“It’s perfect,” I assured him.“But I would suggest…” I hesitated, but encouraged by his smile, I continued more confidently.“You should replace the water inside with some moss and soil from where the roots are.The edelweiss does not like overwatering; several drops on the soil would suffice.”
He nodded, visibly pleased.
“Should I put the water drops here?”He pointed with his long, sharp nail at a section of the moss close to the flower.
“Asi.”
“How many drops?”
“Four or five, I’d say.One drop more or less should not be fatal.”
The serious tone with which he’d asked the question and the delicate way he measured exactly four drops of water, warmed my heart.He, a creature with the strength to lift a car, was now being as gentle with the flower as a mother was with her newborn.
“You put the moss inside along with the soil,” Karim told me once he’d gotten rid of the excess water.“I do not trust my hands.”
I bit my lip.“If I fail and this plant dies… Will I get executed?”
His gaze softened further.“No one is executing you, Jasmine.Go ahead without fear.”
I believed him.I didn’t know how, but I knew he was a man of his word.Or I was simply dazzled by his looks, his closeness, and the power behind his use of my name.Only time would tell.But I would give this replanting my all either way, because the edelweiss deserved my best.
First I prepared the flower’s means of transportation.Karim held the glass container upright and steady as I filled it with the necessary ingredients.Then I proceeded to the most delicate stage: uprooting the specimen.
“Come on now, little flower,” I spoke to my patient throughout.“A whole new world awaits you.You will probably have some company there, new friends to make–”
“Yes, you will,” Karim joined in.“You will have your own special place in my home but still have many friends nearby.You will be cherished, little one.”
I choked down the emotions stirred by his words and the lyrical qualities of his voice.It wasn’t right to crave being the one Karim was talking to.
To be cherished, to have a home and friends–those were things I could no longer experience, so it was normal to desire them.But it wasn’t normal to wish to have them with an elf by my side.I had to remind myself that these beings killed humans.They didn’t consider us their equals.There could never be anus.
“There you go, beautiful,” I whispered when the edelweiss was free from its place.“Work with me now and hop right in.Almostthere…”
I slowly placed the flower in the container Karim held for me.I felt like a scientist expecting her experiment to blow up in her face any second.Karim watched my every move as if under a microscope.
So far, so good…
“Done!”The edelweiss was nestled safely inside the container, and the lid was back on.I could breathe more easily now.Karim’s pleased smile my way made me grin as I left the flower in his hands.“Congratulations, daddy.”
The second I realized what I’d said, my cheeks and ears caught fire.“I–I meant that–your flower–like a baby–”
“It is all right, Jasmine.”In fact, Karim’s smile was broader now.He placed the container into my hands.“You keep it safe until you plant it in my garden, and I will keepyousafe along the way.”
My heart skipped a beat at the warmth in his tone and the trust he was placing in me.“Are you sure?What if I trip and break the glass?Won’t it be safer inside your quiver?”
“You are steady on your feet; I saw you move.Even if you drop it, the container is made of an unbreakable crystal.”
“Oh.”I still hugged the container to my chest.I wouldn’t take any chances with this little miracle.I was going to make sure the precious specimen made it safely to its new home.
I got to my feet–
An arrow sank into the ground a few steps away.I jumped back in shock.
It was an elf’s arrow but its fletching was yellow instead of the black I was used to.
I turned to Karim in time to catch him exchanging a heavy look with Tisvali.
“We should climb up,” Tisvali said with urgency, “wait for darkness to fall.We can take them out then.”
