"Oh, stop that. We're coming up to a curb."
He slowed down as I started taking tiny steps, feeling in front of me as I set down my foot. On the third step I felt the curb, and carefully stepped up. "What's next?"
"Nothing. The pavement is fairly smooth, and we'll turn left in three feet." Elron guided me around a corner. "And stop. I need to open the door."
I felt Elron bend over as he placed the basket on the floor. There were a few beeps and a click. He picked up the basket, and guided me through a door that must've opened automatically. We walked down a hall that echoed a bit.
"Turning right in two feet." He guided me through the turn, and I heard a door slide open. A blast of warm air hit me.
"Now, can I take off the blindfold?"
"A few more feet. We are going down ten stairs. The first one is a foot and a half in front of you."
I patted around with my toe until I found it. Clinging to his arm, I carefully felt my way down the flight of stairs.
"Your next step will put you on the ground."
Sure enough, my foot landed on pebbles. "You're pretty good at this. Have you had practice?"
"I have had some practice. Friends of mine have had temporary eye injuries, and there are blind elves."
"How do elves get temporary eye injuries?"
"Stand right here for a moment." I could hear him doing something as he answered my question. "They get tossed from a horse, injured during sword or wrestling practice, or mess up a spell."
"Must've been some spell."
"It was. One of my friends was trying to crossbreed magical Sun Flowers and Day Lilies. He wasn't having much luck, so he tried using magic to mix their pollen. The resulting flash of light left him blind for a week. He's fine now, but hasn't resumed his attempts to crossbreed those species again."
I chuckled, magic could be unpredictable.
"Don't be surprised, I'm next to you." He wrapped and arm around my waist and tingles shot up my side. "I want you to sit right here." He maneuvered me until I was in the position he liked, and had me sit on a rock. "Wait a moment." I heard him sit down near me. "Okay, now you can take off the blindfold."
I pulled the blindfold off and was stunned by the beauty around me. The rock I was sitting on was the edge of a pond of Glow Koi Fish. They were frolicking around Tiger Lily pads. The lily pads were striped orange, purple and red.
Hanging over the pond was the magical Night-Sky Bird of Paradise plant. This one was six feet tall and its fan like leaves were blue with white stems running through the center. The flowers were the palest yellow, with purple highlights running through the petals, glowing like small suns.
"You like it?"
"Yes, I've only heard of these." I looked at him, and I could see his tension melt. He'd been worried I wouldn't like it, but he couldn't have been further from the truth. This was a perfect place for a date between an elf and a witch. This place held only rare and magical plants, a melding of my talents and his. "What is this place?"
"This is my work. They want me to make the largest collection of magical and rare plants. I have four greenhouses right now, and the option to take a few more. We are working on an outdoor garden as well. This is the only one that's even close to completion." He smiled, looking at the variety of tropical plants, sparkling, glowing, and blooming for us.
"Is this where you got that flower you gave me?" During the troll case, Elron had given me this cute purple flower. It was a cute little flower, until a sudden growth spurt turned it into a dinner plate sized flower.
Elron blushed, a bit of pink showing on his cheeks. "No, that flower came from an ordinary garden down the way."
"If you say so."
"I do, but if you want to see what the cutting has done, it's in my workroom. Now, we have dinner." He uncapped a bottle, and poured each of us a glass of something bubbly. "This is sparkling apple juice, not wine. We have a spinach, pasta, olive, pine nut, coconut, and heart of palm salad topped with parmesan cheese and a vinaigrette. There's a side of corn casserole, and dinner rolls. For dessert we have blueberry tarts." He pulled them out of the basket.
"It looks delicious."
"Thank you, though I must admit, I didn't cook them. Landa insisted after I told her what we'd be doing tonight."
"You told Landa?"
"I had to. She wanted to know why we wouldn't be at dinner. I think she approved."
"Oh, good." I relaxed, knowing I wouldn't need to defend my actions to her. My parents were a different story. If things got to that point, it would be a bit awkward to introduce my boyfriend when he was older than both my parents combined. Narzel save me.
