It’s #BookQW and sometimes people are ‘perfectly’ different than you thought.
More from Chapter 22:
Fern started dipping cupfuls of the black soil mixture into a seed tray.
“What is that?” Raven asked, his question more of a challenge.
“Potting soil,” she answered warily.
“You can’t grow ratna in that barren matter.”
Her hackles rose. What he said was true—this seed-starting mix had been sterilized—but heck, she’d always used it. “I think I know what I’m doing.”
Raven didn’t back down. “I believe I know more about magical plants than you do.” His words were biting, but somehow, his tone remained even. “A ratna bonds with the wizard and the land. You must…I’m asking you”—his voice dropped to a cajoling cadence—“not to take these amazing energy capsules you’ve managed to find for the Meadows and subject them to that lifeless substance.” His gaze drilled into her. “Please allow me to fetch you soil, real soil, containing the life of our land.”
Oh. This sourpuss who had opposed her very presence here nearly had her in tears with his perfectly eloquent and tender view of her precious seeds.
“Fine,” she grumbled to hide her wavering voice. “I accept your offer.” While waiting for Raven to bring the soil, she poked parsley seeds into the cells of the filled tray to start another batch for Hilda. Then she plucked a ratna seed and held it before her. How had Raven done what he’d done earlier?
Show your magic.
Fill with magic?
Nothing happened before Raven returned with a bucket of the Meadows soil. Its earthy smell filled the enclosed window. She kneaded her fingers into it and drew another deep breath. He was right. This rich, dark soil was what the ratna needed.
He watched while she filled a new tray. Raven had said he was a Meadows. Maybe he should… She shoved the bowl of seeds toward him. “You have magic. Use it to do whatever you all do for planting.”
“I can’t.” Raven stepped back, tucking his hands up into his armpits and shaking his head. “That’s against the rules. I can perform some of the physical labor, but growing seeds and plants has to be done by you. It’s your trial.”
She eyed Raven. “Tonight you’re acting like you want me to succeed. Why were you so rude to me when we met?”
He narrowed his eyes in return. “Because you were late arriving. We’d waited hours, and I didna want to deal with an outsider on my family property.” He looked at his feet. “Also, I was running late with my projects.”
Annoyed about other stuff, and she had been in the way. Sounds like something I would do. Fern turned back to the seeds. In her hands, they still looked like plain brown husks.
If only I could do what Raven can.
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