Page 78 of Verses and Blooms
I nodded. “Then let’s do it. Why wait?”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Audrey
“Audrey?” Kane asked as he knocked on my door. I’d been writing down notes for a new melody, and I glanced up to see him standing there holding a single red rose. He held it out to me. “Will you come somewhere with me?”
“Of course,” I said, not even needing to ask where we were going. Knowing Kane, it was something adorably romantic. “You must’ve been busy.”
“I had a little help from some friends. Friends that have connections to the outside world.” He gave me a wink as he waited for me to move.
“Now you’ve got my attention.”
“It was my dashing good looks, wasn’t it?” he asked with an eyebrow wiggle that had us both losing it. He was embracing this side of himself more and it felt like we were getting small glimpses of the real Kane.
Despite ARC and Malik, we were adapting and changing, finding our way in the world that rejected us.
Like a true gentleman, Kane held out his arm for me, and I linked mine with his. He handed over the flower. The first one I’d ever received.
“Thank you,” I said, smelling it and smiling. Before we left I sat it on my desk and turned to him. “Where to? A concert? The zoo?”
“To the finest restaurant this side of the ash tree, of course,” he said, raising a single sassy eyebrow. I swear, watching Kane go from forgetful and moody to this gloriously sarcastic man was everything.
The conservatory was not where I expected him to lead me, but it was one of my favorite places, so I wasn’t going to complain. It was oddly empty for this time of night, and I had no doubt that was Kane’s doing.
Right in the middle of the beautiful glass room was a small table and two chairs. Soft music began to play as we approached, a lilting, instrumental melody that echoed off the walls and made it feel magical. Moonlight and soft lighting reflecting off the flowers and leaves in the night only added to the effect.
“This is so nice,” I said as he pulled out a chair for me. I sat down, admiring the candle and flowers between us. These weren’t flowers we grew here at ARC, but they were beautiful all the same.
“Welcome to Château Ares,” my alpha said as he walked out to join us, dressed in a tuxedo. He had a fresh haircut now, the undercut lower than it had been in weeks and his red hair combed neatly back. It even looked more vibrant. I loved a man who took care of himself and he was looking incredible.
“For our first course, we have a beautiful Caesar salad,” he said as he placed two bowls in front of us. Even the tableware was fancy and definitely not something they found here at ARC.
“I’ll be by with your second course shortly,” he added with a wink, trying to keep it professional which only made it more hilarious.
“Thank you, sir,” I said, making him falter but he hurried out regardless.
“Behave over there, omega,” Kane laughed, picking up his water glass. I did the same, clinking mine to his and taking a sip.
“Thank you for this. It makes me feel a bit more normal. And special.”
“This was the fanciest I could do, given the circumstances,” he said, “but I wanted you to have better memories here at ARC. If we’re going to be stuck here for a little longer then we should make it our own.”
“You know I love you, right?” I said, needing to say it out loud. No one had ever done something so perfectly sweet. All of this effort was just for me.
The bond was alive with our mixed feelings. A combination of gratitude and appreciation.
Not wanting to get sappy and ruin the moment, I picked up my fork and took a bite. The Caesar salad was incredible. I groaned at the flavor. The perfect mix of garlic, pepper, and parmesan. “This is nothing like the food we’ve been eating recently at ARC. Where did you get all this?”
“I couldn’t help but ask,” I added.
“Ares found a little Italian place near here,” Kane said. “I hope you’re not opposed to pasta.”
“Absolutely not. I can’t wait to try it.” Honestly, I wasn’t sure there was a food I didn’t like. I’d never really been given the choice to find out and anything tastes better than the slop I got when I was held by Seamus.
We both focused on our food, taking bites and sharing glances, until I finally broke the silence.
“Now that you have your memories back, do you remember much beyond Paul?”
