Page 75 of The Shadows Between Us
I take a fresh sketchbook with me and go in search of the gardens Kallias mentioned his mother maintained while she was alive.
As I round the stables, an arm snakes through mine. I’d think it Hestia or Rhoda if I didn’t feel the distinct muscles hidden beneath a copper-colored jacket.
“Alessandra,” Leandros says, “I thought I saw you disappear outside. You aren’t planning on abandoning us, are you?”
I adjust my grip on my shawl so that I might more easily hold on to the arm of the most narcissistic man in the palace.
“With naught but my sketchbook?” I ask.
“Fair point. What are we to be drawing today? It must have slipped your mind to ask me to model.”
I let out an unladylike snort. “I don’t draw people. I draw designs. For me to then sew.”
“And we’re out in this chill because…”
“Well, I’m here because I thought the gardens might be a lovely place to draw inspiration from. I can’t fathom why you’re here.”
“I saw an opportunity to finally catch you alone. Any other time I try to approach you, Kallias shoots daggers at me with his shadowy glare.”
“I hadn’t noticed,” I admit.
“That’s because you’re so taken with him. But he’s not here now,” he says in a naughty tone. “Tell me, when can I take you away from here again for another night of fun?”
A sad smile rises to my lips. I like Leandros. He’s ridiculous at times, but fun and kind. Not to mention handsome. His manners run a bit short, but he has to be at least a thirteen by Rhoda’s ranking.
But he can’t make me a queen.
I’m about to open my lips, but Leandros turns and places a fingertip against them. “No, don’t say whatever you’re thinking. I can tell I won’t like it. Take some time. Wait for Kallias to do something to upset you. Then come find me with your answer.”
We come to a stop before an iron gate, through which I can see rows and rows of flowers. Leandros halts.
“I’ll leave you to your sketching. But do come find me if you decide you’re in need of a model. Nude or not.” He gives me a wink before striding off.
Such a little devil, but I find a wide grin on my face as I let myself through the gate.
Brick-lined trails wend through patches of flowers. First, I pass by the roses. Each row varies by size and color. Some are all one shade, while others are tipped with pinks and yellows. They’re cared for immaculately, with not a dying bloom among the plants.
Farther along, I see beds of other species. Chrysanthemums and daffodils and tulips, but I don’t go exploring just yet. I stop before one of the rosebushes, the petals a sun-bright yellow. They flare to the most stunning red-orange at the tips, and I can’t help but stare at the individual blossoms. How they remind me of the flickering colors of fire. One flower hasn’t quite yet bloomed. With just a few orange tips peeling away, it looks like an ember slowly extinguishing. Growing smaller, rather than larger, as I know the blossom will do.
A dress takes shape before my eyes. A yellow gown with orange tips about the hem, individual petals pulling away from the skirts. Finding a nearby bench, I seat myself, flip open to an empty page, and move my pen rapidly against the parchment, letting the dress take shape.
“May I join you?” a deep voice asks.
His voice.
I look up, and I can hardly believe that Kallias has entered the garden. He looks so out of place with the black attire he’s chosen for today, with the shadows surrounding his person. They don’t seem to belong in a colorful garden.
Demodocus trots along beside him. But, as some idea gets in thebeast’s head, he takes off like a shot through the garden, jumping over a nearby hedge of flowers and giving out a loudyip.
Probably spotted a rabbit.
I turn back to his master.
May I join you?he’d asked. Such manners. Leandros assumed he would be welcome. And whether Kallias actually has any intention of leaving if I were to tell him so will remain unknown. I can’t ever see myself turning him away.
Not just because I need to win his heart.
But because I like him, and I want him near me.
