The Florist

by Ezra Dawn

  “You’re too much.” How many people have said those words to me, I wonder? Far too many to count. Whether it’s my animal half or my job. I’m too dominant for them when my animal comes out to play and too flamboyant when I talk about my work. There are two sides to me. I’m split like two halves of a coin. To every person I’ve ever had a relationship with, that’s just one side too many. My only wish is that when I meet my fated mate I won’t be ‘too much’ for them. I don’t think I could handle those words from their mouth.

  With my dual nature, it’s hard to find someone who wants to be with me for longer than it takes the cum to dry especially since the animal half is the one who rules. It’s too much of an influence on my personality to suppress. Will my fated mate be able to handle the dominance in me or will I be forced to spend the rest of my life alone?

  Flowers are my passion. I love working with them and my extensive collection brings in clients from all over. By growing most of them myself, I have easy access to a lot of flower types. When I moved to Phantom Creek to open my shop, I bought a ton of land that someone was selling cheap and built my house on it. The greenhouse came soon after and I made sure it was the size I needed for my work. It might seem odd to have a greenhouse the size of a few football fields, but it needed to be that big, so I could split it into climate-controlled sections for all the exotic plants and flowers I have. It’s like a bunch of little greenhouses inside of one larger one.

  My love for flowers started with my grandfather. When I was younger, and he was still alive, I’d spend time at his house while my parents travelled for work. Even though he had enough money to hire gardeners, he never did. Instead, he insisted on doing all the work himself and enlisted my help whenever I was there. Each day was a new lesson in flowers. Whenever we planted a new flower, my grandfather would explain to me what they were, the climates they thrived in, and their meaning in the language of flowers. There were other things he explained too, like soil types that are perfect for planting certain flowers and how often they need to be given plant food.

  It was the best part of my childhood and the only thing I look back on fondly. Shortly after he died, my parents, while loving, focused on their work more than they focused on me and with no place for me to go while they were gone, I was sent to a boarding school where they used corporal punishment. It was more like abuse though; one teacher in particular seemed to take an immediate disliking to me from day one. He was a perfectionist and strived for all his students to be perfect too. So, whenever I got something wrong, or got lower than an A on an assignment, he’d use a ruler on my hands and make me do the assignment over and over, until I got every question right.

  It was the same with tests, and soon, to avoid being beaten, I was studying twice as hard, and striving for perfection. It got to the point, that I avoided going home for holidays in order to study for whatever assignments might come when school started again. Those teachings have carried over into my every-day life. I graduated top of my class from the boarding school and in college. Having a degree in business and botany helped me to open my flower shop but I can’t let go of the need to make sure everything is perfect. I’m pretty sure the only employee I have hates me because of how I micromanage everything and go apeshit when he makes a mistake. I’m trying not to be so quick to anger, but my animal half has been more aggressive when it comes to my domineering personality ever since I entered boarding school.

  I think what was done to me, has affected my animal half in a bad way. It’s probably why I can’t seem to keep a relationship for longer than three months. I’m pretty sure I might need therapy but the thought of talking to some stranger for hours on end about my traumatic experiences when I never even discussed them with my parents, is something I’m not sure I want to do. But, in the end, it might be something I have to do. As I am now, I’m not good for anyone, even the fated mate I haven’t met yet.

  I know my temper can get out of hand, and I’m trying to change that, but it isn’t easy. Being a pterodactyl shifter means my animal half is prone to being violent and aggressive. He influences my personality and it makes me prone to being quick to anger. I’m aware that my animal half is supposed to be extinct, so I have to be extra careful whenever I shift. Having a lot of land helps, but with me being so busy with the shop, I don’t have a lot of time to shift so I’m thinking that also might have something to do with my anger issues.

