LOGINI can hardly believe it. Before my friends can say anything else, I squeal and throw my arms around them both, jumping up and down. Liam and Brian and the twins are the one major thing I’ve missed dearly since leaving Bo’Arrocan, and to find that they’re finally considering living in Ordan full time
“On schedule, believe it or not,” I reply. “The Bo’Arrocan branch is finally running smoothly, and the Ordan location just graduated its first class of seniors. Six of them got full scholarships to prestigious art schools.”“That’s amazing, Iris.” Alice squeezes my arm. “You’ve created something tru
IrisFive Years Later…“Fifty years of marriage, and they still make each other laugh like that,” Arthur says, appearing at my side with two glasses of champagne. He hands me one and clinks his against it, and we watch as my parents twirl on the lawn, my mom throwing her head back at something my fa
“Gee. Thanks,” I manage to laugh weakly. “I’ll see you all next week.”“You most certainly will not,” Arthur, Hunter, and Alice all say in unison, making me roll my eyes.Outside, Arthur’s car is waiting, parked haphazardly half on the curb. He must have driven like a maniac to get here so quickly f
IrisEight months later…“And that’s why the colors on this side of the color wheel are considered ‘cool’ colors,” I explain to the class of children sitting in a semicircle around me. “They remind us of water, ice, and the sky.”I’m demonstrating on a large color wheel chart when a sharp pain rips
And through it all, Augustine’s breathing grows slower, shallower.Then, quietly and calmly, she goes.Her hand turns limp in mine. The steady beeping of the heart monitor flatlines. The doctor steps forward, checks for a pulse, then shakes her head.“Time of death, 10:47 AM,” she says quietly.I br
IrisSelina just stands there in stunned silence for several long moments, and I’m not entirely sure if she’s enraged or embarrassed. Likely both. Without another word, she huffs angrily and storms out of the gallery, leaving Arthur’s Beta still standing there.I expect him to turn and follow his mi
I stare at her, not really sure what her hangover has to do with me.My hesitance seems to make Selina bristle. “Well?” she asks, snapping her fingers—snapping them. “Be a dear and fetch some coffee for the future Luna of Ordan, will you?”The man goes to say something, but I shake my head and plast
IrisThe curator was right.Over the days since my seminar, it seems that my ‘mysterious’ identity as ‘Flora the artist’ has drawn even more interest in my work than ever. My collection is being talked about all over online forums, with local Ordan critics writing articles on the symbolism.And then
And I do just that. When we return to the gallery—in Brian’s car rather than Arthur’s—I go in the back entrance.I explain the situation to the gallery staff, who, to my surprise, all express their understanding. They assure me that they’ll keep my identity confidential, which I appreciate more than







