“Can we step away?” I breathed. The weight of my decision descended upon my chest. “Just for a moment. I just need a moment.”
“The jewel of the Hive can have anything she wants.” He gave me a playful wink. “Come with me.”
Chapter 16
The Moon Garden
Rhazien expertly avoided any new conversations as we made our escape from the ballroom. He swiftly ushered me down a hallway, through a set of double doors, and into the awaiting night.
I was greeted by a brisk wind and gasped at the sight of a thriving and beautiful garden atop the mountainous towers of the Hive.
“Stunning, isn’t it?” Rhazien followed through the door and placed his hand on the small of my back.
The more I looked, the more the garden revealed. Perfectly shaped hedges lined a pristine gravel walkway. Torches illuminated the twists and turns of the path but didn’t distract from the stunning flora which glowed under the waning gibbous moon.
“Is that...monkshood?” I was drawn to the poisonous, violet blooms. I’d only read about the flower and didn’t think it was possible to grow in the temperate climate of the Irriset Mountains.
“Good eye.” Rhazien offered me his arm and gestured toward the walkway.
He made small talk about the history of the garden while he led me down the manicured path. Decorative stone walls were laced with thriving greenery. With each turn, the hedges rose higher, giving us plenty of privacy.
We strolled until we reached a clearing in the garden. The rectangular opening was lined with benches in front of stone planters, each plot hometo a different brilliant flower. And at its center, lived a small, beautiful fountain spouting a modest, calming babble. Its water trickled into a shallow pool filled with out of season lily pads.
Beyond the fountain was a rounded balcony overlooking the dark expanse of Atoris that stretched for miles before us.
Rhazien’s body behind mine shielded me from the cold. His hands rested on my shoulders as he said, “This is my favorite place.”
“I can see why,” I said, appreciating the fresh air, quiet, and privacy.
When I grew up hearing tales of the Hive and its horrors, I didn’t expect to one day be escorted by vampire royalty through his private garden. The blooms leaned in my direction, vying to steal my attention from the dark, vast landscape. I made a note to return during the day. The view faced the south and maybe, just maybe, I could even see Illica from here.
I thought of my past home with Hollis. Of my prickly sister and my secret daughter.
Cova wasn’t aware of the danger she’d escaped when I’d chosen the Hive. That Dommik had threatened to take her, or Lydia instead. A selfish part of me wanted her to know it wasn’t just a sacrifice for our family reputation. Now understanding the needs of the Hive, it was better that I was sitting wrapped up in Rhazien’s arms than my sister. Or young Lydia.
Imagining either of them as a vampire queen was even less believable than the future I was beginning to envision for myself. While I was warming to the idea, I still mourned my life back in Illica, and the unsaid things between me, Beau, Cova, and Lydia weighed on me like the Irriset’s boulders.
“Reyva.” Rhazien turned me to face him, his hands moving to cradle my face. The pad of his thumb wiped away a tear. “What is it?”
“I miss my garden,” I lied.
Rhazien’s dark brows furrowed. Slowly, he interlaced his fingers with mine and coaxed, “Tell me about it.”
I scoffed through an embarrassed smile. “You don’t want to hear about it?—”
“Yes.” He guided me to a nearby bench. “I do. Please tell me.”
It was a welcome distraction from my prior thoughts. The details flowed from me. How I kept rosemary by the garden gate. How no matter what I tried, rabbits always found their way into my vegetables. How my mother taught me everything I knew, and so much of my time getting too much sun or getting dirt under my fingernails made me feel closest to her.
Reminiscing on my prior life made my heart ache for a place that was never really my home. He listened intently to every word until I ran out of them and I was surprised how much I shared.
Rhazien held my hands the entire time, rubbing the back of my thumbs with his. And when I was finally quiet, he lifted them to his lips and placed a gentle kiss before saying, “I will build you a new garden, Reyva. If it would make you happy here. I will build it for you.”
“Thank you, but you don’t?—”
“I know I don’t have to,” he interjected, eyes filled with sincerity. “I’m the ruling regent. I don’thaveto do anything, but Iwantto. For you.”
It was more than Hollis had ever offered. The garden at my late husband’s estate had already been established when it became my new residence, but I’d learned at a young age that everything comes with a price. A gift is never just a gift.