  Thank goodness for friends. If I didn’t have the guys from the Phantom Creek Mortuary to pull me out of my head and get me to have fun, I’d go insane. However, friendship doesn’t keep me warm at night and lately, I’ve found myself wishing for a mate of my own now that some of my friends are finding theirs. So far, only three of my friends are mated off, and while the mated pairs are outnumbered by us single folk, I can’t help feeling lonelier than ever. Seeing my friends and their mates being all lovey-dovey, has me longing for something similar. I just hope that when I do find my mate, he won’t reject me outright because of my domineering personality.

  As a kelpie prince, there are certain things I’m required to do. Finding a mate is but one of these. A long time ago, my parents the king and queen of Arcadia, gave me an ultimatum. I had until my 100th birthday to find a mate of my own. If I don’t find someone before then, they’ll throw a mating ball where I’ll have to choose a mate on the spot. For years, I have searched in hopes of finding my fated mate but no matter how far I went, I have yet to find that person.

  I’ve travelled to every undersea city in existence, including Atlantis, but have come up empty in my search. Realizing my mate must be someone on land, I began my search anew. For the past fifty years, I have gone from country to country, seeking the one fate designed especially for me. I haven’t found that special someone yet, but the trips weren’t a total loss. Along the way, I discovered a love for flowers. Every time I go somewhere new, I make a point to find the best flower shop around and visit.

  Being a kelpie, I can’t stay away from the water for too long before I need to shift and swim. If I don’t swim often, my skin starts to dry out and flake, and I become dehydrated. If it gets to that point and I don’t find water quickly, I’ll die. It’s the curse of essentially being a water spirit. I’ve only got a few weeks left until my 100th birthday so time is of the essence. I’ll have to speed up my search, only now that I’ve been to every country, I’m not sure where to begin. Well, I do have a flower shop I’m dying to visit. An old traveler I met in Cambodia, recommended it to me. He said that despite it being in a small town, the collection of flowers is extensive and includes all sorts of exotic plants not found locally.

  Just the thought of seeing all those flowers has me excited. Sadly though, my trip to Phantom Creek will have to be postponed until after I meet with my parents. They sent one of their personal messengers after me with the message to return home. So, here I am. Waiting outside the throne room for an audience with my own parents. Thankfully, I’m the youngest so I won’t have to put up with the politics that comes with the throne. My brothers and their children would inherit before I ever would. Unless some kind of catastrophe occurred and they all ended up dying somehow. But, it’s best not to talk like that lest I end up jinxing myself. I like my freedom and refuse to be shackled down by a crown of fancy jewels.

  Despite my being the youngest and a long ways away from ever inheriting the throne, my parents want to make sure I’m mated off, with a couple of heirs in the future to secure my position should something happen to my brothers. I swear, they’re paranoid but making sure their children are mated and happy is their way of showing love. Not that they aren’t loving, because they are. I just wish they weren’t so overbearing sometimes and would give us all the freedom to do what we want. That’ll never happen though.
I’ve been given the same ultimatum as my brothers. They were lucky to find their fated mates well before their 100th birthday, but I’ve yet to succeed. If fate chooses not to give me a mate before my birthday in a few weeks, I fear what will happen to me if I’m forced to choose someone I don’t love.

  Honestly, I’d rather die than be subjected to a bond mating where neither partner is physically incapable of cheating. Sigh, best not to dwell on it right now. After this meeting with my parents, I’ll go to Phantom Creek as a last ditch effort to find my fated mate. If I return empty handed, I’ll attend the mating ball and choose someone according to my parents wishes. I won’t be happy about it, but I’ll do it.

  The large gold inlay, ornate doors open and one of the vassals announces me to my parents. Stepping through the doorway, I tug at my collar as I walk down the red carpet towards my parents. I’ve always hated having to dress in these monkey suits when visiting the throne room but it’s all part of royal etiquette and I can’t get out of it. If I showed up wearing tight jeans, a mesh top, and make-up, I’m sure the courtesans would faint upon seeing me.

  Kneeling, I greet my parents in the formal way before standing and hugging them both. “Mother, Father, you wanted to see me?”

