Page 30 of Dragon Eternal (Dragon Kings 4)
CHAPTERTWELVE
After the basic structures Shaw had seen on the first four levels of Stonemore, he was unprepared for the detail of the architecture of the elite homes. Though he shouldn’t have been. Whereas the buildings had sat on either side of the winding street on levels one through four, things were far different the moment he stepped foot onto the fifth tier.
The homes were only on the side against the mountain, giving the illusion of more space. While the structures were multi-level, a decent amount of space existed between each estate. They were all made of red sandstone, but they set themselves apart with unique entrances.
Shaw’s gaze was drawn to the pink roses long before he knew it was Nia’s home. A few other estates had large pots of greenery, but no one had anything quite like the climbing roses. At least, not on the fifth or sixth level.
The flowers’ scent was heady, as was their size. He had never seen roses as large as his thigh before. He didn’t get to look at them long before following Nia through the short wooden gate.
Grass might not cover the ground, but he didn’t even realize it because his gaze moved from the different-sized raised planters to the various pots. The path separated, forcing each of them to go around a pedestal where a shallow bowl sat. It was easily six feet wide and housed a plant similar to an aloe vera, though the stalks were a pale, silvery blue. Off to the right were more of the large roses, these in a deep purple shade. On the left were roses of the most beautiful turquoise hue he had ever seen.
As he continued after Nia, they approached the house. Two tall, round, red sandstone pots that came about even with his waist flanked the steps to the portico. In each was a variety of plants. Tall, ornamental grass rested in the center with other plants with different-colored flowers that trailed down the planters’ sides surrounding it.
He looked up at her home and nodded at the magnificent arches that made up the porch. The same curve had been used for the paneled wooden door. Despite the size, it moved easily and quietly when Nia opened it.
The smell of roses followed him inside. There were vases of different-colored blooms set about the house. Some arrangements were a single color, while others had been mixed, creating a beautiful design. Then he caught sight of the floor. The builders had smoothed and leveled the mountain to create it. It would have been pretty on its own, but the crafters had carved designs into certain sections, like at the entrance.
The walls were made of sandstone carved and cut into rectangles. The simplicity of it worked because of the extra attention to detail around the windows and doorways. They weren’t plain windows. Each had a design similar to those on the floor. In addition, the same dark wood as the front door had been used to outline each window with more artwork carved into the surfaces.
Shaw’s gaze clashed with Nia’s as she stood, watching him. “Well?” she asked.
Was it his imagination, or did she seem anxious about what he thought? Shaw grinned at her. “I love what I’ve seen so far.”
“There are two more floors above us, but let me take you to one of my favorite spots first,” she said excitedly.
Without a doubt, she loved her home. Nia’s estate wasn’t the largest, but it wasn’t tiny, either. Still, it ran on the narrow side, using the floors above to allow more room. He was curious to explore each. He followed her through the back of the house, noting that all the doorways were arches.
She led him through an opened doorway and back outside. Even before he stepped out of the house, the smell of roses struck him again. His eyes locked on the raised flowerbeds that butted up to the mountain where roses climbed what looked like a mesh of rope that connected to the house’s top. The flower cover gave not only shade but also privacy, something that was needed so the houses on the seventh level couldn’t see into her estate.
The climbing roses weren’t the only grand thing to see. There were more raised planters with other beautiful flowers, along with a table and four chairs beneath the roses. It created a quiet, tranquil ambiance that Shaw appreciated.
“This suits you,” he told her.
She smiled and gazed up at her roses. “Mountain roses are difficult to grow.”
“How did you do it?”
Her head swung to him. “What makes you think I did?”
“Call it a hunch,” he said with a grin.
She returned it and nodded. “Yes, I grew all of the flowers you see. When I came into possession of this place, it was barren. No plants or greenery at all. It just takes time, the right kind of soil, and water for any plant to thrive.”
“You seem to have a gift.”
“I love everything about plants. They all need something different. Even with the mountain roses, you would think they were the same, but they aren’t. The climbing ones need more care than the others. Really, it’s just listening and learning what the plant needs.”
His brows shot up. “Listening?”
She chuckled and glanced at him. “Believe it or not, plants can communicate. Most people just can’t see it.”
“But you do?”
Honey eyes met his. “Yes.”
“Like I said, lass, you have a gift.”
“I’ve never told anyone that I can see what the plants need.” Her smile was gone, replaced by unease and fear.
He walked to her and touched her arm. “I willna share that with anyone.”
She nodded, but her expression said she didn’t believe him.