"Are you ok? You look worried."
"I had a strange thought."
Elron arched an eyebrow. The look was too much for me; I spilled everything. "If we got to this point - If, mind you, we dated for a while and it was appropriate to meet our respective families, introducing you to my parents would be awkward since you're older than the two of them combined."
His face stilled; his eyes unfocused. Shaking his head he came back to the present. "That would be unsettling for all parties. If we come to that point I will think on it more. Since we aren't there yet, let's leave it be. That bridge will be there should we need to cross those waters."
That was a level of wisdom and maturity I hadn't seen in men my age. "Very true. Where are the plates? I'm hungry."
Elron handed me a plate, napkin, and silverware before pulling them out for himself. We were quiet as we divided the food. Everything was delicious; Landa's food never disappointed.
"Can you cook?" I asked.
"Yes, can you?"
"Not really." He blinked several times. "What? I'm a great witch. I can cook up a good charm, but I can't cook food. Trust me, I've tried and it usually ends badly."
"Even with modern kitchen equipment? My experiments with microwaves and toaster ovens have been quite successful. I am accustomed to making foods that require less cooking."
"I've had elven fare. It's good. Would you cook for me one night?" Even if it wasn't a date, it would be enjoyable.
His lips curved in a smile. "Only if you'll give me sleeping charms."
"Fair enough, but why do you need them? Can't you make a tea that has the same effect?"
"I was using a tea, but it might be part of the problem." His brow wrinkled, and he focused on his food.
"What problem? Is it more than insomnia?" I didn't want him to realize I'd asked for another date. Any conversation was better than that.
"I keep having these crazy dreams. They are strange. I even dreamt about the two of us going on a date. Lately, the dreams haven't been particularly restful. It would be nice to sleep without them for a few nights. Michelle, what's wrong?" He set down his plate, getting up from the rock he was using as a seat. "I didn't feel anything. None of these plants should be able to hurt you."
I shook myself, closing my mouth. "I'm fine, just surprised." I didn't bother telling him to stay seated because he was already sitting next to me, with my hand cradled in his so he could take my pulse. His eyes traced all the plants before coming to rest on me.
"Are you sure? You're very pale." He brushed stray hair away from my face. "And cold."
"Elron, what kind of dreams have you been having?" I wasn't sure what terrified me more, sharing dreams with him or both of us dreaming of the other without magic being involved.
He blushed. "I'm not comfortable sharing the details of the dreams. In fact, I'm ashamed to be having them. Could we drop it?"
"A few nights ago, I dreamed we were in bed. Where the headboard should've been was a large flower similar to the one in my bathroom. You woke up when I reached to turn off the alarm, telling me we'd forget the time and be late to work if it was off. Then we kissed." I watched him as the color drained out of his face, and his fingers slid off my wrist. "It wasn't an idle question. What kind of dreams have you been having?"
"I had that dream. How did we have the same dream?" He seemed
confused, and a bit angry.
"Witches can have dreams that show future events that might come to pass. In rare occasions, we can share dreams with those close to us. Usually, it happens between partners, mates, best friends, or siblings. I'm not sure why we're sharing dreams, especially racy ones."
The corner of his mouth lifted, and he gave me an assessing look. "So, we're sharing dreams?"
"Yes, what's going through your head?" I leaned back, feeling unsure. Something brushed against me, sliding along my back and through my arm. "Elron, something is on me. What is it? Get it off!"
He peered around me, and started to chuckle. "It's nothing."
"It's not nothing. I feel it. Maybe you need your eyes checked."
"It's nothing to be worried about. Look at your right arm."
Bracing myself for the worst, I slowly looked down. The tip of a leaf was resting on my arm. My eyes traveled along the leaf, unable to see all of it because it vanished into the heart of the plant. The part I could see was as big as my torso. The center of it was a yellow that transitioned to a midnight blue at the edge of the leaf. As I watched, it shifted and slowly rubbed my arm. "What is it?" I asked, fascinated. I'd never been petted by a plant before.
