Page 175 of Midnights
Raven
Kane shuts the door behind us quietly, the faint click echoing through the space. My breath is steady but my pulse isanything but.
He leads me deeper into the greenhouse, past curling vines and towering ferns, deeper into a space that feels untouched. Each step feels like slipping into something secret. The further we go, the wilder it becomes, the neat arrangements giving way to tangled greens and massive blooms.
Just ahead, half-hidden beneath the towering foliage, a small room comes into view. A room I wouldn’t have noticed on my own. Nestled in a dense cluster of plants, it blends seamlessly into the chaos around it.
I follow behind him, and I can't help but where my eyes land.
The way his shoulders shift beneath his shirt, and his easy confident stride is impossiblenotto admire.
His sleeves are rolled up, revealing those forearms that should be illegal, and I swear the absolute audacity of this man existing in my vicinity without a warning label should be a crime.
I try to keep my eyes where they should be. But they drift lower, tracing the lines of his back, and the way his shirt pulls across his broad frame.
Damn it.
Heat simmers deep in my core, and I can feel how wet I’m getting. I drag my gaze back to the path ahead, determined not to actually trip. One misstep and I’ll not only eat shit, but I'll probably die from embarrassment.
The second we step into the hidden room, I freeze. It’s breathtaking. An entire wall is covered in wild thistles. Their deep purple hues are stark against the tangle of rich green. Moonflowers bloom beside them with their silvery petals wide open, glowing faintly under the light.
Scattered across the ground, nestled along the roots and stones are tiny glass mushrooms that are glowing. They're everywhere. Soft blues, deep violets, and eerie greens. Like tiny little lanterns.
I can’t stop the soft gasp that escapes me.
“This…” My voice barely rises above a whisper. “This place is amazing.”
My fingers brush over a moonflower, almost hesitant, and a slow, knowing smile tugs at Kane’s lips.
I swear to the Gods, because there’s no way justonemade him. He’s a walking wet dream wrapped in bad decisions. Therehasto be a flaw somewhere. Maybe if I can get him to take his shirt off,strictly for scientific purposes, of course,I’ll find something. No one should look this perfect.
He blinks, and the moment is gone.
“I brought you in here so you could pi—”
“How did you know this was here?”
He steps closer and suddenly I'm reminded we're alone.
“I’ve been here all day.” he says, lowering his voice. “Pick anything you want”
I blink, trying to process his words. “What? Why? What are we doing?”
A slow smile tugs at his lips as he closes the space between us. He's too close now.“Well, since it’s the solsticeanda full moon, it’s tradition to leave a small gift for the faeries. In return, they’re said to leave one for you too,” he explains. “Rumor has it, their gifts are full of magic.”
He manages to keep a straight face while he watches me. “We used to do it as kids,” he continues, shrugging. “Figured it wasjuststrange enough that you’d be into it.”
I cross my arms, tilting my head at him, unable to stop my grin.
“The only reason I'mnotoffended that you’re judging my weirdness is because, for once, you're actually right,” I say smoothly. “Only a tiny bit, though.”
I shoot him a pointed look before quickly turning away,because there’s no way I’m letting him see me smile like an idiot.He's right though, it does sound fun.
My eyes land on a beautiful, overgrown moonflower, its vines are wrapped tightly around a tall thistle. The white blooms curl around sharp, violet spikes.
Fitting.
“I want that one.”
