Kane leaned over and kissed me. "Not at all. We can make it ours. Pay no mind to Roman. He needs to mind his tongue lest he wants to lose it.” He eyed the merchant and spoke up. "Make sure that anything she wants, she has, and it is delivered to the castle."
"Apologies, of course." The stoutly gentleman bowed then turned back to his station, smiling widely.
"Thank you." I wasn't sure if that was the appropriate response, but I hoped it was enough. Unsure why Kane hadn’t scolded me for being so bold in my reply to the merchant, let alone why the shopkeeper was smiling so much, I resolved to not asking either question and just went about looking around the shop.
Chapter
Seven
Protection
After Kane gave me instructions to do as I wish with shopping and even decorating, I tested the waters with something that had captured me across the room. I walked over a few steps and pointed at a painting on the wall, "Kane? Can we have this hung in our room or somewhere in the castle I would frequent? I really love it."
Stepping up next to me, he examined the piece of art. A smile grew on his lips as he nodded. "Yes. I don't see why not. Why does it strike you?"
I tilted my head at the painting. The brush strokes making waves in the water and bends in the branches that all blended so well with the starry, nighttime sky. It made me feel something. I had seen thousands of paintings, sure. But this was almost an impressionist style of the northern, Naelyrian landscape. So, it’s overall feel was different. And something about the location it depicted caught me, pulling me in.
"It doesn't really remind me of home. The trees and the water are different. But something feels welcoming and familiar.... like you." I turned to him and smiled, putting my hand on his arm. "If it's a real place, I'd love to see it one day if possible."
He stood there looking at it, a heaviness clouding his vision. "I can take you to the location, but this painting? It is very old. And those lands have been ravaged. I can not say it will look as it does here.”
“Then it holds the memories of that place. I would like it for home, please." My attention was on it fully, taking in the swirls and blends of the colors. “You know of it though?”
His voice was low. “I do. Very well. I played there as a child.”
My breath caught. “When you were human?”
“Yes.” He looked like he was a million miles away in thought.
“Should we…”
He stopped me, motioning to Raman. “Have this carefully sent and hung in our chambers over the fireplace.”
“Right away.” Roman removed it from the wall and started to wrap the painting.
"Thank you,” My words came out in a breath.
“You are more than welcome.” He placed a hand on my lower back, working our way to the door in silence until we reached the sidewalk. “We have other places to go. Are you ready?”
I waved my hand, trying to brush away my tug to the landscape in the painting and its connection to him. "No. Yes. Sorry. Just thinking. May I come back another time?"
"Of course.” He offered me his hand. “Then let us take our leave.”
"Where to, Kane? What's next?" The brisk air was affecting me less and less as we went, shadowed by my excitement.
"Well, you might be interested in this little place I understand many rather enjoy for entertainment." He tipped his chin to a many in full armor, stationed in front of a rather ornate door.
For a moment, I couldn’t peel my eyes from the passageway that was being guarded, but he patted my hand and tugged me along. People continued to part for us as Kane and I walk through the streets. Many watching us long after we’d passed.
A couple blocks up the road, I stopped. “Can we?” I made my way over to a door. “Plants? Can we look?”
He chuckled. “Go. Do not let me stop you if it is something that has your interest.”
I walked into the little shop, instantly warmed by the change in temperature as the door opened. Various plants of all shapes and sizes adorned racks, shelves, sat in every corner and hung from the ceilings and walls. Many different shades of greens, reds and blues, their shapes reminding me of succulents from my world. Others more like ivy or climbing vines, draping leaves, entwining stalks. And still, others were adorned in blooms of such a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. They were all so beautiful.
I sucked in a breath. “They’re amazing!” As I made my way around the room, I found it difficult not to reach out and touch every one of them. "Oh! Can we? Can we hang and set plants throughout the castle? I don’t recall seeing any since I arrived. Is there a horticulturist I can work with? I can have someone make sure I'm picking the right kind of plants for their pots and the rooms for light and such. And then they can make sure it's done right. Can we?"
Kane elevated his nose like I spoke a word he didn’t know and tried to pronounce it. "Hornticulti-what now? Hornitculturtlalist?" His tongue tied. "Well, I have never heard that word, but I think we could find a gardener for you. If that is something you want."
Practically bouncing as I walked, I made my way back to him. “That’s what I meant. Sorry. A gardener. Horticulturist is someone that specializes in plant life on Earth. They’re a more studied gardener.”
“Yes, I will give that to