"It's a Golding Elephants Ear."
"Golding?"
"The young plants are blue and green. It takes years for them to reach full size and develop the yellow centers on their leaves. Juice from the leaf is yellow as well."
"Cool. Why is it named for gold rather than yellow?"
"The leaves will hold whatever shape they are in while they are drying, and the entire leaf turns gold. They are the original gold leaf, used in decor."
"When did using gold become fashionable?" I asked.
"Humans did that." Elron watched as I stroked the striped leaf. It rolled under my fingers until I hit the spot. The edges twitched as I rubbed the itchy spot it couldn't reach. "It's lovely."
"I know." There was a wishful note in his voice. I didn't have time to dwell on it, because a breath later he was kissing me.
He leaned back to look at me, and my eyes uncrossed enough to see the corners of his mouth tip up and his eyes sparkle. After gently touching his lips to mine one more time, he returned to his seat on the other side of our plates.
My lips tingled and my hand felt cold and lonely.
"That was nice." I cringed. Nice, didn't begin to describe the kisses.
Elron chuckled. "During dinner I kept thinking, 'What if I could kiss those lips?' Forgive a forward old man."
I waved him off, flustered enough that my hand hung limply, hardly moving. "I like the forward old man. You should be him more often."
"I will remember that. Would you like a blueberry tart?"
"Thank you, but not yet. Can we explore the garden? I'd like to see the clipping from my plant too."
"As my lady wishes." He rose to his feet and offered me a hand. I placed my hand in his and was gently pulled to my feet. "Which way?"
"Let's do the downstairs first, then the upstairs."
"After you."
My hand slipped out of his as I walked into a magical world, the likes of which I had never seen before. The beauty and mystery around me was a sight I would never forget. Every plant was a different color, sparkling, shimmering, with brightly colored leaves and flamboyant flowers. The stems and trunks, often plain on common plants, were as brilliant, deceptive, and captivating as the rest. Some of them rushed to touch me, while others shied away. Elron cajoled them close enough for me to get a good look.
A bright twinkling light drifted to me.
"What's that?" I asked.
"Glittering apricot hibiscus. It uses the lights to attract insects. Pitcher plants will often grow nearby to collect any foolish enough to land."
I held out my hand and the sparkle floated into my palm, sending a light tingle through my hand, as if static electricity was jumping from the sparkle to me, then it winked out of existence. The plant, with big ruffled blooms, shimmered. I sent three sparkles of my own dancing closer to the tree. It responded with three of its own, and the six shimmers twisted and twirled around each other.
*******
"Why is there a man sitting on the steps with Ty watching him?" Elron asked as we drove up to the lodge.
"What?" His question pulled me out of my stupor. The date had been lovely, so lovely that I wanted date two to start the minute this date ended. At the same time, I'd gone out and had fun when Amber was, well, I didn't know what she was doing but I shouldn't be having fun. I needed to find her, bring her home safe.
My eyes focused on the building in front of us. Sure enough, Ty was standing watch over the guy on the steps.
"Do you know him?" Elron asked.
"I don't know, we're too far away." All I could see was the outline of a male.
"Oh, that's Andrew," I said as soon as I was close enough to identify him. My tongue ended up between my teeth to prevent cussing.
"Is he the one who spelled you?" Elron's eyes narrowed. He'd been the one to find the spell.
"Yes."
"What does he want?"
"I'm not sure. A few days ago I got a letter asking my forgiveness. He wanted to talk to me, but I didn't call."
Elron parked the car. For all his comments about being an inexperienced driver, I hadn't stomped on my imaginary brakes once this evening. Elron motioned for me to stay as he got out of the car. I sighed as he came around to open my door and help me out. Elron said something to Ty in elvish, and the big guy moved off, still keeping an eye on things.
