. It’s a pity I won’t get to see you wear it. You’re getting married at your parent’s, right?”

  I nodded. “Is that okay? Do you think Drake would rather have a big wedding with family and friends?”

  He stopped smiling and pursed his lips instead. Macaroons his mouth was like the focal point of his face. Such an expressive, soft, compelling mouth. Not that it was the right mouth, but it certainly drew the eye. “Small and intimate sounds more honest. With a crowd, Drake would have to put on a show. Will anyone from his family be there?”

  I shook my head. Revere wouldn’t allow it.

  He put a hand on my shoulder. “You make him very happy. He has a lot of friends, but he needs family.”

  My heart flipped at the idea of Drake needing me. “Really? Thanks, Ian.”

  He squeezed my shoulder and stepped away. “Maybe I shouldn’t say anything, but be careful with Zach.”

  “What do you mean? You think he’s going to light my hair on fire?”

  “I think he’ll probably actually hurt himself.”

  “What do you mean?” I grabbed his shirt and jerked him closer to me.

  He smiled and covered my hand with his, making me aware of how close he was and how dangerous that was. “I mean that he’s got a tender heart. Be careful with it.”

  I cocked my head completely thrown off. “You think he’s in danger of heart attack? I should make sure he avoids high cholesterol or something?”

  He laughed, low and golden. “Don’t forget about your friend, Zachary Stoneburrow, no matter how much Drake smothers you with his infinite charm. You’ll be married very soon and I’m sure Drake will make you very happy, but it costs Zach. He could look at it as losing both of you.”

  I frowned at him. “Seriously, you’re incredibly insightful. You should go into psychology or something.”

  He smirked. “My couch is available any time, Penny Lane.” He tipped an imaginary hat at me and started on his way out.

  “Wait, Ian, what about Teddy Prince. Should I hire him as my contract mage? Will he charge exorbitant fees?”

  “He’d probably work for your hurters. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t.”

  I pursed my lips. “I’d better get started, then.” I put my dress away and then went to pound on Zach’s door.

  He opened it with a snarl on his face. “What?”

  “I’m in desperate need of an assistant who knows what to do with a Bunsen burner. Do you know anyone who likes to meddle in chemical compounds? That reminds me, I need to give Viney my list. She’s stocking me.”

  He hesitated before he sighed and shrugged. “Fine.” He followed me into my room and immediately began laying out equipment. I’d trained him well.

  After making hurters all evening, I called Horror movie, and ended up on the couch between Viney and Zach. I grabbed Zach’s wrist, while his hip was against mine, where he’d carved his ugly business logo. I squeezed tightly for a second and Viney handed me the popcorn. Then a guy jumped out with a chainsaw and I screamed, flinging the popcorn into the air like an eruption.

  Zach sighed and picked a piece of popcorn out of my hair and popped it into his mouth. He wouldn’t lose either Drake or me, however psychotic he got. He was my Poppy.

  The next day was classes plus Ian and me in our regular studio afterwards. It was like old times. Ian had me stand there for an hour adjusting my posture and making me do miserable basics, tendu, plie, so slow I was shaking before our three hour block was half over.

  I grabbed onto his arm, the one that had his bond carved into it. “Can we take a break?”

  His lips curved like I’d said something suggestive. “Of course. I belong to you, Miss Lane. Whatever you desire is my deepest pleasure.”

  I pulled away from him and rubbed my fingers together like they’d gotten banana peel goop on them. “No ‘P’ words. I’ll take that as a no. Maybe I should have Zach here after all.”

  He shrugged. “As I said, your wish is my command.”

  At least he hadn’t said pleasure that time. That word and Ian were way too much for me. I shook my head and concentrated on performing as perfectly as possible. I was better than I’d been six months before, but Ian only pushed me harder for all of that. Whatever. I could cope with it. Afterwards, I only crawled down a few hallways before Zach picked me up and carried me under his arm like I weighed nothing.

  “I’m not a turkey.”

  “What would I be doing with a turkey?”

