Fan Fiction ❯ Spirit of the Dragon ❯ Blossoms ( Chapter 16 )

Chapter Sixteen

Silvery snow melted away, exposing lush patches of green. Buds peeked up out of their cold winter shells, and the land became very much alive again.

Crowe found it increasingly difficult to walk; extra weight brought her back pains. But Acanthus was there every step of the way, and she discovered, with an ironic smirk, that he had somehow become her dearest friend. And though their bond was platonic, she could see it, quite possibly, becoming something deeper.

Five weeks into Spring, Acanthus proposed they take a ride out into the country (in a carriage, this time), to see the glorious flowered hills he kept raving about. So the two of them packed up a picnic lunch and set out down the road.

The sun was pleasantly warm against their backs. And though Crowe had appreciated the charm of glistening white hills, she had to admit that Spring brought a new kind of beauty. It was a season promising hope and life and fresh beginnings.

Acanthus drove them this time. The carriage was actually more of a cart. Many of the courtiers found it difficult to understand why a man of such extinguished wealth even owned such a contraption, but he preferred comfort over style. This is probably why his clothes were moderately informal, while most of the palace dwellers strutted around in garments and bangles that could sink ships.

Crowe watched the hazy greens for miles. She spotted speckles of wildflowers here and there, but nothing to verify Acanthus' claims. And then…they reached a little ravine, and it was as if the grass was on fire. But it was on fire with blossoms; blossoms of every color imaginable. Blue and red. Vivid violet. Flaming amber woven in gold.

"This place is absolutely beautiful." She murmured.

"Did I not tell you? We will stop just up ahead." He steered down a little outlet, and they came to a halt in the dirt. Then he unloaded their lunch and led her up a little slope.

"Good heavens." Crowe breathed. The meadow of wildflowers spanned out like an ocean. And beyond them rose majestic mountains of blue.

The two of them stopped beneath a weeping willow. Acanthus lay out a cloth for them and tossed her a sandwich. They sat quietly for a while, munching contentedly to the sweet serenades of thrushes.

Crowe jerked suddenly, and put a hand to her abdomen.

"Are you alright?" His eyes darted to her in concern.

She laughed lightly. "It's just the baby. It's kicking me."

"Is it?"

She had somehow grown fond of the being within her. Even though it had never spoken, and she had never seen its face, she already loved it. It was very much…a part of her. Eight months ago she would gladly drop the burden without a thought. But now…living without it was unimaginable. She couldn't wait to be its mother.

"Yes." She said to him. "Here, you can feel it."

"Alright..." He looked embarrassed while he reached out a hand. It came to rest on her abdomen. For a moment he held it there awkwardly, but then the baby moved again and a smile traced his lips. His eyes locked with hers silently, to exchange a secret message. Crowe was afraid of the meaning behind it, so she looked away from him. Her heart was beating madly.

This is Rono's child. She had to remind herself. Rono's child. But where was he now? Surely he hadn't given up on her? She found it hard to believe he died in the flames. Rono knew his destiny. And it wasn't to perish non-gloriously in a fire.

The hand left her, and went back to holding his meal. It seemed Acanthus was pretending nothing had happened.

But it was getting harder, for Crowe to pretend. Surely his inclinations were clear, but hers weren't. And as long as she masked her own feelings, she was safe from him. But how long could she keep this up? And why do I want to keep this up? Was there anything wrong with giving in to her emotions? Yes. She knew it was true. Because although Acanthus would like to deny it, his stature was a cruel barricade between them. Goddess of Shadows, he's a prince. The Crown Prince. She picked up an apple and sighed.

Acanthus looked up to find the cause of the sigh, but received no explanation from her. He might accept a Gardrothian in his Court, but his people won't. Saving a thousand Drunesmerrian cities wouldn't change that. Her eyes clouded with the bitterness of her situation. If he were anyone but the heir to the throne, anyone, she could give in to it all. She could let joy sweep her up in its loving embrace.

Crowe scowled in the light of her revelation, and set the apple aside. She wasn't hungry anymore.