Page 58 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

“I saw it too,” I say.

Flora scoots closer curiously. “We all did,” she whispers, bending her head over the closed bud. I instinctively move closer to her to make sure she doesn’t get hurt. That thing looks like it’s exploding any second.

eighteen

A New Friend

*FLORA*

The beings of light are in complete disarray, circling around the bud as if they want to speed up the process. Recently, I have been noticing a change in them; while I can still call them to support Elden, they don’t allow me to truly get into his mind anymore. Not that I want to ever breach his trust like that, but in case of an emergency it would be helpful.

They also don’t let me reach out to Vincent to that extent anymore.

I’m glad to see you so lively again,I say.I thought you were gone.

They circle around me now, playing with my hair.

We will never leave you, Flora.

We are part of you, Flora.

We only exist because of you, Flora.

Their voices swirl around me like butterflies surrounding me.But, why didn’t you let me reach out to Elden before?

We can’t,they say.We are here for you, and will help you and do what we can, but we cannot influence your closest bonds. That’s the only rule. We learned that now and need to abide by it or we can’t stay.

That’s a crap rule!I call out.Who decided on it?

The beings flutter around me anxiously.Can’t tell yet, can’t tell yet.

I’m used to them being vague, they always have been, and it never really got to me because it felt natural. They were with me from the first moment I can remember, and in a weird way I understand them as if they were truly part of me. But recently, there’s been a change, they have become stronger, they have started to talk about rules and giving me hints.

And I just want to know what the fuck is going on!

Unfortunately, throwing a tantrum doesn’t work on them. I have tried; I know for a fact.

Flora, Flora, Flora!They circle around me.It’s beginning, finally! It should have happened much sooner, but it couldn’t because the flower was almost dead when you found it.

What’s about to begin?I ask curiously, stepping even closer to the plant. I can feel Elden’s nerves, noticing how he steps closer to me to save me in case the flower attacks me. I guess you can never know where danger lurks.

We both gaze down at the big flower bud, watching how it opens slowly and-

“What…” Elden mutters in mere disbelief.

“Janice!” I whisper. “You need to see this!”

The others scoot closer, gathering around the flower and like in a sitcom they all gasp comically. “Is that real?” Vincent asks in disbelief.

I reach out my hand toward the flower. “Hello there, tiny person,” I say.

The beings of light circle the tiny, winged girl, nudging her softly. She looks around in confusion before her eyes lock onto me. “You are so pretty!” she blurts out.

“No,youare pretty,” I say.

She jumps onto my palm and stretches slightly. “That was a long sleep!” She grabs onto one of my fingers, patting it. “You saved me, didn’t you?”

“It wasn’t just me,” I explain.