Mother entered the grove first and dropped the deer at the base of the tree. Small roots curled out of the ground like worms, curling about the body before slowly dragging it down below. The color of her cheeks had gone white, and her dress was covered in brown splotches of drying blood. She dragged her feet as she went, and stayed at the edge of the grove.

“My, you did return quickly!” Oleander beamed at their speedy return, but then tilted his head with confusion at Linnea’s appearance.

So this is what it meant to be a butcher. It was quick, and the deer did not suffer much, but it didn’t leave a good taste in her mouth. How was she going to feel when Nicolaos decides that Oleander is ripe for slaughter? “Ah, yes. Thank you for greeting us…”

“Over here!” Oleander held his arm above his head and waved enthusiastically. “I can’t congratulate you if you’re all the way over there!”

Linnea hesitantly took a few steps into the grove, and was shocked when Oleander ran up to greet her. He put his hands on the sides of Linnea’s hips and pulled her closer. “W-what are you doing?”

“Are you really so sheltered that such a small act startles you?” He laughed as she nodded.

“I hardly view that as a bad thing.” She gasped as Oleander wrapped her up in a tight hug.

He buried her head against the side of her neck. His skin felt so cool and soft. Oleander truly was like a flower. “I’m sorry. I didn’t expect it to be so difficult for you,” he whispered. “Should we watch the sunset together?”

She tilted her head slightly, whispering quietly towards his ear as she spoke. “It will still be sometime before that ha-AH!” He picked her and carried her further into the grove, before gently placing her down on the grass and curling up next to her.

They talked for a time. Mostly it was him asking questions, as he didn’t have much to say about himself. Books were a particular fascination. Partially he was appalled that they were made from trees but was interested in learning about the written language. She wasn’t willing to teach him it, but she did tell him some of the stories she had read.

Trees blocked off the true view of a sunset. All that could be seen were the clouds and the subtle changes of color. It was beautiful in its own right but lacked the true brilliance of the horizon. Linnea frowned at the sight, but Oleander was fascinated.

“It’s like a flower... The way the colors shift from bud to blossom to death,” he muttered.

“Have you never seen it a different way?” She rotated to her side, choosing to watch him instead of the sky.

“I don’t remember. It’s quite possible that I was the first tree here. The sky may have been quite different then. Does it change all that often? From year to year?” He also rotated to his side when he noticed that she had moved.

“Is it hard for you to remember?” He did seem to struggle the night before, relying heavily on the will-o-wisps for much of his information.

“The tree is my body, and I am but it’s flower,” he replied. “My role only allows me to remember what is important. I know I must get a body for my roots, and that I am the king of this place. My subjects, the spirits, and animals teach me anything else I may need, of Nicolaos’ presence, and of man... Anything else is not important.”

“I have trouble imagining what that is like,” Linnea whispered.

“I have trouble imagining anything different,” Oleander retorted.

“But you remember anyone else visiting you?” Nicolaos had hinted that there may have been other fae here once, but he never mentioned where any of them had gone.

Oleander reached over and grabbed her hand. “I feel as though it were easier once. Mother wasn’t always here, and maybe there was someone else that brought me meals. Perhaps I once had fae in my court. I don’t remember it, but if I question my current state, I know that this was not always how it was.”

She began to wonder what happened to the others. “I see...” The sky had already started to darken, and the sound of the will-o-wisps singing could be heard in the distance. “Maybe Nicolaos would know?”

“The spirits told me that other fae have shorter lives. There were so few of them left that they failed to have children, and they slowly became the last of their kind until there was no more. I believe it’s a blessing that I don’t remember any of it myself.” He stared at her for a moment before saying anything else. “You truly plan on leaving soon?”

Linnea sat up and averted her gaze. “Perhaps I’ll stay for a month.” She realized that a nymph might not know what that meant. “Until the moon matches the appearance that it had the night before.”

“You truly cannot wait till the end of summer?” Oleander kept his eyes on her.

She tensed up at the idea. “I still have to tend to my home, and I wouldn’t wish to see you fade away as flowers do.” She didn’t know how she would feel if she had to witness that. “I... I-I read a story once about nymphs. It said that one was able to turn human once they vowed their love for another, but that fate seems more cruel than the one you have now.”

“Who is to say for sure?” Oleander closed his eyes, concentrated on remembering. “My magic keeps this grove beautiful. If I were to become human and leave this place, the nearby trees will eventually choke out all light, and my tree will wither to nothing in the darkness.”

“So it would be cruel,” Linnea whispered. She stood up. “The night is here. I should return to the tower.”

Oleander stood up and held out his hand. “Or we could continue our dance from the night before?”

Linnea crossed her arms. “If you are not out to eat me, why are you so flirtatious?”

“I am but one of perhaps hundreds of blossoms, but one fact has always been with us. The universal truth that is burned into our very souls.” Oleander kept his hand out for Linnea to take. His fingers curling in and out in order to tempt her. “Flowers are meant to sway a woman’s heart.”

She frowned. He smiled. With a sigh, she took his hand, and the two began their dance anew. The will-o-wisps danced and sang with them as well. With every twirl and skip, the two never once dared to look away from the other’s eyes.

The moon was high within the sky when Linnea decided that it was time to part ways. She performed a curtsy, and he in turn gave a bow. When they rose up, they froze in place, each waiting for the other to say something first.

“I would walk you back, but…” Oleander gestured to the tree behind him.

“Of course!” Linnea exclaimed. He was the biggest threat in these woods, and she would be safe enough walking back by herself. “I will be heading off.”

“Wait.” She froze up and sucked her lips in and he drew her in close. Instead of a kiss, he simply placed his forehead against hers. “Come back to me. As soon as you are rested, return to me.”

Linnea pulled herself away again. “I will do as I please.” Her tongue stuck out at the nymph as she turned away, and the will-o-wisps were kind enough to show her the way home.

Nicolaos was waiting for her outside of the castle. He was curled about his tail, eyes glowing lilac as he studied the woods. They flitted over towards Linnea as she approached and a puff of blue smoke started to seep out from his nostrils.

“I’ve returned, Lord Nicolaos.” Linnea curtsied.

“You reek of blood and nectar, child,” growled the dragon. His tail unfurled itself, and he flicked open the door with the tip. “Play as you must, but do not forget that we have a bargain. You must uphold your end of the promise if you are ever to have the crown.”

“You should not concern yourself with the details of my outings, sir. I will do as you ask, but I require my moments to stay private.” Linnea hesitated before entering the castle. “But I do find myself full of questions. Please spare a moment to speak to with me?”

The dragon stared at her, studying every bit of her face and posture. He nodded and walked passed her. “In my cave. There are eyes and ears everywhere in these woods, and on you. Ones that will undoubtedly whisper to their king if we are not careful.” He sneered as she took her time to follow him. “We are partners in this endeavor, and whatever knowledge I have is for you to have as well.”