GARRIK
The path into Fablegrove winds low through a thicket of flowering trees, branches arching overhead and dripping with blooms in every shade. Pan runs ahead, already shouting something about bug candy and paper lanterns, and Davrin’s trying—and failing—to keep up.
Flora and Ivarr stroll behind us, hand in hand, like they’ve done this a hundred times, bringing their family to Fablegrove for tea and flowers and books. And part of that family…
Part of that family are me and Iris.
And gods, she’s beautiful.
She’s wearing a dress Flora lent her—rosy pink with flutter sleeves, the dress drifting around her ankles even though it would hit closer to the knee on Flora. Iris has her hair up in a messy bun, honey blonde curls bouncing, her glasses perched on her nose. She smells like honey and lavender andIris…and me.
She smells like me, and it’s almost too much for me to handle.
I still haven’t recovered from this morning.
“Garrik,” Iris asks, nudging my thigh with her elbow. “Are you staring?”
I flush from my ears to the tips of my antennae. “...yes.”
She laughs, ducking her head a little, but she doesn’t tell me to stop. She reaches out instead, sliding her small hand into mine, holding on like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
I think I could die happy here…
…if it weren’t for the fact that I haven’t had her yet. Not fully. Not in the way she wants.
Fablegrove opens around us like a storybook—wisteria-draped lampposts, wooden walkways strung with glowing blossoms, storefronts carved directly into massive, ancient trees. Spacecraft fly overhead every so often, but the sound is almost completely muted by the massive, sun-speckled canopy.
“This is incredible,” Iris breathes.
“It’s the Arborium’s hidden gem,” I murmur, smiling. “Away from the bustle of the main hub, with all the best stores and cafes…I can’t wait to show it to you.”
Pan reappears like a summoned spirit, cheeks sticky with something bright purple. “We’re getting fizzy fruit! Dad said it’s my turn to pick. Iris, do you want to try a popberry? They fizz in your mouth!”
“I absolutely do,” she grins.
“Come on!” he snatches her hand away from me and tugs her toward a berry cart, leaving me standing in the middle of the cobbled walkway with a heart too big for my chest. Pan is already almost her height, and it’s hilarious to see how mismatched they are…but she’s so beautiful.
So damn beautiful, andmine.
Davrin nudges me. “You’re so gone, it’s painful.”
I snort. “I know.”
Davrin tosses a berry into his mouth and chews like he’s settling in for a show. “So when’s the wedding? Do we start prepping the apiary for a reception or…?”
I shake my head, smiling to myself. “She’s not going anywhere.”
“Damn right she’s not. Pan’s already picked out her room and told the neighbors his uncle finally caught a ‘mate with library credentials.’”
I groan quietly, but it’s good-natured. “He didn’t.”
“He absolutely did. Old Myra down by the bonsai nursery said she expects a spring wedding.”
I rub the back of my neck, antennae twitching. “Well, I hope they’re not expecting invitations anytime soon. I’d at least like one uninterrupted morning.”
Davrin barks a laugh. “Yeah, good luck with that.”
I glance toward Iris again, and everything else disappears.
