Goddess of the Rose (Goddess Summoning #4)(52)

Fixing her own sandwich, Gii said, "I have never seen him eat." The Earth Elemental shrugged. "Not that he doesn't. He must. The food that is left at the mouth of his lair disappears and must be replaced."

"Lair?" Mikki sputtered, almost choking on the piece of cheese she'd just swallowed.

"Yes, his lair." Gii paused, looking confused at Mikki's surprise. "The place in which he sleeps - where he goes when he is not out amongst the roses."

"I guess I assumed he lived in the palace, like I do."

"Oh, no, Empousa, he is a beast." Gii sounded appalled. "It would not be proper for him to live in the palace."

Mikki studied Gii, trying to read the handmaiden's face as well as her words. The Earth Elemental was kind and compassionate. So much so that Mikki naturally sought out Gii's company more often than the rest of the handmaidens, and she already felt as if the two of them were becoming friends. Yet here Gii was, sounding cold and unfeeling. The Guardian was an animal. Period. So he didn't deserve the same luxuries or consideration the rest of them did, yet he was the being who protected their realm.

Deep in her gut it felt wrong - terribly, hurtfully wrong.

But she didn't correct Gii or question her further. Mikki didn't know enough about what was going on here. Not yet. Something wasn't right, and it had to do with the Guardian. She'd already learned from getting close to the roses that everything in this realm was not as it first appeared. She'd keep her eyes open and watch the Guardian. Her instinct told her that if she got close enough to him she might discover what was hidden beneath his facade, too. That is, if he let her - or if she dared. Until then she would watch and learn, and follow her gut.

"Tell me about the - what did you call them - Dream Weavers?" She purposefully changed the subject.

Gii brightened. "The Dream Weavers have the ability to take the ordinary - and the not so ordinary - and weave it into dreams and magick, which they then send from this realm out into the other worlds. It is from what is created here that all the dreams and magick of mankind are born."

Mikki struggled to take it all in. "And by 'the other worlds' you mean?"

"Your old world, that of the mundane. And then there is also the ancient world, where the gods and goddesses are still revered. It is the ancient world from where the women of this realm and I were chosen."

That was what Hecate had said when she'd talked about the crossroads between the worlds. It had confused Mikki then, but today her mind felt more able to absorb the seemingly impossible details of her new home. And she realized that at least one of the questions she had been pondering had been answered. The other Empousas had obviously come from the ancient world, and that must be where they retired to. In a slightly crazy way, it did make sense.

"You said the women had to go back to the palace to take their turn as Dream Weavers. So they're doing that - creating dreams and magick - right there in the palace?"

"Yes, Empousa."

"I'd like to see that. Is it possible that I could watch?" Mikki asked eagerly.

"You could do more than watch. As Empousa, you have the ability to weave dreams and make magick, too."

Chapter Eighteen

SHE had the ability to weave dreams and make magick . . . Gii's words remained with her all the rest of the day, circling around and around in her imagination, which stayed as busy as her hands. Just the concept that dreams came from somewhere other than a sleeping subconscious was bizarre enough. But to think that she had the ability to create them! It was the most extraordinary thing she'd ever imagined.

"Empousa."

The Guardian's deep voice startled her, but she was careful to cover her jumpiness with a show of wiping her hands briskly on her muddy chiton while she straightened from crouching under an unusually large cluster of a Felicite Parmentier shrub. He was standing so close that his shadow seemed to engulf both her and the rose on which she'd been working, making her feel flushed and nervous. Buying time to steady herself, Mikki said briskly, "Oh, Guardian. Just a moment." Then she called to Gii, "Gii, the roses in this bed will need to be staked. Would you remind me that tomorrow we'll need to have wood cut and brought out here?"

"Yes, Empousa," Gii called back.

Then, composed again, Mikki turned to face the Guardian. "Sorry about that. Now, what can I do for you?"

"Dusk approaches. The women cannot be in the forest after dark."

Mikki squinted over his shoulder at the sun that was, indeed, beginning to settle into the massive canopy of the forest. "I've really lost track of time today. I keep being surprised at how late it is. You're right; it is time we stop."

"You have accomplished much, Empousa."

Mikki smiled softly. It looked like he'd gotten over being pissed at her. "That sounds like a compliment."

He bowed his head in slight acknowledgment. "Indeed."

Since he seemed to be in an agreeable mood again, Mikki said, "It would really be a help if you would check out the rest of the rose wall and let me know if there are any other parts of it that look weak. The thing is huge; it seems to stretch on forever. I want to make sure it's fertilized, but I also feel like it's important that we begin working on the roses in the gardens."

"It is logical. The garden must have your care, too. I will inspect the wall at first light."