  I sighed and went limp so he had my dead weight. He grunted but didn’t say anything. I shouldn’t just let Zach carry me around the school, but he was headed towards dinner and I could eat a turkey. And a zebra. And a Zach. I turned my head and nibbled on his side. He jumped and almost dropped me.

  “Penny, if you do that, I’ll let you crawl the rest of the way. You’d probably like that. You have no sense of shame.”

  “Shameless. That’s the word for me. Also inane. Shamelessly inane. Inanely Shameless. I think I’ll put it on my business card in pretty font. Lots of swirls.”

  “Make sure it’s scented and also tastes like roses and vanilla frosting.”

  “Like those candy roses on cakes? Cakes. I haven’t thought about cakes. What if we have no cake? I’ll have to ask Revere to make a cake. Also the house. It’s not cute. It’s like a horror movie.”

  “So you walk around screaming constantly?”

  I sighed as Zach dropped me at a table. “Constantly. Will you get me food? I don’t really care what it is except it has to be amazing.”

  He rolled his eyes and left me to watch him and think about cake. What about decorations? I didn’t have to worry about invitations because only I was coming, but I should make me one anyway, maybe Drake too. What about Zach and Viney? We should have some kind of party for all of his friends. Mine too. I had friends, sort of. My Chem girls, Lester, Lars, Barry, yeah we could definitely do a party afterwards. Would Zach come? He thumped a large tray of food down and sat across from me, taking a drumstick like it was a challenge.

  “Zach? I’ll sign a contract with you on two conditions.”

  He ripped savagely into the chicken but his eyes glittered slightly as he chewed until he finally said, “What weird random stuff do you want?”

  “Three conditions.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Are you going to tell me or am I supposed to guess? There is no possible way for me to anticipate you.”

  “Number three, I want to have unlimited supplies of whatever I want.”

  His lips twitched. “Done.”

  “Number two, you have to come to my wedding party when I get back.”

  He shrugged. “Whatever. I’ll even give you a present. Number one?”

  I reached over the food, getting gravy on my elbow as I put my hand on his forehead like I was checking for a fever. I could feel the energy there, the connection that throbbed against my palm. “You have to always be my friend first no matter what.”

  He stared at me beneath my hand then finally covered it with his own, greasy from chicken. “Sure. I’ll be your Poppy. Shut up and eat.”

  Chapter 23

  Mage

  Endless nights passed working on the wedding present or in Darkside, the air heavy and cloying around whatever Commander knelt at my feet, or lay on his back, or offered me his favorite weapon. My head ached worse with every passing day, but it didn’t seem so bad when I saw Penny Lane walking down the hall in her ridiculously short skirts and our eyes would meet, only for a moment, but the look in those soft hazel eyes gave me more strength than anything. Except for my mage jacket. That gave me strength and love. Everything seemed possible bordering on inevitable. Nothing could keep us apart. We were fated, destined, meant to be. All I had to do was my best. Everything else would fall in line.

  It was a mess. Paperwork, of course. I had my commande
rs submitting complaints against other companies fighting against them and of course I had to point out that they were fighting on the wrong side, and our Dayside mages would get to feel frustrated and humiliated. Pruitt offered me his resignation which I accepted with relief. I dispersed his men to other companies giving them the option to retire, quit, or swear fealty. In the midst of the unimaginable chaos of trying to turn a machine like Huntsman’s mercenaries in a new direction, it was surprisingly well-managed as the Darksiders began their serious work which as far as I could tell was to make Daysider mages look like idiots.

  I got back late one night, or early in the morning, and not all that early to find Jasper waiting for me in a neat tan suit, holding a briefcase in his hands. I took off my jacket and started unbuttoning my shirt. My bath was calling me.

  “What’s up, Jasper? Is that my wedding present?”

  “I’m leaving.”

  “I’ll keep my pants on if you have something worth saying.”

  He gave me a look that I’d never seen before. Concern etched his features with a healthy dose of anger. “I confronted him this afternoon, not as the sorcerer, but as your father. I tendered my resignation.”

