Cross stood quietly before me, his red eyes still fixed on mine.
“Soul link?” I blurted out before I could stop myself.
The words echoed inside my head.
“Is our soul linked together?” I asked in shock.
Cross remained silent for a brief moment before shaking his head.
“No, that’s not exactly what it means. A soul link is like a thread connecting us both together. It is a…” He said, but suddenly stopped halfway through his sentence.
His eyes shifted away and I narrowed mine.
“What’s that? You were saying something.”
He looked back at me and smiled, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes.
“It’s not something to worry about.”
“How can I hear your voice when I’m asleep and unconscious? Is that normal to you?”
Cross took a slow breath.
“It’s nothing to worry about.”
I could tell he wasn’t telling me everything.
Before I could ask another question, Cross slowly turned away.
He quietly stood up.
“Look around.” He said.
Confused, I stood and looked around.
I hadn’t noticed my surroundings until then.
The place was enormous.
A wide field stretched across the mountain, but there wasn’t a single sign of life.
Thousands of flowers covered the land, but every one had withered.
Their petals were black, their stems bent toward the ground, and even the trees looked hollow beneath the gray sky.
“The flowers are dead.” I said.
Cross slowly walked into the middle of the field.
“Not for long.” He said softly.
“When I left Larvana, everything here collapsed, but now that I am back with my bride, we can rebuild the whole kingdom.”
His words drifted away with the wind.
There was hope in his voice and I watched him bend down toward one of the dead flowers.
Cross gently picked it up.
He held it carefully between his fingers as though it were something precious, he lowered his face and breathed softly on it, nothing happened at first but suddenly, a faint silver light spread across the flower.
The black petals slowly regained their color.
The dry stem straightened and tiny green leaves pushed out from its sides.
Right before my eyes, the lifeless flower bloomed once again.
I gasped.
It looked healthier than before.
More beautiful.
Cross looked at it for a moment before walking back toward me.
Without saying anything, he placed it gently into my hands.
The flower slowly shifted Its petals curled inward before opening again.
This time, it had become a rose.
“This was your favorite garden. You mostly come here anytime you are mad at me and you would force me to plant more flowers of various kinds.”
His smile grew warmer as though he were remembering something precious.nFor a brief second, I almost wished I remembered it too, but I didn’t.
Nothing came, no memories or a familiar feeling.
I looked from the rose in my hand back to Cross.
This man knew far too much about me or rather about whoever he thought I was.
I still couldn’t believe it.
Everything he said sounded so real and sincere.
Yet none of it belonged to me.
I wasn’t his Princess Imogen.
“Do you remember?” His voice interrupted my thoughts.
I stared at him blankly and slowly shook my head.
“I’m sorry, I don’t.”
The words came out almost as a whisper.
For the first time since arriving here, I felt guilty.
His shoulders fell, but the disappointment lasted only a moment before a gentle smile returned to his face.
“I am ready to take it slow.” He said and he slowly closed the distance between us.
Before I could react, his hand gently rested against my cheek.
Warm, just as always.
His thumb slowly brushed across my skin.
I froze.
Every sensible part of me wanted to slap his hand away.
I should have but I couldn’t.
His touch wasn’t frightening.
It was comforting and safe.
Heat slowly spread across my face.
Why did his touch always make me feel like this?
Embarrassed by my own reaction, I quickly turned my face away and took a small step back from him.
The rose slipped from my fingers and landed softly on the ground.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then the petals slowly crumbled into black dust.
The dust didn’t stop.
It spread across the place like dark mist, drifting farther and farther through the lifeless garden.
“What’s going on Cross?” I asked.
I watched in silence.
The black dust rolled over every dead flower it touched and tiny green shoots burst through the snow.
One flower bloomed, then another.
Within seconds, the entire field exploded with color.
Scarlet roses, golden lilies, white lilies, purple lavender and Blue blossoms I had never seen before.
The dead garden awakened all at once and a warm breeze suddenly swept across the mountain, carrying thousands of colorful flowers into the air.
I stood there speechless, completely surrounded by a sea of blooming flowers.
“It’s so beautiful.” I whispered.
I slowly turned in a circle, taking everything in.
Only moments ago, this place had looked abandoned, forgotten by time itself.
Now, flowers stretched endlessly in every direction, dancing gently beneath the mountain breeze.
As I admired the endless sea of flowers, something caught my eye between a cluster of blooming roses.