Andrew looked around uneasily. The dinosaur and elf must have thrown him off balance. Andrew looked at Elron one more time, and seemed to dismiss him as unimportant. "Michelle, I didn't hear from you. Would you consider my clan's offer?"
"Are you asking or is your clan asking?"
He tugged at his shirt collar. "Both."
"That's not an honest answer. Did your clan ask you to come here?"
Swallowing hard he answered, "Yes."
"No. If this was a serious offer a clan elder should have made a formal request." As if I would want to join a clan that forced a man to spell his date. For all I knew the date had been his clan's idea.
He twisted his finger. "I know, but I didn't have a choice. They thought you'd be more willing to listen to me because of our date."
"Then your elders are as foolish as the man who can't tell them no. Go away. Don't come back." If I did join a clan, I wouldn't pick that pack of idiots.
Beside me, Elron tensed like a predator focusing on his prey. He reached out and raked his finger through Andrew's aura. A green shimmer washed over Elron. "If you or any member of your clan comes here again the forest will not let you pass. You, and yours, have bothered Michelle enough."
Andrew stepped closer to me. "Michelle, think about this. It's a good offer—"
"The lady declined your offer. Be on your way."
"Listen to him, Andrew. I'm done."
Andrew reached for me. I stepped back, unwilling to have his aura brush mine. Andrew's arm was extended, fingers open, when the flat of a sword knocked his arm away. The sword arced up, coming to rest at his throat. Andrew stilled, eyes locked on Elron.
"You do not listen. The lady does not want you here. Neither do I," Elron hissed.
Andrew's head jerked up and down. Elron stepped back, lowering the sword, and Andrew fled.
A warm breeze hit the back of my neck. I turned, "Ty, stop that."
He tilted his head and danced from one foot to another.
"Do you want to scare him?"
Ty nodded.
"Okay, but don't hurt him or the car."
When Andrew saw the dinosaur in pursuit, he gunned it, tossing gravel as he sped down the road. Ty made a happy sound and trotted after him, growling and snapping at the car.
When Andrew's car had vanished into the night, Ty came back. I told him he'd been a good boy, scratched his nose, and sent him back to the garden.
"Where did the sword go? And where did you get it in the first place? What did you do to him?" The questions tumbled out of my mouth.
"Elven magic, it is difficult to explain."
"Try me. I'm pretty good at following magic," I answered dryly.
"The edge of your power, or aura, is similar to skin, right? It holds everything inside." I nodded. "I broke the aura so the earth could get a better sense of him, and his clan. The forest wants to help, this gives it the information it needs to protect you."
"Smart. I like it." It used minimal power, but maximized what an elf was capable of doing. He hadn't answered my question about the sword. That was a trick I wasn't going to forget. "And the sword?"
"The blade is spelled. Our blade masters bestow them upon elves who finish training. As you can see, it has some special abilities." As I watched, Elron closed his hand as if around a hilt, the empty air was filled by a sword. His hand twitched and the sword was gone again.
"That's a nice trick. Why did you scare Andrew away?"
"He did not understand your dismissal, and I'm tired of people threatening you. They seem bent on frightening you at the most inconvenient times, disturbing my rest." He held the front door open before following me inside.
"It's not my fault they're frightening me."
"Stay with me. They won't look for you in my apartment."
"I think it's a bit early in the relationship for that." Elron was growing on me, but spending the night with him was taking it too far.
"Narzel take it." Elron stopped us in the middle of the hall. Color brightened his cheeks, and he ducked his head. "That is not what I meant. It would not be proper for us to share a bed. You could have my guest bed, my bed, or the sofa. I would take the one you weren't using. If none of those were acceptable for you, we would discuss other options, but I would not dream of insulting a lady by asking to have relations after the first date."
"Oh, I'm sorry, I misunderstood. Guys my age are more focused on sex than companionship. Thank you, but it would be best if we kept a distance for now, since someone is hell bent on harming me."
A Witch's Path Page 18