The garden was a breathtaking symphony of colors and scents, as if Mother Nature herself had decided to show off her finest work. It was magical, and the moonlight made it appear far mystical. The air was thick with the scent of a thousand flowers, a strong perfume that made my senses tingle.

It wasn't just the two of us. There were many more people, most of them in their own business, occupied by the magical properties of the flowers found inside the garden. It never even crossed my mind that such a place existed in this world.

Before we could near the garden, we were stopped and asked to take off our shoes. Untangling the straps of my heel, I took it off and kept it on the side with Elijah's dirty, fat boots—surely leaving a few inches.

My gaze quickly returned back to the entrance of the garden. It was a whole different world past the gates that were wrapped with vines. Ahead, there was a narrow pathway throughout the entire garden, which I assumed extended for a few good miles. There were small cabins, or houses, spread all across the area, all their lights switched on.

People wandered in and out, their eyes shining with life.

Elijah's hand came wrapping around my wrist and he guided me through the narrow pathway. I looked around while biting the inside of my cheek. My curiosity only piqued.

"Don't go away from me, you might just get lost and you don't want that." I heard his voice, it was clear, but I couldn't take my attention of the people in the garden.

They were all— "What are they on?" I asked him, my brows furrowing.

"What you're going to be on soon."

We stepped inside one of the cabins, it was old, reminding me of the houses we had back in my hometown. There was a bar inside the cabin where drinks were being served. I smelled alcohol, bitter alcohol and something else, a strange sweet smell.

Elijah's hand remained tight around my wrist as he took me inside. He leaned down, and greeted a woman that was seated in the corner. She looked to be in her mid-forties, with a warm smile that crinkled the corners of her eyes. Her long, wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders like a silken waterfall, shimmering in shades of silver and gold.

"It's been a few months since you've graced me with your presence. I thought you were gone for good, probably doomed by that mother of yours. What brings you back?" She asked, her voice low, but carrying a melodic lit.

As he took a seat, so did I, in front of her.

Her eyes diverted to me, and she further questioned, "And who is this lovely young lady?"

Elijah chuckled softly—softly. I hadn't heard him chuckle in all the week I had spent with him in that abandoned house of his, and now, suddenly, he was chuckling.

"She's my friend," He said, shaking her hand. "She's new here, new to all of this. I thought it was about time she experienced its wonders."

"Mhm, well, my dear, you're in for a treat," She extended her hand to me and I shook it while quickly noticing the faint darkness in her veins. She was a practitioner of dark magic. She noticed the same in me and rose her head, "I'm Marigold, I take care of this garden most of time."

"I'm Vivian, and it's nice to meet you—" I smiled at her, but before I could finish, Elijah grabbed my hand and parted it away from hers.

"Give me something strong, I'm dying for it."

I gave him a look and found desperation growing in his eyes. He didn't bring me here, he bought himself here and decided he needed some company—which ended up being me.

The woman laughed and nodded, "Be patient. There's a lot here for you that can take your mind of whatever's worrying you. It seems like there's a lot. Do you need any help, by chance?" She raised her brow, and asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

There were a few men and women seated near to the bar where drinks were being served, but none of them heard or even glanced in our direction.

Elijah shook his head, "You know well I don't need any help."

A smile curled on the corner of her lips before she rose up from her seat. "Then, I should ask Gregory to prepare some drinks for the both of you. Enjoy your time here," She glanced at me and continued, "You too, dear."

My eyes followed her as she walked away from the table. Curious, I stood up and followed her to the bar, where an array of colorful bottles lined the shelves, their content shimmering in the dim light. Elijah came in front of me, covering my view with his large body and cornering me to the end of the bar where there was no one.

I pushed my hands against his arm and came forward. "Let me see."

"See," He stepped a few inches aside, his large shadow still falling over me. "But don't let anyone else see you."

"I thought no one's going to recognize me."

"There are more people here than I expected," He whispered, his teeth clenched. "Anyone could have come from Vragas to spent the weekend here."

Marigold approached us with a man near to her, I assumed it was the bartender. He mixed a concoction for each of us, the liquid swirling with iridescent hues as he poured it into delicate crystal glasses. She plucked a flower from over the wooden tables and dropped two petals into the liquid.

The white petals sank and released a string of bubbles that rose to the surface, causing the drink to shimmer even more brilliantly.

"Drink," Marigold said, handing us the glasses with a warm smile. "This is a special drink, infused with the essence of Luminaria flower. It will help you relax and embrace the magic of this place."

Elijah took the glass, handing one to me.

With cautious sips, I tasted the drink. It was like nothing I had ever experienced before, a delightful mix of flavors that seemed to dance on my tongue. The warmth of the drink spread through my chest, leaving me feeling lighthearted and at ease.

Elijah's expression mirrored my own as he took a large gulp of it in one go, while I merely took sips.

"I'll leave you to alone. You know where to go from now, Elijah." She gave him an odd look, and it didn't make sense to me. "Enjoy your night."

Elijah took her hand and kissed the back of it. "You always take such good care of me."

I blinked, twice, and then waited till she was gone. She disappeared into thin air in matter of a few seconds after giving a wink to Elijah.

"So, she's one of your admires, huh?" I cocked a brow at him and leaned against the bar.

He chuckled, again, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "She's just a friend, and she happens to be very good at her job. I met her here several years back, and the garden has never disappointed me." He said, his voice laced with a hint of cockiness.

I rolled my eyes, "I hope it's not her garden that hasn't disappointed you."

"No need to be jealous."

"As if I'd be jealous. I don't even like you." I scoffed at his remark.

He slipped his fingers under my chin and gripped it before leaning in close. "Say whatever you want to. You're obsessed with me."

"As if—"

He pulled my face closer to his. "You casted a sex spell on me, Vivian. You're more than just obsessed with me. You just crave for every man that crosses your path. Is it because you were completely deprived of a male's touch in all those years you lived in your mother's little house? Or it because you're simply so needy and desperate." The grin grew wider over his mouth.

"I'm neither needy nor desperate. But it seems like you have a pretty high opinion of your own abilities, so maybe you're the one with some unfulfilled desires," I pushed his hand away from my face and snorted. "I doubt any woman would want to even sleep with you."

The smug smile over his face didn't flinch, not even slightly. "I've had several."

"In your dreams."

He let out a laugh, clearly entertained. "Oh, you've quite the wit. But trust me, I've never had any complaints. You can try."

Read 20+ chapters ahead on Inkitt or Patreon:

Inkitt: www.inkitt.com/miakerr

Patreon: www.patreon.com/miakerr