He’d been more serious only when he’d been deciding what to do about the werewolves coming our way.
“I could not have chosen a better spot,” I assured him, once again touched by his care for a single flower.Apparently, all it took to find a man speaking my love language was three apocalypses and getting snatched by elves.“Still, it is the flower that will pass the final verdict.We’ll know by tomorrow.Now we can only plant the little fellow and hope for the best.”
He nodded again and placed the container between us.“Let me know when and where you want my hands.”
I glanced his way.Did he have to phrase it like that?Theanswereverywhere on my body,came to mind.“Could you remove the container’s lid?Graciem.”
I took the droopy-looking flower out of its crystal prison with my good hand.Throughout the process, I tried to block out the fuzzy feeling sparked by Karim’s eyes on me.He must be watching my every move, worried I might mess up.Definitely not because he was imagining my hands on him instead of the plant.
“Won’t you talk to it?”Karim suggested while I was making a hole in the dirt for the roots.“To ease its tension?”
“Mhm.”
It was me who needed release from the tension in this garden.No wonder, with him sitting so close and looking so delectable, the soft glow of numerous crystals accentuating his ethereal features.But maybe talking could help me as well.
“Hey, gorgeous.Are you feeling nervous?Happy to be out of that restrictive mountain crystal?I’ll tell you a secret: I’m nervous, too.After all, we are both doing something we haven’t done before.”
I poured several drops of water in the wide hole.“But don’t worry.You aren’t the first flower to have made such a dangerous journey to a new home and survived under my care.Besides, here it is beautiful and safe, and you will have not just anyone but a prince to pamper you.”I sighed.“Who wouldn’t want that?Karim, could you–”
The rest of my request got stuck in my throat as I saw Karim’s expression at that moment.It was one of pain and longing all rolled into one, the look in his eyes haunted.
“Karim?”
He blinked and just like that, his usual serious face was back on.I was left wondering whether I’d imagined it, or had really gotten a glimpse into the raw emotions of this enigmatic male.But what could a prince long for that he couldn’t have?
“What do you need, Jasmine?”
“Uhh…”Focus, girl!“Could you hold the flower while I spreadthe roots into the soil?”
“Like this?”
“Yes, just hold it over the hole a bit lower.Yes, right there.”
Right there, indeed.He was so close to me that his shoulder was brushing mine, and I could smell the minty aroma of his shampoo.Or whatever elves used to keep their inhumanly straight hair in pristine condition.Watching his careful movements as he assisted me in burying the roots, I realized he was left-handed.Just like me.
I tried to hold in a chortle but failed.
“What is it?”His face was close enough for me to feel his warm breath on my skin.
I shivered.“It’s just that… People used to say that those left-handed are artistic, creative, and even masterminds.So with us both being left-handed, our baby here could not help but grow strong and one day rule–if not the world, then at least this garden.”
He went as tense as a pulled bowstring next to me, and I lowered my gaze to the replanted edelweiss, feeling my hopes deflate.“Who am I kidding?The poor flower will probably perish with so many conditions for its survival not met–”
A cool finger brushed my chin, making me meet Karim’s gaze.
“You did your best, as promised,” he said softly.“Whatever happens, you will not be held responsible, Jasmine.You already put your life on the line for this flower; there’s no need to do anything more.”
I simply nodded, his touch and gentle tone making me lightheaded.
“You will check on ourbabytomorrow.”He smiled a bit as he used my words.“Now,” he added in his authoritative tone, “you need to rest and heal.”
I nodded once again.Rest sounded good.There was a dull pain in my bite wound, my ankle was throbbing in my sitting position, and I was also sleepy.The question was, where was I going to get therest the Prince ordered?
Not wishing to hear an answer I might not like, I didn’t ask.Instead, I watched Karim wash his hands in the pool.Then I let him pour water from the jar on my hands and feet so that I too could clean up.And when he lifted me in his arms without saying a word, I kept quiet myself.
I got my answer when Karim effortlessly lowered me down on his moss.He was letting me spend the night here!My heart went pitter-patter at the sweet gesture.
My stomach chose that moment to growl.The loud sound echoing in the room made me wince in mortification.
