Chapter 1
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The palace gardens at sunset were supposed to be peaceful.
Lian liked them that way. The roses didn’t ask questions. The tulips didn’t care if he was covered in dirt. The fountains didn’t expect him to make small talk.
“Okay, you lot,” he whispered to a row of wilting lilies, fingers brushing soil. “Drink water. Grow tall. Don’t die on me, I’m already in trouble with the head gardener.”
He did not expect footsteps behind him. Loud ones. Confident ones. Royal ones.
“Crown Prince Kael to the garden!” a voice announced, like he was making an entrance on a stage. “I am here to admire nature. And possibly ruin it.”
Lian did not turn around. If he stayed very still, maybe Kael would get bored and leave.
That was a stupid hope.
“Whoa.” The footsteps stopped right behind him. “You’re the new gardener, right? The quiet one? Milo said you talk to flowers.”
A pause.
“Do they talk back?”
Lian finally glanced over his shoulder. Crown Prince Kael was exactly like the rumors said. Tall, glitter in his hair from who-knows-what ball, wearing silk like it was pajamas, and grinning like chaos had a name.
“They listen,” Lian mumbled, yanking a weed out harder than necessary. “That’s enough.”
Kael crouched down beside him without invitation. Too close. Smelling like expensive perfume and trouble.
“Fascinating. Teach me?” He picked up a rose and immediately got a thorn in his finger. “Ow. Rude plant.”
Lian sighed and reached for Kael’s hand without thinking. Dabbed the tiny drop of blood with his sleeve. Kael went very quiet for exactly two seconds.
“Wow,” Kael said softly. Then louder: “You have healer hands AND garden hands! The king needs to give you a raise!”
From across the garden, someone shouted.
“KAEL! I TOLD YOU THE CINNAMON ROLLS WERE FOR THE LIBRARY!”
Prince Ren stood by the hedge, looking furious. Behind him, Milo was waving a tray and grinning like he’d started a war.
Kael didn’t even look. He was still staring at Lian.
“Nah,” Kael said, smile going soft. “I think I’ll stay here. The roses are better company.”
Lian wanted to disappear into the dirt. He also wanted Kael to keep looking at him like that.
This was going to be a problem.
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