Page 66 of Zinnia and the Zombie
“Just call me Ella. This way.”
The huge guard at the back of the room gave her a suspicious look before stepping aside so that Ella could lead her through a concealed door into what was clearly a private area of the palace. The rooms were still luxurious but much simpler and decorated in soft, soothing colors. She followed Ella out onto a veranda overlooking another garden before the other woman turned and smiled at her.
“What do you think?”
She’d been expecting more of the cold, manicured perfection, but this garden was completely different—plants and flowers tumbled together in a wild profusion like some kind of exotic cottage garden. It was far from perfect—several of the varieties were in desperate need of pruning and there were odd bare patches in the moss—but it appealed to her far more.
“This is wonderful,” she said sincerely.
“Thank you. I enjoy working on it, although I don’t get to spend as much time out here as I’d like.” The mischievous smile reappeared. “Our gardener doesn’t really approve, but he’s resigned to it by now. Would you like me to show you around?”
She nodded eagerly. She quickly discovered that the other woman had an almost encyclopedic knowledge of plants although Ella admitted her choices were based on impulse rather than science.
“My goal is artfully random, although I suspect it’s more random than artful. But I think that makes it easier for Karthajin to relax out here.”
“It must be hard to be an Emperor,” she said sympathetically. The thought of being surrounded by all the rigid formality, the overbearing luxury, and the constant scrutiny horrified her.
“He was brought up in this world so he accepts it, but he also appreciates the chance to escape it for a little while.”
She nodded and bent down over a bush with creamy pink flowers and a subtle scent that reminded her of a gardenia. Was the bush she’d planted outside her bedroom blooming by now, she wondered with a sudden surge of nostalgia.
“Do you miss Earth?” she asked curiously.
“I don’t really remember it. I was taken when I was a child.” Ella shook her head at her horrified gasp. “They were after Faith—I just happened to be there. I ended up with a very kind Kaisarian couple so I grew up here. Kaisar is much more my home than Earth. Do you miss it?”
“A few things—a few people, I suppose—but on the whole no. Jaxx offered to look but I would rather be with him.”
“I suspect it depends on how happy you were on Earth. My friend Deb had a big family and she still misses them.”
“Could she go back?”
Ella shrugged.
“It could have been arranged, but she’s mated to one of Karthajin’s cousins and they have children.”
Her pulse quickened.
“Children? Does that mean?—”
“Mama!” Before she could continue a young boy came marching through the garden towards them. Despite the scowl on his face, he was a miniature replica of Karthajin. Or not so miniature, she realized as he joined them. Even though he was obviously very young, he was almost as tall as Ella already.
“Bethie says they’re leaving already. Make Father tell them to stay.”
“We have this conversation every time, Dar. A good ruler does not give commands simply to satisfy his own desires. Bethie’s parents want to spend time with the rest of their family.”
“She doesn’t have to go with them,” he said pugnaciously and Ella sighed.
“I’m sure she wants to be with her family.” She shook her head when he opened his mouth again. “In case you didn’t notice, I have a guest, Dar. Where are your manners? Zinnia, this is my son, Prince Darthajin.”
The transformation was so fast it was almost comical. The scowling young boy disappeared, replaced by a dignified young prince who bore an even more striking resemblance to the Emperor as he turned to her and bowed.
“Please forgive the interruption, Mistress Zinnia.”
She smiled at him. “That’s all right. I understand you had important matters to discuss with your mother.”
“Indeed.” He couldn’t quite hide his curiosity. “You are human as well, are you not?”
“Indeed,” she echoed, and he gave her a charming smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Prince Darthajin.”
