Page 68 of Blooms of Darkness

“Kade!” Storm grunted, exasperated. “Yes, we want to figure out the darkness, too. Yes, you can trust us. Yes, we will help.”

I waited for Kade to acknowledge his friend’s response. Electricity seemed to dance between us. He brought his hand up, gently knocking underneath my chin. “Your secret is safe with me.”

He stared into my eyes a few moments longer. Regardless of how hard I tried, I could not break away from the storms fillinghis gaze. He released my chin, and I finally freed myself from this trance.

Nodding toward Ian to lead the way, I followed, touching Kalliah’s arm as we passed, steadying myself for a moment.

“Great, leave me here to explain why five men’s voices are coming from inside your private garden,” Kalliah grumbled. “Can’t wait.”

“We haven’t been caught before, we willnotbe caught now.” I touched her shoulder in quiet thanks.

“You mean before the hulking, broody contender for the crown lazily stood outside your door.”

I snorted but kept walking out to my balcony.

“She forgot handsome, sexy, alluring?—”

“I’m not sure I’ve ever met anyone who enjoys the sound of their own voice as much as you do, Kade,” I said.

Storm coughed, but it sounded more like he tried to cover a laugh.

“Now, shall we discuss the details of our next drop, or would you like to continue this tirade?” I asked, my eyebrow arched.

We descended into my garden. My sanctuary now held more people than it ever had before.

As the men behind me left the staircase and fully stepped onto the lush floral masterpiece, I stretched my arm out. “Welcome to my private escape.”

Storm gave a slight nod and kept moving forward, following Ian.

Kade had stopped, his fingers gently touching a beautiful dark-blue hydrangea bush blooming amongst storm-grey roses. I loved this spot.

“Some of the Earth Fae enjoy experimenting with combinations of floral colors,” I said. “Corbin, he’s one of the men who accompanied us on the last drop, and who you will meet in a moment, has an incredible knack for creating colors.He’s mastered every combination I’ve asked for.” I didn’t know why I felt the need to explain this to Kade, but for a second, it seemed as though he cared. Besides, I couldn’t help but love sharing the beauty which could be created here.

I knelt next to the roses, inhaling deeply.

Suddenly the color seemed too familiar. I’d asked for these a few weeks ago after returning from meeting Kade and Storm, and damn it all, this grey practically matched his eyes.

Clearing my throat, I rose, but Kade still stood, studying me. “I think finding the right colors to complement and work together can be just as magical as growing larger trees or crops. Status amongst society be damned, I’m grateful for the talent of those around me.” I fidgeted, my fingers twitching as I rambled.

I turned quickly, brushing past Kade and toward the others, slightly embarrassed at sharing so much of my inner thoughts. Especially sharing them aloud whether Kade had been interested in them or not.

Leif and Corbin were speaking to Ian and Storm when we approached.

“The roses turned out perfectly,” I said to Corbin, gently bumping into his shoulder. “Thank you.”

“I had fun.”

I laughed at the straight face in which he replied. Corbin was the most stoic of our group. His recalling something as fun was rare and made me love the work he put into helping me even more.

I’d caught him smiling alongside Ian and Leif more than once, but he didn’t express joy easily. Still, his steady presence could not be ignored. He told things like they were, which most people strayed from when speaking with royalty. He never balked when I asked for help in my garden, but he never shied away from telling me when my ideas weren’t going to work, either.

For a second, my chest tightened. I’d spent so long believing Ian and Kalliah were the only friends who saw and understood me. Yet Leif and Corbin were two more Fae, risking their lives for a notion I’d come up with. Simply because I’d asked. They’d been loyal, and never demanded elevation of their status, or asked for anything in return.

A part of me wondered if I’d been too callous assuming I didn’t have more Fae I could count amongst my friends. If I considered all of which Leif, Corbin, and Elisabeth had done for me, there were three more people right there I depended on fully.

Now Kade and Storm joined our mix. I highly doubted I would trust them nearly as much as Ian or Kalliah, but the promise of a new kind of bond tethering between us seemed right. It softened the jagged edges of a part of me I didn’t realize needed acceptance.

“This spot is secure, as there is no access save for the one we created ourselves, or up the stairs and through Lana’s room,” Ian said since we were all gathered in the safety of the garden. “All conversations about the Hidden Henchman should happen here, or out on the road if necessary.”

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