Evermore Blooms Novels & Stories

Ethan said. She looked between us. "The plan for zone three," she said, pulling her growth chart from somewhere I hadn't seen her carry it, "is bulbs, things that go in now and come up in autumn. Ms. Park found a list." "Of course she did," I said. "Shade tolerant," Lily said. "Because of the apple tree." "Smart," Ethan said. "It was Ms. Park's word," Lily said. "But yes." Ethan put the middle three waffles on the table, they were good. Right temperature, right colour, the particular result of forty-five minutes of early morning recalibration. I ate mine, he watched me.

“Do you smell it?” My frown deepened. “What nonsense are you blabbering about? Have you lost your mind?” He turned his head away from me, doing that weird sniffing thing. “The whole palace needs to be rid of moonveil blossom.” Moonveil blossom. There was nothing like that planted anywhere on my grounds. “I think you have officially lost it and you better pray to the goddess that I don’t lose my shit.” “Who put this flower here?” He motioned to the discard bouquet. “Whoever put this here is bathed in the moonveil blossom.”

I left the hall and wandered into the garden to look at the flowers. "Why did you come out here? Didn't I tell you to wait for me?" That cool, steady voice came from beside me. It was Chandler. I turned my head and happened to meet his deep, steady gaze. "Look at these blooms. Back when we studied at the academy, the flowers looked just like this." Since my grandfather was the royal advisor, I naturally had the right to study alongside the princes at the academy.

Elara I felt it before we clearly saw the Bloodbloom. I think we all felt it. The Vale thinned. It withdrew as we edged closer to the Bloodbloom. I slowed, “There,” I said quietly. Trees opened into a circular clearing as we approached. At the center, a single plant bloomed— petals unfurling in deep crimson layers that glistened wetly. “The Bloodbloom,” one of the guards whispered. Its petals pulsed faintly, like a heartbeat.

I took it. The walk to the altar felt unreal. The ceremony space had been arranged in one of Emberfall’s great garden courtyards, where black stone paths circled a wide open space filled with flowers from both sides. My father had spared no expense, but he had not made it cold or too grand for me to breathe. Emberfall’s gold arches stood over the aisle, but were softened by vines and flowers brought from the werewolf side. White moonblossoms from Brooksbridge grew beside Emberfall’s fire-blooms. Vandwood greenery, what could be salvaged and carried, had been woven into the decorations. Golden lanterns hung from branches. Water moved softly in channels near the edge of the courtyard, and beyo

“Ms. Jensen, your partner and the kids are amazing. You’re really lucky. “Your arm would have been fine with just some ointment. But they insisted you stay in the hospital and took care of you the whole time.” Moon smiled. Pride shone in her eyes. Julian walked in with the two boys. He handed her the bouquet he was holding, and a warm smile spread across his face. “Your discharge papers are ready. The boys picked these flowers this morning. Congratulations on getting out of the hospital!” Zayden and Yannick leaned in on either side. “Ms. Jensen, look! There are still dewdrops on the flowers!” “Ms. Jensen, these flowers are as pretty as you!”

I have to be ready. By the mid-morning break, Everleigh was stiff from practice, but she welcomed the chance to step outside into the Academy gardens. The scent of freshly cut grass mingled with the faint perfume of early blooms, and the sun warmed her shoulders. Even confined to the same white dress as everyone else, she could move freely, allowing the gentle breeze to lift her hair and temper the tension in her muscles. She found a quiet corner, far from prying eyes, and closed her eyes for a moment. I survived yesterday. I will survive today. The thought steadied her, a small flame of courage against the lingering unease of her dreams.

"That thing doesn't like me. I see it in my dreams." She didn't ask what they meant. They bought nothing. They just stood for a while, then left. By the time dusk hit, the flowers had grown taller. Crimson petals opened toward her whenever she walked near. Not aggressive. More like recognition. She stared at the mirror one last time before closing. The cracks were thicker now, webbing across the surface like veins under skin. Her reflection met her gaze. This time, it whispered — barely audible. "Bloom." She closed her eyes. Felt it in her chest like a drumbeat. Something ancient, crawling, rising through soil, through concrete, through thought.

"Happy anniversary, honey! We're going to stay at Wildrose Estate today, where you'll finally get to see the sea of flowers I've prepared for you by tonight." I smiled without saying a word. I took out the divorce papers I'd prepared and pushed them toward him. "Sign them." I'd already flipped to the last page. Claude took them and signed without hesitation. I froze for a second. "Are you not even going to check what it is?" Claude didn't seem to care. "Isn't it just an adjustment to the IVF plan? We've always signed something like this whenever it failed before." I held the flash drive in my hand, feeling nothing but irony.

Not in a way that felt invasive. But in the way flowers know where the sun is. Zoe texted me nearly every night. Zoe: Still reeling from your glow-up. Also your life. Also your rooftop view. How’s it feel to be living in a P*******t board? Me: Exhausting. Amazing. Unreal. All three at once. Zoe: Come home soon for ramen night. Lucas keeps pretending he doesn’t miss you, but he keeps sighing dramatically when your name comes up.