I frowned and stepped closer.
There, hidden beneath the flowers, was a patch of mushrooms.
I blinked and my eyes widened.
“Yesssssssssss!”
I screamed in victory, throwing both fists into the air.
Finally!
I didn’t even care why mushrooms were growing in the middle of a flower garden.
That wasn’t important right now.
I had finally found food.
I hurried over and knelt beside them with a grin stretching across my face.
Cross stood a few steps away, silently watching me.
His eyebrows slowly knitted together.
“What are you doing?”
I looked up at him with the biggest smile I had worn since meeting him.
“Preparing lunch.” I replied.
Without waiting for another question, I untied the coat he had wrapped around me.
I carefully folded it into two before laying it across the ground like a basket.
One after another, I gently picked the mushrooms, making sure not to damage them, and placed them neatly inside the coat.
Cross remained exactly where he was.
He didn’t interrupt or stop me.
He simply observed everything I was doing as though trying to understand why collecting mushrooms could make someone this happy.
I could already imagine a warm bowl of mushroom soup and just thinking about it made my stomach rumble.
After collecting as many as I could carry, I proudly gathered the coat into a bundle and hugged it tightly against my chest.
I looked at Cross with excitement sparkling in my eyes.
“Can you start a fire?” I asked.
Cross tilted his head slightly.
“You mean this?” he replied.
Without warning, a tiny flame appeared at the tip of his finger.
The soft orange fire danced effortlessly above his skin as though it belonged there.
My mouth slowly fell open.
I smiled so widely my cheeks almost hurt.
I couldn’t stop staring at the tiny flame.
This had easily become one of the best experiences since he kidnapped me.
“Okay, I need a pot, water and some seasonings.” I said with a light jump.
Cross simply looked down at me with an unreadable expression while I happily hugged my bundle of mushrooms.
I quickly wrapped everything inside his coat again before turning toward the staircase.
“Let’s go.” I said.
Without another word, I started walking.
Cross quietly followed behind me.
For some strange reason, I suddenly had far more energy than before.
The excitement of finally cooking real food completely erased the exhaustion from climbing the mountain.
I practically skipped down the stairs while carrying my precious mushrooms.
Behind me, Cross watched in silence.
The corners of his lips lifted a bit.
Some minutes passed and we got back into the room, I was prepared to make my soup.
“I need firewood, Cross.” I said.
Almost immediately, the doors opened and several maids hurried inside.
“What do you need, Princess?” One of them asked respectfully as they bowed.
I didn’t even bother questioning why they kept calling me Princess anymore.
“I need a pot, seasoning, water and firewood.” I said.
The maids exchanged confused glances.
No one moved.
I frowned.
“Just get me firewood.” I blurted out.
The young maid immediately nodded.
“Yes, Princess.”
She hurried out of the room while the others remained standing quietly.
I looked around the room, searching for something I could use.
My eyes landed on a large flower vase resting near the window.
“It should do.”
I hurried toward it.
The flowers inside were beautiful, but they had to go.
Carefully, I pulled them out one after another before lifting the vase.
I tapped its sides with my fingers.
It was thick, heavy and strong enough.
It could withstand the heat.
“What are you doing?” He asked.
“Cooking.” I replied without looking at him.
Holding the vase tightly, I rushed out of the room.
“Slow down, Imogen. You could fall.” His voice carried genuine concern, but I was too excited to slow down.
Outside the room stood a beautiful stone fountain.
Crystal-clear water flowed endlessly from the mouths of carved dragon statues.
I hurried over and lowered the vase beneath the flowing water until it was filled just enough.
Cross walked outside shortly after me.
He leaned quietly against one of the large pillars, folding his arms as he patiently watched whatever strange thing I planned to do next.
Not long after, the maids arrived carrying bundles of firewood.
They carefully dropped them onto the ground before stepping back.
I immediately got to work.
I crouched down and arranged the firewood carefully, placing the thicker pieces at the bottom and the smaller sticks across them until they formed a sturdy space in the middle that could support the vase.
I clapped my hands together proudly.
“Perfect.” I looked toward Cross.
“Cross, the fire.” I said.
Cross walked over and ignited his pinky.
The moment it touched the wood, flames spread across it.
“Yes!” I screamed.
Carefully, I placed the heavy vase on top of the burning wood and waited for the water to boil.
“This is actually working.” I whispered.
