CHAPTER 23 #3
Small, plucked leaves fluttered into a small bed of assorted plants and herbs.
The once empty basket was now filled with a thin layer of botanicals that covered the woven bottom of the basket.
Through Lenore’s blood, sweat, and tears, as she so dramatically claimed, she had managed to part through the hazy cloud of scents and grasp at faint traces of familiarity, leading to getting a few forest gems.
“I can’t believe you actually recognize some plants.
” Edmund couldn’t hide the surprise in his voice as he twirled a leaf’s stem between his fingers.
“You skipped most things you could toss into a tea, and you almost harvested a poisonous one... but you got some things.” A light smile crossed his face. “Good job.”
Pride swelled in Lenore’s chest, and she beamed.
She stroked the edge of a small leaf in hand, before letting it flutter down into the basket.
“It was a hobby of mine when I was working back at Arkhaven. It started off with serving store-bought teas, but then I eventually loved making my own homemade blends for clients. My own little special menu.”
“Were you a chef of some sort?”
“Oh no,” Lenore said. She plucked the leaves from a stem and dropped them into the basket beside her, keeping the stem between her fingers. “I’m an—or was an esthetician. I had my own studio.”
Edmund’s brows subtly creased. “A what now?”
Lenore giggled at Edmund’s puzzlement. “I didn’t expect you to know.
For the most part, I’m a skincare specialist. Basically, someone who sought to improve and beautify one’s skin.
I offered different kinds of facials—multi-step treatments for their face, elixir peels, head massages, oh, and lymphatic drainage massages.
” She sighed warmly. “I loved it all so much.”
Edmund slowly blinked as he processed the information given. “That’s... a thing?” He asked in disbelief. “Doing all of that to your face?”
“Mhm.” Enthusiasm sparkled in Lenore’s eyes.
A bright smile lit up her face. “And it’s popular too!
I was always busy. It made me happy making other people happy with how they felt better about their skin issues.
Even people with already nice skin would book an appointment, just to be pampered.
” She giggled fondly to herself. “Sometimes I got some really nice magical gifts as a thank you.”
“Gifts?” Edmund’s curiosity burned with something else as his jaw tightened. “... Who were they from?”
“Usually from long time clients. Oh, there was a girl that used to bring cookies from this really popular bakery. I’d eat the entire dozen before the end of the day.
” Lenore laughed and Edmund smiled with her.
“Since I ran my own business, I personally chose to keep it to women only. It made it way more comfortable for me since it was a small space.”
She looked down at the stem in her hand, not noticing Edmund visibly relax.
“Eventually, I wanted to offer specific tea blends that helped refresh my clients before a session, so I ended up taking a few outdoor workshops just to learn how to gather and make my own teas. It was all in the safety of guided trails, but I figured some of what I learned can transfer over to the wilderness.”
“Isn’t water enough to splash over your face to keep it clean?” Edmund frowned.
“Plenty of people need more than water to revitalize their skin, Edmund,” Lenore answered patiently. “People also like it just for a nice pampering session. It helps them relax.” She tilted her head playfully. “It might even help you.”
Edmund shot her a deeply skeptical look. “I can relax without that nonsense,” he grumbled.
The leafless stem Lenore held swung gently as she tapped it against Edmund’s shoulder. “Don’t dismiss it yet,” she teasingly scolded. “I mean, you... you could be my first male client.” She blushed lightly. “It won’t be too far from what you’re used to—a mud mask, just without all the grit.”
“Hm. I’d prefer mud and grit,” he replied in dry sarcasm. “Maybe throw in moss and sand for those days a werewolf needs extra cleaning, and that’s all we need.” He flicked the stem off his shoulder.
“You say that until you experience some luxury pampering from an expert.” Lenore gently nudged him with her shoulder. “I’ll even throw in a complimentary massage.”
The suggestion made Edmund tense up instantly. His head jerked away. “It’s stupid,” he barked out.
The sharp rebuff stung Lenore. Embarrassment flooded in after she replayed her words in her head, regretting how they came out.
“I-I didn’t mean anything strange,” she tried to explain.
One of her hands dragged itself through her hair, squeezing the ends.
“I just thought of it as something more fun to do.”
“You thought wrong.” The curt response silenced her, and an awkward tension formed between them.
“Okay,” she managed. She gave him a weak smile.
