Page 44 of Myths and Manuscripts
Her expression was pained as she ran a hand over her face, all excitement for the story obviously gone. Her notes had felt so full of life, and I hated telling her that they weren’t good enough, but they just weren’t me. At least, that’s what I wanted to keep saying, but a small part of me had felt happy when she’d said that I was meant for more.
Knowing that she thought I was a good man deep down made me want to try, even just a little bit, if it meant seeing that excitement in her eyes again. I secretly enjoyed the way her notes had portrayed me, so full of confidence and strength, able to protect anyone who mattered to me. But the only person I really wanted to protect right now was Willow.
“I’m willing to give your ideas a shot.”
Her eyes widened. “Really? You’re not just saying that to make me happy, right? This is your story, so you’re the one who needs to feel good about it.”
Every moment we spent together felt good, like I could be anyone I wanted to be instead of the joke of a villain from before. She never expected me to play a role. She just wanted me to be me and she would craft the story around that. It was the nicestthing anyone had ever done for me, and it made me want to return the favor.
“Let’s go somewhere,” I said suddenly. “Anywhere you want, and you can tell me more about this morally gray hero idea of yours.”
“That sounds great!” She lunged forward, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug. When she pulled back, she was grinning from ear to ear. “You’re going to make an awesome anti-hero, I promise.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I stood and offered my hand to her. “Where would you like to go? Back into town, to the apothecary gardens, or maybe somewhere entirely new?”
“Hmmm...I think best when my hands are busy, so I’d love to plant a garden or something outside.”
My lips pulled into a grin. “I thought you might want that. There’s a giant garden that the apothecaries of this world use that’s overflowing with magic. Apparently, the plants glow with demonic energy and it’s a beautiful sight. I bet we can even find a small section where you can garden to your heart’s content while you’re here.”
Her eyes lit up as she slid her hand into mine so I could pull her up off the couch. “Let’s get going then!”
She tugged me through the halls of the castle even though she had no idea where we were going. I was glad I’d taken the time to ask about nearby gardens before I’d returned to the castle. Seeing her so full of joy at such a simple thing made my heart soar.
I’d never have thought I could be anything but the villain before, but being around Willow made me want to explore my options and really let myself live for once. Maybe I’d be surprised.
Chapter 18
Willow
Visiting a garden was exactly what I needed after a long day of outlining, like a reward for finally coming up with a good idea for the Demon Lord’s book. Too bad he was walking at a snail’s pace, so we still hadn’t left the castle. I turned back to chastise him, but he looked deep in thought as he stared at a wall.
“The cracks are gone,” he said softly, running his hands along the walls that used to be full of cracks and fuzzy spots. They were solid and smooth now, with bright sconces and tapestries lining them.
“It feels warmer in here too. Think it’s because of Misty?”
“I don’t know.” He leaned closer to the wall, as if he was completely entranced. “The castle didn’t start changing until you came here.”
“Wait, you think I’m changing it somehow?” I bit my lip, not really sure how to answer that. “Well, I mean, I do like the library you have now. But the only kind of magic I have is storytelling, so I think it’s probably something else.”
“Maybe...” After a few more silent moments, he snapped out of it, turning toward me with a smile. “Sorry. Let’s get going before it’s dark out. There’s no point staring at a wall.”
Except it was a wall that had changed completely since the first time I saw it. Whether it was Misty’s magic or somethingelse, hopefully his home would keep getting nicer so it wouldn’t be so sad picturing him here all alone once I went back to the real world. He deserved a cozy place to call his own, just like everyone else.
The air was cool as we stepped outside, and the sun was already on its way back to the horizon. We’d only have a few hours before it was dark, so I quickened my pace. If these gardens were as cool as he’d described, I definitely wanted to see them. Gran would want to know every single detail.
The Demon Lord led me away from the city to the edge of the forest behind his castle where a sprawling garden laid before us. Magic hung in the air like moisture on a humid day, clinging to my skin and tingling down my throat as I breathed it in. It was a rush, my head spinning from the amount of magic pulsing in the air.
“Whoa.” I reached my hand out to steady myself against a tree. “That’s some intense magic.” I waved my hand at him before he could fret too much. “I’m fine. Just needed a moment to adjust. Let’s head inside.”
His gaze roved over me, as if trying to decide if I was telling the truth or not. I gnawed my lip and pushed past him as the magic settled against my skin, invigorating me. If just being in the garden felt this powerful, I could only imagine what making medicine with these plants would do. He hadn’t been kidding, they were literally steeped in magic, glowing with a faint purple light that I’d come to identify with demon magic. It was beautiful. So many plants filled to the brim with magic, and I didn’t even recognize half of them.
Excitement rushed through me. This was like when I’d first started helping Gran and everything was a new and wonderful discovery. From giant flowers that towered over me to delicate herbs swaying in the wind, it was all so bright and full of life. I wanted to learn every plant in this garden and figure out howthey could help people and how to tend to them properly. That was my job as an apothecary, keeping the plants and people around me healthy.
The sweet scent of the flowers mixed with the brightness of the herbs and the earthy scent of fresh soil being tilled. I closed my eyes, breathing it in. Even though we were inside a book, literally standing in a demon’s garden, I felt so very much at home. I wouldn’t be surprised if Gran called out asking if I wanted some tea or if the bell above our shop door chimed, welcoming in a new customer. This was where I belonged, with my feet in the dirt and my hands full of plants.
“I missed that look.” The Demon Lord’s voice was low and closer than I’d expected.
I opened my eyes to find him smiling at me as if he was watching a flower bloom or a mossmew play in the lavender pots. Heat rose to my cheeks, and I turned away from him. It felt like he’d changed in some crucial way while he was gone. He was more open and comfortable now, like he wasn’t trying to pretend anymore.
