Page 75 of Song of the Dark Wood

He jumped, and she let out a surprised squeal and clung to him even tighter. Conor chuckled as he landed with ease a few feet below.

“It’s a smoother walk from here,” he whispered.

His footsteps echoed louder, and Rowan seemed surprised they weren’t heading for the music room where she liked to spy on him. He let her watch and pretended he didn’t notice because he spent the rest of his time spying on her. It was only fair to indulge her curiosity.

The air grew warmer as he walked into the greenhouse. He breathed in the scent of moss and the musty humidity of wet dirt and pollen.

Conor hesitated, enjoying the feeling of her in his arms, before he set her on her feet. He untied the blindfold and let it fall from her eyes.

She blinked, allowing her eyes to adjust to the dimmer lighting. Through the large glass windows, a neon sunset cast an array of pinks and oranges on the lush greenhouse full offerns and huge, exotic flowers in bright reds, purples, and pinks. Rowan’s eyes went wide as she spun to take in the whole room.

The entire greenhouse was vibrant with new growth. Vines climbed the large glass windows and hundreds of plants had either bloomed or were on the verge of doing so.

“What—what is this?” Rowan asked as she took a few tentative steps forward.

“It’s the old greenhouse. These are some of the rarest and most unique flowers in our world.”

“But they’realive,” she murmured dumbly.

Conor smiled. “Not until recently.Youdid this, Rowan. They’re alive because of you.”

She turned and stared at him.

“I know you come down to the east hall to sing.”

Her eyes widened in panic. “I know I’m not supposed to, but the acoustics are so beautiful with the tall ceilings?—”

Conor held up a hand. “I’m not upset. I’m just hoping you’ll explain.”

She bit her lip and looked out the windows at the gathering dark.

“I promise I’m not angry. I’m just trying to understand how this is possible. The plants here have been dried up for a long time,” Conor said. “I haven’t done anything. The only change has been you and your singing.”

Rowan swallowed hard. “My voice is magic. I don’t know why. It’s unique to me and not something all Red Maidens can do. When I sing, it brings things to life.”

It explained why Conor found her so incredibly compelling. Rowan breathed life into his whole world. No wonder he was so helplessly drawn to her. No wonder she smelled and tasted like life itself.

“Clearly,” he laughed, gesturing to the lush garden. “I can’t even remember the last time I saw them bloom. I came downhere the other day for the first time in a very long time and noticed. Also, the luminaries have returned.”

“The luminaries?” Rowan asked.

“Yes, they’re plant spirits who come to life at night and glow. You’ll see them soon,” Conor replied. She stared at him like she thought he was messing with her. “You’ll see something pretty spectacular from the plants, too. I haven’t seen it since I was younger.”

“And when was that?”

His lips quirked into a smirk. “Some time ago.”

“How oldareyou?” she taunted.

Before Conor could answer, the first glowing golden light caught her eye. Rowan gasped as she watched it float up from a large pink flower that was about to bloom.

20

ROWAN

Rowan couldn’t believe Conor had brought her somewhere so romantic. The entire greenhouse looked like something straight out of a fairy tale. She hadn’t even considered that her song might be reviving more than just the Dark Garden.

Suddenly, a bloom opened with a giant puff of glittering pollen in a rainbow of colors. It burst into the air and the light cast by the glowing luminary orbs made it sparkle as it floated down like iridescent snowflakes.

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