“Well, thank you for your honest input.” She bent over to pick up her basket and stood upright after.
“I’ve pretty much collected enough plants and herbs to make something decent, so I guess it’s time to head back.
” She couldn’t meet his gaze anymore. “Good night, Edmund.”
She stepped into the darkness before she could change her mind. Blooming flowers met their early demise as they were crushed under Lenore’s heels. Withered petals clung to the underside of her boots.
“No, Lenore, wait—”
Lenore felt herself being pulled back into the comfort of light.
She stumbled backwards as she struggled to find her footing, and found her back thudding against a firm, muscular form.
Her hand was in the grip of Edmund’s, who had yet to let go.
The sun droplet hovered above, like a gleaming star that bathed the two of them in a soft glow of golden light.
Edmund was the first to break the silence between them. “You—you haven’t collected any serebells.” His low voice was soft, almost as if not to scare her away.
“Pardon?” Lenore could scarcely hear him over the racing beat of her heart. She didn’t look back.
“I said you haven’t found any serebells,” Edmund clarified. He cleared his throat. “I heard those are good for inflammation and purging toxins. It’s refreshing too.”
Lenore said nothing in response. A part of her was still upset at his callousness, and uncertain whether to stay or not. Her lips softly pursed while her eyes darted back and forth in a sweeping motion as a cloud of conflict encircled her thoughts. She felt her hand being gently squeezed.
“... And you said that you would tell me more about your day after I shared. It seems you have yet to hold up to that trade.”
“I didn’t think you’d remember that,” she mumbled. Her eyes refused to leave the ground, nor did she pull her hand away from his grasp. Neither did Edmund let go.
“I wouldn’t forget that,” Edmund quietly replied. “So you still owe it to me to stay a little longer.”
“... Okay,” Lenore said softly. “But this time, I would like you to be a bit more gentle with me, please.”
“I—ugh,” Edmund groaned. “I didn’t mean to—I’ll try. I apologize.”
“Why’re you apologizing?” She stayed where she was, her lips pulled into a small pout.
A subtle, quiet grunt barely escaped the back of Edmund’s throat. “I’m sorry for how I responded to you.” Lenore felt another light squeeze to her hand. “You... didn’t deserve that.”
His apology softened her. She responded with a wordless sound, her own way of accepting it. Even if she didn’t see it, she could smell the relief rolling off the man behind her. The corners of her lips curled upward.
Quietly, Edmund added, “Don’t run off on your own again. It could be dangerous, too.”
“Alright,” she agreed. “I won’t. So...” Slowly she turned around, hand still in his as she looked up to face him.
Under the soft glow of light, both their cheeks had the same splash of redness that rivaled a rose in peak bloom.
It was then Lenore realized how close they were in proximity, how they were barely a few inches apart.
Edmund’s stature was far more pronounced in their closeness, and she felt so small against him.
Their hands snapped apart, falling back to their sides.
The shared warmth was lost, and the ghost of Edmund’s touch lingered upon Lenore’s fingers.
A pang of yearning ached through her. She wanted to touch him again—until she heard Pip giggling.
Clearing her throat loudly to muffle the sprite’s sounds, she then moved a step back.
“So,” Lenore said. “Serebells. I’ve never had those personally. Um, how about we look for those first?” She swallowed down her fluttery nerves as she ran her fingers through her hair.
“It’s not too far from here. Just, uh, just follow me.
” Edmund moved stiffly at first, then briskly entered a pace that had Lenore hurry behind.
After shooting a glance over his shoulder, he slowed down, and she smiled in gratitude.
A touch of red tinted the tips of Edmund’s ears as he looked ahead again.
The sun droplet drifted above them, following along in a subtle bobbing motion.
Distant sounds of life rustled through the forest, keeping Lenore close to Edmund. The night became alive with creatures that had slumbered through the day, and she flinched when a dark blur dove into a nearby bush.
But with Edmund here, she felt safe. As he led the way, the sounds quieted around them, recognizing their true nature—and the dangerous edge in Edmund’s aura. Nothing here would dare risk an attack.
Just as Edmund said, they hardly ventured far before he came to an eventual stop. He knelt, then stood up again.
A freshly plucked stem with a cluster of nearly transparent flowers was held in his hand when he turned around. Lenore gasped and stared in fascination at the bell-like flowers. Silver veins ran along the petals as if moonlight itself was woven into the delicate flowers.