Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 117336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 587(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 587(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
Nothing's looking down from above. Nothing at all.
The next morning, after a pleasant breakfast with my consort—the word “mate” springs into my head every time, and every time I push it away—the men return with their treasures.
At least, I suspect I'm supposed to view them as treasures. I watch, skeptical, as one man displays bag after bag to me. "Name brands," he reassures me. "Expensive ones. She'll like the purses, especially the ones with the symbols on them. Women used to go crazy for these." He gestures at one beige-looking satchel in particular, but I do not see the appeal.
The next man has jewelry of all kinds, pouring them onto the table in front of me and grinning triumphantly. But all I can think of is that when I gave her jewels, Melina was not impressed. She wears them sometimes when she has a meal with me, but never anything on her hands. I picture her, wringing out rags and placing them on the sick man's chest. No, she would not like things that get in the way of her work. I pick up one sparkling ring and then discard it.
The third man has dresses and bizarre shoes made of nothing but straps and a spike on the back of the heel. My irritation seethes under my skin, because it is not going to win her to my side if I give her more dresses. She already has a closetful of them. Did none of these men listen to me? Did they not understand?
When the fourth one approaches and sets a plant down in front of me, I snap. "A plant? A fucking plant? I'm supposed to give my consort a fucking plant to show her my affection?"
The man flinches. "I-it's a rose bush, sir. Actually, a miniature rose bush."
I drum my fingers on the table. "You say those things like I'm supposed to know what they mean."
"Rose bush," the soldier stammers again. "I used to work at a nursery in the Before. Was my first job, so I kinda knew how to transplant it."
I drum my fingers again. "And?"
"And roses are, you know, traditional gifts to a woman you're courting." He sweats, clearly uncomfortable. "There aren't many green plants here in the fort. Too much stuff to catch on fire, you know? Other than the gardens, I guess. But no one grows flowers anymore just because they're beautiful. I thought she might like something she could tend to and watch it bloom. This one is small enough that it'll probably do well in the pot, and I got some fertilizer…" He trails off and swallows hard, before finally adding, "Women like roses."
I gaze at the scraggly plant thoughtfully. It looks…green. I suppose that's something. I know nothing about plants personally, other than the humans here like to eat them to supplement their diet. "It's not food?"
"It's a rose bush," he says again. "When it blooms it'll be full of bright, beautiful flowers that are just for looking at. Like I said, women like flowers, and they like roses best of all."
Hmmm. It's something different, at least. I try to imagine how Melina will react to receiving a plant, but I cannot picture it. He speaks as if he knows, though. I turn to the man next to him. "You. Is what he says true? Do females like roses?" When he gives a jerky nod, I turn back to the soldier with the rose bush in his hands, a new sense of appreciation in my gaze. "What is your name?"
"Daniels, sir," he says, breathless. "Lucas Daniels. I'm honored to serve in your militia. I want to make Fort Dallas a better place, just like you."
Then he is a fool. But a useful one. I rub my chin, studying the rose bush. "How do we make it bloom with the flowers?" I lean forward, eyeing the plant. "And are those thorns?"
He nods. "Yes. Thorns. Most roses are thorny." Daniels then launches into a rambling description of leaves and sunlight and watering. I listen with only half an ear, eyeing the plant. It is something different, at least. Something she cannot get here in this ugly, barren, stinking fort. Perhaps she will like it after all.
When Daniels pauses for breath, I offer him a smile, remembering Melina's words about being kind to those that serve me. "You have done well today. Ask for a favor and I shall grant it."
His face lights up with pleasure. "I am just pleased to serve, Lord Azar."
Well, that was easy.
Chapter
Ten
MELINA
After a long, quiet day at the clinic, I'm glad to return to Azar's barracks home, which is weird. It's been a boring day, with no one coming by, so I took some of my water and lit a fire in the woodstove in the corner of the clinic and sterilized all my equipment. It was hot as hell, but it's always hot as hell in Texas in the summer. No dragon attacks, though. No dragons at all except for the placid, tamed ones on the wall, and I start to wonder if we really are safe now.