Page 43 of A Whisper of Cinders

“We are very lucky with our greenhouse. It makes it possible to grow unique blossoms and medicinal herbs. We rarely run out of stock.”

Aramis leaps on the little porch and can barely contain his excitement. A giggle escapes me. “Well, don’t you look happy?”

“I just know you’ll love what’s behind these doors.”

Aramis opens them for me. I walk up the stairs, my body only inches away from his as I pass him. A pleasant, little shiver runs down my spine. “And how can you be so —” My smile falters as I take in what is in front of me “…sure.”

It feels like we’ve entered a whole new world. We stand in the entrance to the greenhouse, which is already a spacious room. I pinch myself just to make sure this isn’t a dream. Everywhere I look is…life; green plants stand tall, vibrant coloured flowers woven between them, their scents create a beautiful perfume and I see bees and butterflies fly around. The contrast couldn’t be any bigger to the cold outside.

I look over my shoulder at Aramis, who takes me in with a shy smile. “Would you believe me if I said this is only the tip of the iceberg?”

“There is more?”

He nods, and waves forward, allowing me to descend the spiraling staircase. From up here, all I can see is a densely grown canopy and stairs that disappear into it.

I slowly take the stairs down, breaking through the leaves and watch as a hidden piece of paradise unfolds. To my surprise, it isn’t dark underneath the canopy. The tall windows filter light through, and it almost looks like the sun shines down here, even though I know it is cloudy outside.

A long wooden table stands in the middle of the greenhouse, students linger around, occupied with tending to their flowers and plants. When I take the final step, I notice various paths leading away from the center of the greenhouse.

“It’s more plants and flowers, I know there is some kind of system behind it, but don’t ask me how it works,” Aramis whispers.

I look up, he is still on the stairs. “This is wild, Aramis. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

He winks and I quickly turn around, hoping he didn’t catch the blush on my cheeks. I take a few steps forward, noticing a fair-haired girl taking care of a purple blossom. Just as I’m about to pass her, she looks up from what she is currently doing and offers me a gentle smile. Her eyes seem to have the same purple colour as the flower she tends to, but then I blink and her eyes are a deep blue, like what I presume the depths of the ocean might look like.

I am for once the one who is staring and quickly smile back. Aramis ushers me forward and the girl resumes her task.

Many students repot flowers and plants, cutting pieces from leaves, watering them and doing all sorts of other things I don’t recognise. It makes me yet again realise how ignorant I am, my mind a mess full of gaps and holes. Like cheese, those too have holes sometimes.

I give myself an internal shake, this is not the time to bathe in self-loathing. I’ve survived five years with this fact, I can manage a little longer.

We near the end of the table where an enormous tree takes up the entire back wall of the greenhouse. The branches are long and hang low, the leaves shaped like tears. It is magnificent.

Seemingly out of nowhere, an ethereal looking woman appears. Her midnight blue hair and equally extraordinary eyes stand out amongst the greenery. A small headpiece of entwined twigs rests upon her forehead and she is dressed in an elegant green robe, leaving her shoulders bare. Her gaze is entirely focused on me, eyes unblinking, but not in the judgmental way. More in surprise, shock even.

“Professor Bloomhart, this is Maily, our new student.” Aramis makes way so I can move closer. “Maily, meet our professor with the greenest thumb you’ll ever see.”

I gently nod in way of greeting, starting to feel a little uneasy under her unblinking stare. She takes a few hesitant steps forward, as if she is the one who is nervous. She halts about three feet away from me and lifts a hand, reaching out to me.

“Here you are at last.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Completely captivated by the melodious sound of her voice, it takes me a few seconds to register what she actually said. I slowly blink at her. “Oh, my apologies, Professor Bloomhart. I didn’t know you were expecting me, otherwise I would’ve hurried more. Normally I am very punctual, I promise.”

“Yes, yes…I —”

I throw a quick glance in Aramis’ direction, wondering if she might be a bit absent-minded, but by the confused expression on his face, this is new to him as well.

“The Lunaria Corfloris is tended to, Professor Bloomhart. Are there any other plants that acquire my attention?”

The girl from before with the pale blonde hair and blue eyes shakes the professor out of her trance with a voice that is equally soft as it is husky.

Professor Bloomhart's gaze shifts to somewhere behind me, “Thank you, Sirelle, I’m sure you did an excellent job.” She pauses, looking back at me, contemplating what to say next. “Could you perhaps help…our new student find her necessities? I will be with you in a minute.”

She turns her back to us, calls out Aramis’ name, who gives me an apologetic look while passing me, before they start talking, their voices hushed.

The blonde steps in my line of sight, her hair effortlessly messy, leaves and petals are twisted in her locks and I’m not sure if she’s unaware of it or if it’s part of the look. It doesn’t matter, she is beautiful in a soft kind of way. Round protruding eyes, small nose and full lips. Everyone I’ve met so far looks like they came straight out of one of those modeling magazines Ami used to talk about. She is no exception. I don’t know if it’s something they put in the food here or if they all have good genes, but I can’t help but be in awe.