  My legs collapsed and I sat suddenly on the edge of my bed. “You’re leaving Huntsman inc. leaving me? Very well. Have you talked with resources about severance pay and your benefits? If you’d resigned to me, I could have prepared everything along with a nice card of appreciation. You’ve done exemplary work with a notoriously difficult family. If there is ever anything that you require, don’t hesitate to ask. If you ever wish to return, you’ll be welcomed without question.”

  He frowned at me, until his face slipped back into the gentle concern that was his trademark. He put a hand on my shoulder. “I can’t actually resign to anyone other than your father. I am still working on the problem. It is my responsibility for introducing such a faction into your family. I will not rest until it is resolved. I’m not abandoning you, Drake, or your father. We’ll see this to the end.”

  I swallowed a sudden thickness in my throat. “You’re only saying that because you have to. I did make you my vassal, you know.”

  He smiled and sighed at the same time. “Indeed. You’re doing excellent work in Darkside with the armies. How are you holding up?”

  I rubbed my forehead. “My head aches. Hold on a moment, if you don’t mind.” I grabbed his face and sank my awareness into him, checking for the bonds, the Jasperness of him. I’d had a sudden horrible feeling that it was Sooth I was talking to and he’d stuck Jasper in some Darkside hole once he realized Jasper had discovered his secret.

  I pulled away and stared at him. “You’re Jasper?”

  He nodded and shuddered. “That was unpleasant.”

  “Thank you. How is business? Anything I should know about?”

  Jasper frowned. “Over the last few weeks I’ve put several deals into motion that I don’t remember and can’t trace. It’s one of the things I’m going to be working on. I put some safeguards in place, registered with the Council suspicious business activity, possibly related to madness. That should give you some protection.”

  “I appreciate it.” Those legalities took so much red tape and paperwork, you were better off starting from scratch with your business. Mages went mad fairly often, so families were protected from their mad relative’s decisions, but proving a mage was influenced by madness wasn’t the easiest thing, and if the deal involved Darkside, it was very, very difficult to order a reversal. If the deal benefited another family of wealth and influence in Dayside, it was impossible. Taking advantage of the mad wasn’t supposed to be legal, but it was extremely difficult to prove. Hopefully the Darkside Sorcerer wouldn’t be capable of doing anything irrevocable to Huntsman inc.

  “How are the wedding plans coming?”

  I smiled because I was going to marry Penny and everything would be perfect for at least twenty seconds. “Viney gave her a wedding dress. It’s supposed to be ridiculously beautiful. Penny is obsessing about cake, ordering all different kinds and making everyone she meets try them and compare them. They’re for the party afterwards. She’s got Teddy working as her contract mage, and she’s signed with Stoneburrow.”

  He nodded soberly. “She’ll be well protected. I’m glad to hear it. She’s a treasure.”

  My treasure. “You’re welcome to join us at the after party.”

  “Perhaps. If I’m certain I’m not a danger.” He pulled out a sheaf of papers from his briefcase with shaky fingers and handed them to me. “Watch these accounts and take care of yourself.”

  “You don’t have to worry…”

  He stepped throughside, leaving me alone with paperwork. “Typical,” I muttered. For a minute my chest ached vaguely. I sat down with the paperwork and my laptop, checking numbers while I rubbed my chest.

  I sent Ian to Huntsman Manor for my tuxedo. When he came back, he gave off a prickly vibe.

  “That’s the sorcerer? He plays the part of dutiful father very well. He wanted to know when the wedding was.”

  “You told him…”

  Ian shrugged. “I sang drunkenly. I couldn’t have possibly been coherent. Also, I mentioned next week instead of this one. Tomorrow. You’re leaving tomorrow. She’s already ordered the limo. I cannot get over the idea that Drake Huntsman will be married. Have you resolved upon your strategy?”

  I shook out the tuxedo. “I’ll put it in my best garment bag spelled against wrinkling.”

  He punched my shoulder, rather hard. “You’re marrying a sweet, dulcet creature who never kissed a mage before she met you. Don’t tell me you haven’t planned the details of the wedding night exhaustively. Also, what about the honeymoon?”