  My mother pats the chair next to hers one of the vassals likely brought out for me and says, “Have a seat honey, we have something we need to discuss with you.”

  Damn, that’s never a good sign. The last time they needed to discuss something with me, I was a teenager fearing they’d be getting a divorce when they were actually issuing the mate ultimatum. If history is an example, then I’m sure this discussion will be about my birthday. Taking the offered seat, I dust nonexistent lint off my jacket before turning to face her.

  “I’m listening. What is it you wanted to discuss?”

  My mother says, “As you know, your 100th birthday is coming up and you have yet to find a mate.”

  “I am aware.”

  My father says, “We have organized a birthday party for you that will double as a mating ball if you don’t find a mate before that time.”

  My mother adds, “However, if you do find a mate, then the mating side of the party will be cancelled, and it will only be a celebration of your 100th year.”

  “So, you’re saying I only have a few weeks left to find a mate?”

  They nod. “Yes, that’s what we’re saying.”

  “Can’t you give me more time?”

  My father shakes his head and says, “No. We gave your brothers the same choices we’re giving you. They found mates before the time limit. It’s your turn now.”

  Standing, I give them a bow and say, “Then, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll take my leave now and return to the surface. My mate isn’t an ocean dweller and since I have but a short period of time left, I wish to continue my search as soon as possible.”

  My father nods and says, “As you wish.”

  My mother says, “Come visit us more often honey! We don’t like having to send messengers just to get you to come see us.”

  Smiling, I give her a wink and say, “Of course, mother. I’ll see you for the party.”

  With that, I turn on my heel and exit the throne room. Once outside, I stroll through the halls until I reach the exit. Grabbing the waterproof bag, I left by the door, I strip out of the monkey suit, shove it inside the bag, and shift into my kelpie form. Thank the gods for magical abilities otherwise the castle would be flooded every time someone went outside for a swim.

  Gripping the bag between my teeth, I swim out and make my way towards the surface. I’ll have to book a plane ticket for someplace close to Phantom Creek. From there I suppose I’ll rent a car or something and drive into town. Hopefully, they have some sort of hotel, otherwise I’ll be sleeping in the car. It’s not something I want to do but I will if I have to. I’m trying not to dwell on the fact that I have a few short weeks to find my fated mate. The task is daunting and fate willing, will be easily fulfilled. But, you know what they say, nothing worth having is ever easy. A man can’t help but hope though.

  I really need anger management. If I don’t get my temper under control, my employees are going to quit. After nearly strangling Mik twice for his mistakes in flower arranging, I had to retreat to my office, so I could avoid killing the man. Laying my head on the desk I close my eyes and try to calm down. Damn animal half enjoys getting the best of me. Maybe I should close the shop and take a vacation. A remote island getaway might do me some good. Especially, if it’s an uninhabited island and I can let my pterodactyl out to play.

  I’m pretty sure part of the reason for my temper is because I don’t shift that often. Once a month is usually all I get. Hearing the bell over the main door, I listen for Mik to greet the customer. When he doesn’t do it immediately, I sigh and stand. Opening the office door, I go to yell at Mik for his seemingly incompetent nature when my gaze lands on the beautiful man at the counter.

  He’s wearing a skin-tight, blue-grey tank top that brings out the color of his eyes. His black jeans look painted on and his smile lights up the room but what draws my gaze the most, is his gorgeous aquamarine hair that most likely comes from a bottle. My fingers literally twitch with the urge to run them through the light blue strands.

  Honing in on the conversation, I hear the blue haired man say excitedly, “Where do you get your flowers from? I’ve never seen such an exotic array in one place before.”

  The man is practically leaning over the counter in Mik’s face as he speaks.

  Mik clears his throat and says nervously, “Um…the shop owner grows them.”

  Blue’s eyes widen….did I seriously just give a total stranger a nickname? “Really? All of them? Grown locally?”

  Mik nods. “Yes.”

  “Where? Can you show me?”

  His excitement is infectious, and it brings a smile to my face.

