Page 21 of Garden of Ashes & Hope

Mordakus follows, his expression softening as he watches me flit from plant to plant, identifying species and rattling off their uses.

"Slow down, Eve," he quips. "We've got time. This place isn't going anywhere."

I pause, struck by the rare sound of his laughter. "You're right," I say, smiling up at him. "It's just... it's been so long since I've seen so much life in one place."

We spend the next hour exploring the garden, gathering ripe fruits and vegetables, and harvesting medicinal herbs. As I kneel to examine a particularly lush patch of greenery, something catches my eye.

"Oh my goodness," I gasp, carefully unearthing a small metal box. "Mordakus, look!"

He crouches beside me as I open the box, revealing dozens of seed packets.

"Seeds," I explain, my voice trembling with excitement. "All kinds - vegetables, flowers, even some trees. With these, we could... We could start a new garden. Wherever we end up."

I look up at Mordakus, half expecting him to dismiss the idea as impractical. But to my surprise, his eyes are warm, his expression thoughtful.

"You should take them," he says softly. "Every paradise needs a garden, right?"

His words send a flood of warmth through me. "You really think we'll find it? Our paradise?"

Mordakus is quiet for a moment, his gaze distant. Then he looks at me, really looks at me, in a way that makes my heart skip a beat.

"I think," he says slowly. "Maybe we're already building it. Bit by bit."

We sit in comfortable silence for a while, simply enjoying this rare moment of peace. I find myself studying Mordakus's profile, noting the way the sunlight plays off his demonic features. Once, they terrified me. Now, they're just part of who he is - my protector, my teacher, my... friend? The word seems inadequate for what we've become to each other.

As the sun begins to dip towards the horizon, we reluctantly prepare to move on. I carefully pack the seed box in my bag, along with our foraged supplies.

"Ready?" Mordakus asks, offering me a hand up.

I take it, marveling at how his touch sends a thrill through me. "Ready," I confirm.

As we set out once more, leaving the castle and its secret garden behind, I feel a renewed sense of purpose. We're not just surviving anymore; we're working towards something. A future. A home.

"Tell me more about these seeds," Mordakus says as we walk. "What will you plant first when we reach the coast?"

His interest warms my heart, and I launch into an excited explanation of my plans. As I talk, I notice Mordakus watching me with a soft expression I've never seen before. "What?" I ask, suddenly self-conscious.

He shakes his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Nothing. Just... you're beautiful when you're passionate about something."

His words catch me off guard, and I feel a blush creeping up my cheeks. "Oh," I stammer. "I... thank you."

We continue on, the silence between us charged with something new and exhilarating. As the first stars appear in the darkening sky, I find myself dreaming of the future. A little house by the sea, a thriving garden full of life, Vincent lounging in the sun. And Mordakus... Mordakus right there beside me, his red eyes crinkled in a smile meant just for me.

15

EVE

The morning sun filters through the leaves of the small plant cutting I've been nurturing since we left the abandoned castle. I gently touch its delicate leaves, smiling as I notice new growth.

"How's our little traveler doing?" Mordakus asks, his gruff voice softer than usual.

I look up, surprised by his interest. "It's thriving," I say, unable to keep the excitement from my voice. "See these new leaves? It's adapting well to our journey."

Mordakus kneels beside me, his large frame dwarfing the tiny plant. "What kind is it again?"

"It's a rugen cutting," I explain. "My mom used to grow it in our garden. The scent always reminds me of home."

His eyes soften at the mention of my past. "Tell me more," he says, settling down next to me.

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