“I’ll save you the trouble of defining its special meaning, love. I saw it there, thought you might like it, so I plucked it for you. I’m not declaring us soulmates.”
“Ha!” I nearly choked, horrified that I had laughed so shrilly. “I’m sorry. That was rude. Of course you’re not declaring us soulmates, Mr. Evergreen. Don’t be obtuse.”
He grinned at my response; his eyes fell to my lips.
“It’s wonderful though, really,” I said. “Thank you.”
“Not as wonderful as your laugh.”
“What?”
He shook his head, then brought his palm to the underside of my face. Cyrus leaned forward, gently, sweetly, lightly kissing my lips. I opened my eyes as he drew back.
He said, “I’m somewhat of a flower enthusiast. They hold meaning behind their colors, did you know?”
I could only see his mouth as it departed from mine.
After a moment, he said, “For instance, aredrose is commonly considered the most romantic. It represents passion and love. However, I believe that is a matter of personal experience. Awhiterose brings with it respect for one’s partner and new beginnings,” he explained. “Loyalty, yes? Depending on your priorities, that feels deeper, I think.”
I tried not to smile, but couldn’t. “Have you schooled yourself in flower meanings as a means to woo us ladies?” I asked. “That was quite the demonstration.”
Cyrus sat back with a quiet bark of laughter. “Of course, Your Highness. Everything I learn is for you ladies.”
I couldn’t decide if he was serious. I asked, “Sir… What dodaisiesmean?”
Mr. Evergreen cocked his head. “Daisies? I give you a rose and you ask about daisies?”
My eyes narrowed and looked over the flower, twisting it in my fingers. “It was your doing, wasn’t it? Tell me. Did you instruct the Prince to give me flowers? Did you tell him which ones?”
He angled his brow but he never said the words.
“I see. They were daisies,” I said.
“Were they?” he asked.
“Yes. Yellow ones. What do yellow daisies mean?” I asked.
He mulled on it, muttering something I did not hear.
“Your pardon?”
“Friendship,” he said louder.
“Friendship?”I asked. “I see. Yes, the Prince and I are quite close in ourfriendship, aren’t we?”
“He wanted something that wasn’t…”
“Romantic?” I asked.
“Over the top,” Cyrus replied. “He’d just met you.”
“Ah. So he enlisted the great flower expert, Cyrus Evergreen,” I said. “And you picked daisies for me? Was that before or after you called me attractive? Wouldyouhave given me daisies with such feelings? Had you been able to act upon it?”
He frowned then grinned.
“Cat have you tongue, sir?”
“I would’ve given you roses,” he said.