  Deciding to put Mik out of his misery, I step out of the office and say, “He can’t but I can.”

  Blue turns towards me and grins. “Really? You’re not just yanking my chain, are you?”

  I shake my head. “Nope. I’m happy to show off my flowers. Especially, to someone who seems to love them as much as I do.”

  Suddenly, a weight hits my chest as Blue launches himself at me, wrapping me in a hug. “Thank you so much!”

  I open my mouth to reply but am struck silent by the scent invading my nose. It’s like a fresh saltwater breeze after a hurricane combined with endless sunshine. If you can even call sunshine a scent. Wrapping my arms around the smaller man, I pull him closer and bury my nose in his neck. Basking in his scent, I take a moment to mentally celebrate the finding of my mate.

  After a few more minutes of sniffing, I take a slight step back, so I can look into my mate’s eyes. They’re aquamarine, just like his hair and filled with awe. His hand comes up to rest on my cheek and he says, “I’d almost given up hope on ever finding you.”

  “As did I.”

  “Tell me your name?”

  “It’s Zephyr. Yours?”

  “Finn.”

  Grinning, I say, “It’s fitting, but I like Blue better.”

  He raises an eyebrow at me. “Blue?”

  Trying to fight the blush that stains my cheeks, I look away and say, “I might’ve dubbed you as Blue in my head the moment I saw you.”

  “Then you can continue to call me Blue if you want as long as I get to give you a pet name.”

  Laughing at his smug expression, I say, “You can give me whatever pet name you choose. As long as it isn’t Bae.”

  “How about honey?”

  “I like it.”

  With a grin, Finn says, “Well then, honey, why don’t we go somewhere and chat for a bit? I’m sure we have some getting to know you stuff to get out of the way before we claim each other. Don’t you agree?”

  Nodding, I say, “It’s almost lunch time. We can grab something at one of the cafés nearby.”


  Finn loops his arm through mine and says, “Lead the way.”

  Turning to Mik, who seems to have made himself scarce and is watering some of the flowers on the other side of the shop, I say, “Hey Mik. I’m going out for lunch. Hold down the fort until I get back, and please, try not to screw anything up.”

  He gives me a two-fingered salute and returns to watering the flowers. Placing a hand over Finn’s on my arm, I lead him out of the shop, doing my best not to let my insecurities ruin my newfound good mood.

  I found my mate. Holy shit, I can’t believe it. I’d hoped but with my birthday so close I honestly never thought I’d find him. Zephyr is beautiful in a rugged GQ model way. His brown hair has forest green streaks in it that make me wonder who his hair stylist is because they aren’t overly noticeable until you’re standing close to him. He’s taller than me by a good five inches but I don’t mind it. I’ve always loved having a partner be taller than me.

  He’s wearing a red and black flannel shirt over a black t-shirt, with acid wash blue jeans and biker boots. It’s sexy but not as much as his scent. Zephyr’s scent is a mixture of what the air smells like after it rains, panther lilies, and chocolate cake. It’s the perfect blend of all my favorite things and I can’t wait to find a bed, so I can bask in it for a few hours while we claim each other. But first, we need to get to know each other a little bit. While I’m all for jumping in to bed right away, I’d like to at least know some things about my mate before we go further. Things like, his favorite color, or which flower he loves the most.

  I’m looking forward to getting to know him and learning what type of animal he is. His animal scent tells me it’s something reptilian, but I’ve never encountered it before and I’ve met a lot of reptile shifters over the years. Hopefully, he’ll show me sometime soon. Hmm…I wonder if he has a pool. If not, I’ll have to make sure one is installed because once we’re mated, I’ll be living with him. While I know with the help of my magical abilities he’d be able to survive under water, I refuse to take him away from what he loves. It’s obvious he loves flowers, probably way more than I do, and giving up a life under the water is easy compared to making him unhappy. Damn…it sounds like I’m half in love with him already and we just met! Guess fate really knows what she’s doing.