Crowning Glory (In Bloom Book 2)

6: Once Upon a Dream

When it seemed the intense whirl of magic had passed, Grim and I took in our new surroundings.

The bookshelf was filled my favorite series, grimoires, and journals. An immense garden in full bloom was visible from the reading nook. I recognized the wooden dresser I personally painted. A sleek ebony piano engraved with golden flowers sat in the center of the room. 

We were in the Land of Pyroxene. At my house. In my room. 

"Any clues as to what Malleus might throw at you?" Grim asked.

"I wish I knew."

The only thing that came to my mind were Malleus' words from the party.

"You shall no longer need to mourn any more partings nor shed any more tears. What we should be celebrating today is a beginning, not an end! You shall be born anew today. Into a world without sorrow, a world where you'll never say goodbye to your family, or friends...or anything ever again."

Even though it could be our wildest dreams come true, we had to keep reminding ourselves that none of it was real, even if it meant potentially hurting people I cared about.

This was all an illusion. Nothing would actually happen to them in reality.

Someone knocked on my door outside. I recognized my mom's voice, "Cassie, may we come in?"

"Y-Yeah, go ahead," I hesitantly answered.

My mom and grandmother entered. Just like when I first saw them at the gala, the two leading ladies of the Vitale clan were impeccably dressed in their formal dresses. 

Nonna gasped, "Stellina! The party's nearly started and you're not even ready yet?"

Grim looked me up and down at the black halter top and white floral pattern skirt I wore, "What's wrong with what she's wearing?"

Mamma and nonna exchanged disappointed looks with one another before they got to work.

My confusion remained, "What's all the fuss about? What's going on?"

"Have you forgotten?" nonna looked through my jewelry box until she pulled out a pair of crystal earrings and a matching necklace. "It's a big day today."

Until I figured out a way out of this dream mess, I would play along to buy myself some time. It seemed Grim go the same idea when he asked, "Well, y'know, we've had such a busy schedule lately...we kinda forgot."

Mamma pulled out several outfits from my dresser, "We're celebrating your internship at Evermoor National University to study herbal medicine. Congratulations, sweetie. I'm so proud of you."

The college of my dreams.

I pointed out, "It seems a little excessive to have such an extravagant party, wouldn't you think? Why not maybe go out to dinner or something?"

"Are you kidding? This is a big deal! But that's not all. We have some rather exciting news too."

"What is it?"

My grandmother winked, "It's a surprise. I think you'll be quite pleased. We have to hurry though. Everyone is waiting for us."

With myself finally dressed in a simple green high-low dress and coordinating silver jewelry, we all made our trek down the stairs toward the lounge. The room was decorated with balloons and streamers. Several bouquets of lilies and calendulas had been arranged throughout the room. Dozens of people cheered when I entered. Cousins. Aunts. Uncles. I had not seen them in years.