Page 71 of They Love Me Knot (Starsfalls Omegaverse #2)

With that, Ciro opens the door and I step in carefully, not wanting to damage whatever plants he’s babying in here. I’m so busy watching my feet to make sure I don’t trip and knock something over that it takes me a second to register what’s inside.

I stop as I realize the strong vanilla scent isn’t coming from me.

The greenhouse is full of all species of vanilla orchids, growing on mossy poles and along trellises. Some are growing seed pods and others are in bloom, creating a perfumed jungle.

“I give Sterling the beans since he goes through them so quickly,” Ciro says, following me in.

He moves up behind me, putting his hands on my hips.

“Vanilla has always been my favorite scent, though now I love honeysuckle just as much,” he whispers in my ear.

Goosebumps break out on my skin, and whether that’s from his breath on my neck, Ciro saying he loves me (my scent), or saying he’s always loved vanilla, I couldn’t say.

He lets out an oomph when I throw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his waist in a hug.

I’ve always loved my vanilla scent, but most people don’t think much of it. It’s a common ingredient that appeals to many, or at least I thought it did. Apparently not so much when it’s part of someone’s scent. Then, it’s ignored as a base note, only there to elevate the “real” scent.

It hurt when others ignored my vanilla and focused on the honeysuckle. I like that part of my scent too, but I wanted people to like all of me, see all of me.

Ciro rubs my back, and I realize I’m squeezing him tightly, and this probably seems like an overreaction to hearing he likes my scent. Still, it means a lot to me, more than I want to get into right now.

“I love your camellia scent, I love all of your floral scents,” I add for my mates waiting outside the greenhouse.

I didn’t have time to say anything about our scent matches before my heat took over, but now I can fix that.

“I’m sure it’s obvious that I love the scent of flowers, but the five of you have the best scents.

They smell even better than the best real flowers, and we blend perfectly together.

It’s kind of silly, but I always thought it would be so romantic if my mates had floral scents like I do.

I never told anyone that because it shouldn’t matter what my partners’ scents are, as long as we care about each other.

Now that I've found you, I know I wouldn’t care what your scents are, even if you smelled like wet dog.

I like you for who you are, and I love being with you,” I say.

I’m not sure if my rambling made sense, going from saying I love their scents to I don’t care what they smell like. I think I was trying to say we’re a perfect match, biology aside, but they also made my secret romantic dreams come true.

The others squeeze into the greenhouse and pull me into another hug.

“I didn’t even know we were scent matches before your heat, and I already knew I wanted to be with you,” Ciro says.

“We care for you too, baby girl, regardless of scent matching suggesting we be together,” Alister says.

My other mates agree, soothing my illogical fear that they’re only staying with me after my heat because we’re matched.

“I’m glad none of us smell like wet dog. Though I’m sure there’s someone out there who loves that,” Sterling says.

I sputter a laugh into Ciro’s chest and feel the others chuckling around me.

“What, I’m just saying. I’m glad we’re a floral pack. Though I would still love you, Daphne, if you smelled like wet dog,” Sterling adds.

That stops my laughter, and I hold my breath, but no one comments on the “love” part, and Sterling doesn’t elaborate.

I let out a shaky breath, not sure if that counts as a confession. I’m barely holding in my own I love you because I think it’s too soon.

Talking about wet dog and then immediately declaring your undying love is probably not the best idea anyway.

Our hug disperses, and Ciro takes my hand.

“You may have already guessed this, but I wanted to explain so you don’t think I was being cruel on purpose.

I left the vanilla flowers for you at Queen of Hearts, every bud and bloom from my orchids at Flower Gully.

I would have given you the ones here too, but I only heard you needed the flowers that morning and didn’t have time to collect these.

Your big arrangement looked amazing, so I hope I gave you enough. ”

“My workers told Anicka we didn’t have any for sale without asking me, because the vanilla orchids are for my personal use.

I happened to overhear them that morning talking about the request and wondering if Queen of Hearts ever found a seller.

I would have given you the flowers sooner if I had known about it, I wouldn’t have kept them from you. ”

“That was you?” I ask dumbly.

I’m not sure why I’m so stunned by this. It all adds up, and we’re literally standing in a greenhouse full of vanilla orchids. Still, that Ciro was the one who gave me so many flowers when vanilla is rare and expensive…

“Yes,” he says, and I’m not sure if he planned to say more because I knock the breath out of him with my hug.

“Thank you,” I say, unable to express how much it means to me that he did that.

He cut down all his vanilla flowers just because he knew I wanted them, not even asking why or how many I needed. He gave me everything he could without question.

It’s times like this that make me wish we were bonded so I could show Ciro how much he means to me when the words won’t come. Even if I could figure out what to say, it still wouldn’t do my feelings justice.

Eventually, I let go of him with a sigh.

I don’t want to be pushy and ask for a bond too soon. I guess that means I’ll have to work on my verbal communication skills so I can tell them how much they mean to me in the meantime.

We get back to the tour, and Ciro shows me his vanilla plants. I listen raptly as he tells me about the different varieties and their care requirements.

After we finish and rejoin the others, Alister says, “There’s one more thing we want to show you before heading back in.”

“As long as you’re not too tired. If you need to rest, we can take you back to the nest,” Sterling says, looking me over like he’s checking to see if a strong breeze will take me down.

“I’m fine. It’s been good to walk around and stretch my legs. I’ve still got some energy left before it’s time for lunch,” I say.

It does feel like it’s getting close to time for a meal, or at least mid-morning snacks and coffee.

But I can handle finishing the tour first, so I’m happy to follow as Alister takes my hand and leads me around the maze to whatever’s hidden beyond the hedges.