Soon, tiny bubbles began rising to the surface.
I smiled, then I poured every mushroom into the boiling water.
They floated briefly before slowly sinking beneath the surface.
I folded my arms.
Please, don’t disappoint me.
A few minutes later, the smell drifted into the air.
Not amazing but it wasn’t terrible either.
I looked around, no seasoning or salt.
My smile slowly faded and I almost cried.
I forced another smile.
“Don’t worry, it’s going to be the best.” I said.
Cross looked into the boiling soup.
He opened his mouth then closed it again.
Even I didn’t believe myself.
After a few more minutes, I decided it was done.
I reached for the vase.
The moment my fingers came close, I quickly pulled them back.
It was hot and before I could figure out another way, Cross stepped beside me.
He held my hands.
“Did you get hurt?” He asked and began to blow on them.
“I’m fine Cross.” I said and withdrew my hands from his.
Without hesitation, he reached down and lifted the burning hot vase with one hand as though it weighed nothing.
I stared at him.
“You really are a devil.” I muttered under my breath.
Once the vase was safely on the ground, I quickly poured water over the burning firewood.
The flames hissed loudly before disappearing beneath thick white steam.
Some of the maids quickly stepped forward carrying elegant plates and wooden spoons.
They carefully placed them in front of me before stepping back again.
I happily scooped some mushroom soup into a bowl.
I looked toward Cross.
“You can join me.” I said.
He slowly shook his head.
“This is poison, Imogen I don’t think you should eat this.” He said softly.
I rolled my eyes.
“What do you know?”
I confidently lifted a spoonful to my mouth and took a bite.
Instantly, everything stopped.
The smile disappeared from my face.
The soup was, horrible, bitter and bland.
It somehow tasted like wet tree bark soaked in dirty water and I nearly spat it back into the bowl.
My eyes watered instantly and Cross watched my expression.
For a second, he remained silent, then he laughed.
My lips trembled.
A tear slowly rolled down my cheek.
“I… I” My voice cracked.
I had been so excited and hopeful.
Only for it to taste like this.
I couldn’t hold it anymore.
I burst into tears and Cross’s laughter disappeared immediately.
His expression softened as he quickly walked toward me.
Before I knew it, he had pulled me gently into his arms.
“This is all your fault. You just won’t feed me.” I cried out.
Cross held me a little tighter.
“I did. They brought octopus.” He replied.
I pulled back just enough to glare at him through my tears.
“You are so daft, Mr. Devil. How can a girl like me eat a live octopus?” I said, my voice breaking.
Cross stared at me before letting out a quiet sigh.
“Okay, stop crying, Imogen. What do you want? I’ll place it at your feet.”
I sniffed.
“I want French fries and burger.” I said softly.
He frowned.
“What are those?”
Fresh tears filled my eyes.
I realized there was no burger, fries, not even ketchup.
I started crying again and suddenly, a sharp pain twisted inside my stomach.
I froze.
My face turned pale.
The nausea hit me without warning and I gagged once.
Cross immediately noticed.
“Imogen?”
Before I could answer, I threw up.
The mushroom soup splashed all over Cross’ clothes.
I slowly lifted my head and stared at the mess covering him.
“Fuck Larvana Mushroom,” I muttered weakly.
I puked again.
Cross said nothing.
He simply held me and rubbed my back.
When I was done, I expected him to be angry.
“I’m sorry.” I said softly.
“You don’t have to be, let’s get you cleaned up.”
“How about your clothes?” I asked.
“It’s fine.” He slowly guided me to my feet, the maids wanted to help but he shoved them away with his hands.
He guided me back to the room and sat me on the edge of the bed.
“Sit.”
I nodded quietly.
Cross stepped a few feet away from me.
His coat was soaked.
Without thinking much about it, he pulled it off and tossed it onto a nearby chair.
Some of the soup had soaked through to his black shirt.
He frowned slightly before reaching for the collar, trying to pull the wet fabric away from his skin.
The shirt shifted and my eyes widened.
Just beneath his collarbone, I saw a hole.
It looked as though something had pierced straight through the left side of his chest.
My hand flew to my own stomach.
It was the exact same place where I had been shot in the museum.
Even the shape of the hole matched mine.
I stared at him, unable to breathe.
Cross noticed my silence.
He turned toward me.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” He asked.
I slowly raised a trembling finger.
“Your chest.”