TH

ross the sky, waiting for the storm I knew was coming. As I expe

the small conservatory attached to my rooms. It had once been my o

e glass door, an

d from the soil. The delicate, silvery petals were torn

the most advanced calming draughts known t

here and destroy my plants. It was his way of torturing me, of r

hing pain of my past life threatened to surf

ould not grieve

he debt he owed me. A debt I

as the dirt stung the small wound on my fingert

e to pay a visit to the woman who had onc

ss and wore no jewelry. I wanted

sipping tea. The gaudy gemstone rings on

curtsied. "Good

nk I can claim that title. A woman who brings such scandal to her own Mating Ceremony, who embarrasses my son

ace blank, bowing my head lower in a show of defe

useless plants you're so obsessed with? You have your priorities

onpetals. And she was, as alw

ition. "You are right to scold me, Mother. The plants were just a silly hobby. If Bens

seemed to surprise her. The next

sharp eyes trying to

d, my voice soft. "To make amends, I've brought you the 'Godd

Willow Tucker, stepped forward, hold

oveted my skills, hoping I would creat

were several small vials of

oke of? The one that smooths wrinkl

pcoming welcome banquet, I've prepared enough f

n her eyes, but gree

face. She believed I had finally been broken, t

d added a special little

sn't

elcome banquet an event she-and all

eatrice's excited chatter echoing behind me.