  “Ian, I have not planned the details. We’ll be staying at her mother’s house. For all I know we may be kept in opposite wings for the duration of our wedding and the honeymoon afterwards. Also, we’re talking about Penny Lane. She may be sweet, but she’s also bizarre. Our first kiss was precipitated by her being stuck in a bucket. She may faint any time I take off an article of clothing. I do intend to bring my tophat and my mouse. Also, I’ll wear pink silk boxers.”

  He frowned at me. “You think pink underwear will do it?”

  I shrugged. “No idea. That’s my point. Don’t worry. As for the technicalities, I am adept enough even if I’m not as notorious as the golden mage.”

  He sniffed. “I suppose you’re right. Not that you need my advice, but if I were you, I’d start by singing to her badly then feed her vast quantities of food. After her tongue is sated, I’d light her clothing on fire so she has to take them off.”

  I laughed and grabbed him in a headlock. “Diabolical, Ian. Utterly diabolical. That might just work.” I let go of him and grinned while he shook his head and grinned back at me.

  “I can’t help but think about seduction. It’s nothing personal.”

  “I know. You do like her, though, don’t you?”

  He raised his eyebrows. “You want me to like her? Why would you care?”

  I shrugged. It made no sense except that I wanted her to be accepted by all of my friends. “Do you?”

  He hesitated before he nodded. “She owns me most conscientiously. She doesn’t forget to feed her pets. She doesn’t complain when I push her past the point of comfort in ballet. She’s coming along nicely. She has beautiful feet. Also, she loves. It’s a dangerous trait to have, but it’s difficult not to be drawn to her.”

  “But you don’t love her.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Love? Me? I learned my lesson about the inefficacy of love a long time ago.”

  “Wit? Do you still see her?”

  “We’ve had a few conversations. She keeps her distance. She’s learned her lesson as well. Things that are gold burn.” His eyes narrowed. “Green burns as well. Will you hurt her?”

  I stared at him. Hurt my treasure? “She isn’t my enemy but my possession.”

  “If she ever resists being possessed by you?”


  “Why would she? I’ll give her every preposterous thing her heart craves.”

  “So that’s the plan? Make her so happy she never realizes she’s imprisoned?”

  “Who is imprisoning her? I’m allowing her to work with Stoneburrow. I’m allowing Prince to be her contract mage. I’m even allowing her to associate with Lester. I’m specifically not keeping her captive, Ian. I’ve put so much effort into setting up balances to keep her from being at my mercy. Why do you think I allow you to dance with her? You’re feeling protective. Good. She is mine, we both know that, but not mine to ruin.” Never.

  “Yours to love,” he said softly with a sad smile. “If you had to give her up to save her, could you?” He shook his head. “Ignore me. Weddings make me nauseous, morose and other unattractive things.” He flung himself on my couch. “Do you want to go drinking all night? Maybe Zach has your bachelor party planned.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t have time for that kind of thing. I’m going to be gone for a few days. Everything has to be in order. You’re coming to the big after wedding party, right? It’s going to have a lot of cake.”

  He nodded. “Of course. I love cake. Nothing better than to eat cake and watch two other people who are disgustingly happy.”

  “Good. I might show her my dragon.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “I see.”

  “You don’t object?”

  “She’s going to be married to you. She’ll like Jello. She loves dangerous creatures.”

  I smiled at him and packed my tuxedo.

  She was waiting at the limo in a pink dress with a frilly white slip beneath the hem. Her legs were bare, probably cold in the drive in front of the pillared library. She licked her pink lips when she saw me and her eyes brightened.

  “You came.”

  I nodded. “It’s in the contract. Are my bags already in the trunk?”

  She nodded. “Yes. Pete brought them. You’ve been so busy. I barely see you anymore. You won’t skip fortune cookies on Tuesdays after we’re married, will you?”

  “It’s in the contract.” I walked over to her and bent to brush her lips with mine. Her lips were cold, soft, and unbearably sweet. “I will never miss another fortune cookie again. I swear it.”