Page 66 of Touched By Moonlight
Chapter 19
As much asI enjoyed my hunky chaperones, on Sunday morning after breakfast, I decided to explore by myself. I was presented with the perfect opportunity while Stephan and Grayson were preoccupied with a closed door meeting in Grayson’s study. Nicolas was nowhere to beseen.
It had been far too long since I’d indulged my Fae self in a stroll in a meadow. For months, city air had clogged mylungs.
The open meadow beyond the botanical gardens was dotted with clusters of houses Grayson had told me they built for the pack’s mated couples. A well-trod pathway led to the forest. Halfway there was a bricked enclosure that caught my eye. The wall was only six feet high, and I saw flowering trees encased by it. It seemed a large enclosure as well, perhaps one quarter of anacre.
A delicate scent of roses and jasmine coaxed furtherexploration.
The simple wood gate barred my way. I pushed the gateinward.
My jaw dropped in marvelingwonder.
It was agarden.
Vines bursting with yellow and white flowers grew over the brick walls. Rose bushes and ferns grew in raised beds along the wall, and shy purple petunias with yellow centers flourished in another raised bed near a small copse of trees. The grass here was once green and well-tended, but it was dry like the rest of the grass on the grounds. There was even a small bricked area with a blue and yellow bistro table perfect for taking afternoon tea, or morning coffee. With the spectacular view of the nearby mountains and the sharp blue sky, it was perfect. Butterflies flitted amongst the flowers and bees buzzed through theair.
Still, plants withered on the vines, and the red and yellow roses along the back beds were sadly neglected. There had been a drought, I recalled. Clearly the plants needed water andattention.
At first I hesitated. Using my magick might send up a flare the Fionn would notice. But Grayson had assured me the perimeters were strong, and no trace energy left hisland.
Focusing, I released a tendril of healing energy. Delight soared through me as the drooping roses burst into life, the petals silky and the leaves changing from dry brown to vibrant green. It had been a long time since I’d used Fae magick to healplants.
Five seedlings in plastic pots waited to be planted. I noticed a white garden shed with windows in the corner. Soon I was happily digging out weeds and pruning theroses.
I worked alone for a while, my spirit connecting to the earth. I needed this, needed it more than I realized. It had been too long since I’d indulged my Fae needs of working outdoors and cajoling living things to grow. The dank smell of dirt and the cool breeze in my hair added to mydelight.
For the first time in months, maybe even the years since I’d fled my home in Oregon, I felt truly happy andsettled.
I could really like it here. Best I never let anyone know, or my three boys would convince me tostay.
Staying would endanger everyone here in thepack.
Sensing someone watching me, I glanced up. Nicolas squatted on top of the wall, perfectly balanced. Silent as his wolf, he looked down at me as a beast surveys a predator. Delicious heat curled through me as I recalled our lovemaking in theriver.
Gesturing with the trowel, I invited him down. He made as if to jump, and the garden door opened. Nick put a finger to his lips, smiled and climbed down into a clump ofbushes.
A little girl walked into the garden, dragging a battered blue bunny with one ear missing. She couldn’t have been more than seven or eight. Dressed in a lemon yellow shirt and bright pink pants, she wore sneakers with flashinglights.
“Hi.” I dusted off my hands. “I’m Sienna. Who areyou?”
“Carmen.” She gazed around the garden as she hugged her stuffed animal. “Have you seen Nick? We were playing hide andseek.”
Biting back a smile, I glanced at the wall. “Perhaps.”
She frowned. “I like playing with Nick, but he alwayswins.”
I pointed to her shoes. “Maybe you should try hiding withoutthose.”
“Oh! But I like my sneakers. Grayson bought them for me last week because mommy and daddy had to go to Denver for theconference.”
“Werewolf conference?” I’d never heard of anything like that, but then again, I seldom traveled in shiftercircles.
“The witch’s council. They have to go once a year to meet with my grandparents.” Carmen’s lower lips jutted out. “My grandparents don’t likeme.”
“You’re seem like a nice child. I’m sure your grandparents do love you. Maybe it’s because you’re faraway.”
“They don’t want me anywhere close to them. That’s why we had to come live here. I have no power. Not like their other grandchildren. I’m afreak.”
