Larkspur plants lined the walkway, about four feet tall, coming in blues, pinks, purples, and whites. Foxgloves bloomed in tall spears as their little trumpet blossoms opened gradually down the stem. Other flowers on the ground included nightshades, hogweed, oleander, trumpet flowers, and other exotic toxins that I had never seen before. Hung around the edges were pitcher plants, flytraps, and other sticky-looking counterparts, though I was less familiar with cannibalistic flora.
We explored together for a while. Neither of us kept track of the time. This was like my little paradise away from the social hell that awaited outside the doors. Lots of pointing, searching for plaques as we guessed their binomial nomenclature, and stealing a cutting or two while he kept a lookout. I removed my gloves to save them from any smudges of dirt as I collected.
“Do you know how to propagate these? Some I don’t think I have seen before.” I cupped the little sprigs of plants in my hand like they were gold. We were both seated on the bench before one of the man-made ponds.
“I may have a paper or two. I could send some through the post as long as you can send them back.” He grinned.
His demeanor was so warm and calming in a sense. It should be familiar to me, the air of a gentleman. I spent too much time around roaches.
“Do I have to return them? How cruel,” I joked, placing the clippings in my purse.
“Your hands—” He grabbed my hand suddenly. “I’m sorry. I should have done the cuttings for you—they’re irritating your skin,” he said worriedly, staring at my red fingertips.
I could not tell him that it was because of the dozen plants I had just processed, but his concern admittedly made me blush. Was I becoming bashful? Around a man, of all things?
“No need to fuss over it. They’re just sensitive,” I assured him, slipping my hand from his, my skin already missing the tenderness. “I... I should be getting back,” I said quickly.
“Of course. I am sure you are quite busy.” Viktor smiled. “Don’t wait for me. I may stay in here for a while. Social gatherings aren’t my forte.”
He really did understand.
I nodded. “Well, I appreciated the company genuinely.”
“Anytime. I mean it.” He winked.
With that, I departed, leaving him alone in the beautiful mirage along with those heavy feelings.
As I advanced through the buzzing crowd, my eyes stayed focused on the plants along the footpath. I crouched down and slid a blade from my sleeve, using it to carve away some more of the stems to propagate later. It felt like I was stealing jewels from a museum, but I doubted anyone would mind.
Standing again and admiring my new specimens, I tucked them into my clutch andsurveyed the crowd.
There was one slightly frantic figure in the middle. It took me a minute to process who it was.
The Creature’s head whipped in my direction, his expression angry, like I had been hiding from him purposefully. He was storming directly toward me.
Alarms blared in my head, and I quickly moved through the crowd to escape the main gathering area. People bumped into me, diverting my route as I slipped through the bodies.
“Move!” I hissed.
Off to the far side of the greenhouse, there was a door with aNo Patronssign on it.
The door was almost latched shut behind me when it was shoved back open, only slamming shut when the predator entered behind me.
“Where do you think you’re going?” He flipped the lock on the door.
“Your conclusion is as good as mine.” I stood my ground.
We had stumbled into a nursery. The room was small and made of old, foggy glass. Wooden shelves held a mess of planters containing a diverse selection of seedlings. It was at least quieter than the central area.
My attention wandered to the young plants, and I was tempted to take a few.
“Look at me.” The Creature stepped in front of me. “Let’s not get distracted so early.” His smile was nothing but sarcastic, irritated, even.
“What is it now? Can’t I just have one night to myself?”
“I let you have a few nights to yourself.” He stepped forward.
I stood firm in place. I would not let him intimidate me.
