Galen closes the gap between us, his hands cradling my head and his forehead touching mine, the memory seeming to flow right from him into me.
I’m on my knees with my fingers digging into the soil when I hear footsteps behind me. For now, the space looks barren, but after some tending, I know that these gardens are going to flourish. It isn’t necessary, but I want to grow these the old-fashioned way, with my own blood, sweat and tears infused in these flowers. Everything around me looks dirty, and not just because I’m in a garden; it feels like I’m looking through a dirty lens.
There is something therapeutic about being able to watch something grow.
“Do you have something you want to say to me?” I call out, not looking at my husband as he approaches.
“Dare I ask what I did this time?”
“It’s very simple—just put the toilet lid down when you’re done. We had the marvel of indoor plumbing well before the mortals. Put it to good use.”
Getting to my feet, I finally look at him, dressed in a beige three-piece suit. His hands are shoved deep in his pockets.
“I’ll try to remember.”
“This is a new look,” I say running my hands along his chest, feeling his finely honed muscles. This hardly counts as a fight, but maybe we can still have makeup sex.
Galen seems to read my mind, because he’s not gentle as he tears my dress away.
“Do you know what a distraction you are? All day, my only thought was when I could get myself between your legs and feel you come around my cock.”
My cheeks warm as my breathing gets deeper. He is not a dirty talker; this is different, and I love it. He kisses me deeply, one hand cupping my ass and pulling me as close to him as I can get without him being inside me.
“Then why are you still dressed?” I ask with a giggle as I pull out of the kiss.
“Propriety, my love. There could be eyes everywhere.” He holds me to him as the bottom drops out of the world and we’re transported to the bedroom in our apartment. Galen is naked this time as he presses me down onto the bed, positioning himself between my legs.
“Was my garden not good enough?” I ask him slyly.
“When it is as lush and full as you, it will be. I will make love to you on a bed of the softest petals you have, but no, I am not interested in cutting your back open on the rocks you’re still clearing from the dirt. Now hush so I can make love to my wife properly.”
It’s the last warning he gives before he pushes inside me to fulfill his promise.
Galen steps away from me, his fingers slowly threading out of my hair, before he turns and leaves me there with this memory.
I need to make it to the end somehow, and hopefully find clarity in that time.
CHAPTER18
When I get back to my room, there’s a note taped to my door. I glance up and down the hall, as if the person who put it there might still be lingering. I open the note and read it.
Meet me in the gardens at 4 PM. Wear your finest.
– E
I check the time and see that it’s already 3:50. I have no time to digest Galen’s side of the story before meeting Essos.
I think about what he means by “wear your finest” and dig through my closet for a gown. I opt for a gauzy blush-colored one and style my hair into a quick fishtail braid. Since my ankles are still bruised and sore, I choose a pair of ballet flats. It’s 3:59, and regardless of whether or not I feel ready, I can’t keep Essos waiting. I do enough of that already.
I run down the stairs, glad to not be in heels, and head to the gardens. I slow my pace so I’m not out of breath, even though it does make me a little late. When I get to the entrance to the hedge maze, Essos is waiting with his back to me, fiddling with his cufflinks. I approach him and tap his shoulder, causing him to spin to face me. The smile on his face makes my heart stop, and I fight to remember what Galen said Essos has done. I cannot match what Galen has told me about Essos with what I have learned about him myself.
“Fashionably late, as ever,” he remarks, offering me his arm.
I thread my arm through his with a smile. “Sorry about that. I was reading in the library and didn’t see your note until I got back ten minutes ago.”
“Not at all. You’re worth the wait every time.”
Giddiness spurs my steps along faster than I expect. Essos keeps pace, his eyes bright with amusement. Pleasure ricochets between us. Essos seems delighted by my excitement, and I find that with each smile or half smirk, I want to make him do it again. I’m sillier than normal, spinning, letting my dress catch around my legs. When I stumble once, Essos is right there, keeping me upright, his blue eyes intense as he looks at me. His chest is flush against mine, and the urge, theneedto kiss him drives me to my toes, but I don’t take it further. I could, if I wanted to do what Zara has done and take the initiative, take what I want, but I think there’s a reason Essos has been so reserved.