-Alexia-
The hallway had quieted; the rush of students had faded into a steady hum. I slung my bag over my shoulder, Jasper's invitation lingering in my mind. Lunch. No lectures. Just company. The words replayed like a soft echo, and I wasn't sure how to answer.
"Hey, Alexia!" Kaia's bright voice cut through my thoughts. She caught up, brushing a coil of hair from her cheek, her brown eyes curious. Zeus padded beside me, shadowy and close as ever.
"So…are you gonna tell me why you looked like your brain short-circuited when you left Theory?" she teased.
I huffed. "Jasper asked me to lunch."
Her mouth fell open. "He what?"
"Yeah... I guess he did."
"Wow. Didn't see that coming." She looped her arm through mine. "Be careful, storm girl. Jasper's charming, but he's a fae prince. They play games."
"I can handle Jasper," I said, nudging her lightly.
Kaia smirked. "If you say so. Come on, we'll be late for Arcane Ecology."
"Maybe they'll teach us how to handle royals," I joked.
We both laughed as we walked. Zeus padded ahead, glowing eyes scanning the corridor. I noticed a few flickers in the enchanted torchlights along the walls, like they dipped in acknowledgment as we passed. Vines creeping along the stone walls shifted, leaves rustling softly as if leaning closer.
"Zeus looks extra serious today," Kaia noted.
"He always does when I'm overthinking." I tried to sound casual, but a shiver crawled up my spine.
"Just remember," Kaia said, lowering her voice, "Whisperwind protects us, but it also tests us. It chooses who it lets in—and who it keeps out."
I swallowed, the weight of the walls around me suddenly heavier.
The Arcane Ecology classroom smelled of rain and moss. Light poured in from enchanted skylights, and Professor Maren stood barefoot on a patch of living moss, her green robes like woven vines.
"Today, we begin elementary bonding," she said, "specifically your connection to living flora."
Kaia and I took seats near the back, a vibrant plant with shimmering fronds on our table. Zeus circled once, settling at my feet like a watchful shadow. The door creaked open, and Soren strolled in, all composed of indifference.
"I was detained," he drawled.
"Unless that means brooding in the courtyard, manage your time better," Maren replied without turning.
Students snickered, and Soren smirked, sliding into a seat.
"Place your hand on a leaf," Maren instructed. "Breathe. Let the magic move naturally. The roots below reflect the roots within."
Kaia and I exchanged a look. We both reached out. The moment my fingers touched the leaf, a pulse rippled through me, like the room was holding its breath. I thought of Zeus, of Kaia, of the strange sense of belonging I'd felt here despite everything. Then the plant moved. Vines surged upward, curling around the pot and across the table. Leaves burst open like green fireworks, tripling in size in seconds. The air hummed, the torches around the room flickering in rhythm with my heartbeat. Vines along the walls shifted, as if leaning in. Gasps filled the room.
"Whoa!" Kaia yanked her hand back. "Alexia, what did you do?!"
"I didn't—! I don't know!"
Zeus stood, tail high but calm. The plant now towered above us, glowing gold and green, leaves rustling like a whisper. Soren's dark eyes locked on me, unreadable.
Professor Maren stepped forward, eyes wide not with fear, but wonder. "Fascinating."
"I didn't cast anything," I said, my heart hammering.
"Magic doesn't always wait for permission," Maren murmured. "When there is harmony between soul and source, things grow."
The glow slowly faded to a soft shimmer.
Kaia stared. "That was not normal."
I let out a shaky breath. "Welcome to my life."
Zeus huffed, like he'd been waiting for something interesting. Around the room, vines along the walls continued to sway lightly, as if reluctant to settle.
"Class dismissed. Reflect on your connection and write before next session," Maren instructed, still watching the plant like it was a blooming prophecy.
Students hurried out, whispering, glancing at me with a mix of wariness and awe. Kaia lingered at the door. "I'll wait outside, yeah?"
"Thanks."
When the room cleared, Maren circled the plant. "You've never studied elemental bonding before?"
"No, ma'am," I said quietly.
"And yet, it responds to you like you've spoken its language since birth." She finally looked up, eyes bright. "This plant only reacts like this in the presence of deep nature magic. Or a soul marked by the ancient wilds."
I swallowed. "I didn't mean to—"
She held up a hand. "Don't apologize. This resonance is rare. Cherish it."
She touched my shoulder, grounding me. "I'll be watching you closely. Not for punishment, but potential."
I nodded, my mind spinning with questions I couldn't voice.
"Go on," she said softly. "You have enough to think about."
Zeus led the way into the hall. Kaia perked up. "Everything okay? What did she say?"
Before I could answer, Soren leaned against the wall, dark eyes fixed on me. "Impressive trick. Not many first-years can get a plant to redecorate the ceiling."
"She didn't do it on purpose," Kaia snapped.
Soren smirked faintly. "Never said she did."
I glanced between them, tension crackling like static. Kaia broke it. "I was going to walk you to the quad."
"I'd like that," I said.
Soren's gaze sharpened. "Mind if I steal a minute first?"
Zeus growled softly.
"Smart dog," Kaia muttered.
"Just a minute," I told her. She nodded and walked down the hall.
Once she was gone, Soren's smirk fell away, his voice low. "What happened in there?"
"I touched a leaf. It grew," I said, gripping my bag strap.
"You think that's all it was?"
"I don't know. Why do you care?"
His dark gaze didn't waver. "Because that wasn't normal. Not even Whisperwind normal." His voice softened. "You're something else, Alexia."
I met his eyes evenly. "I never claimed I was normal."
A ghost of a smile flickered across his face. "No. You didn't."
He turned and walked away, the hallway swallowing him like fog.
Kaia waved from the far end, her face a mix of curiosity and concern. Zeus nudged my leg, warm and solid. Whatever happened next, I wasn't alone. I started walking, the vines on the walls brushing gently as I passed, like the school itself was waking up around me. The roots were showing. And something inside me whispered that the wings would come next.