Dome of Atlantis

Chapter 22

     Edric looked like he came straight out of a storybook. His silver eyes watched me in awe as I walked closer to him with Clare.

     His clothes resembled an ancient Chinese hanfu. His two piece outfit had black sheer material covering his trousers. The black material contrasted beautifully to his pale skin.

     Edric closed the gap between me and him and offered his arm for me to take.

     I lifted my arm and wrapped it around his to take my leave from Clare.

     Edric smiled at Clare. "Thank you Clare. You can enjoy the rest of your night off."

     Clare smiled and bowed at us before she left.

     When Clare left Edric turned his attention back to me. "You look beautiful Vivian."

     "You do too," I said before catching myself. "I mean you look very handsome."

     Edric laughed and brought me over to a door before opening it to a beautiful view.

     There were a few purple wisteria trees surrounding a small table. On the table lay a couple of paper lanterns along with two plates of fresh fruit and vegetables. There were the beautiful silverware I spotted earlier from my l investigation of the palace.

     Edric led me over to the table and pulled the chair out for me to sit down across from his spot.

     He walked over to the side of the table and sat down. He motioned to the food. "Feel free to eat whatever you want."

     I grabbed the fork and spun it nervously in my hand. I looked up at the wisteria tree. It was beautiful.

     "Do you like the trees?" Edric asked me.

     "Yes, Wisteria and Sakura trees are some of my favorite?"

     "Is that what they're called?" he asked.

     "These ones are called Wisteria I believe."

     "They had a few seeds on the ship my mother crashed on sealed in a container. She planted these ones soon after she met my father."

     I brought my head back to Edric and then the food. I wanted him to take the first bite.

     He smiled and as if he read my thought he lifted his fork and stabbed a piece of fruit. "Don't be shy on my account."

     I smiled and stabbed what looked like a cantaloupe piece and took a bite. It tasted sweet and wonderful in my mouth. I chewed slowly and we quietly ate for a little.

     "Since you like these trees so much I'd like to show you my mother's garden after we eat if that's alright with you."

     "That sounds nice," I said to Edric.

     We ate a few more bites before Edric asked me another question. "Where you're from what kind of foods do you eat?"

     Different restaurants and fast food places raced through my mind. I looked back at the table. It was like I was eating a meal from way back in history. "The foods back home are very flavorful but not always the best choices."

     "There are good and bad foods here too."

     "Some might taste good, but too much of it can be unhealthy. I guess that might go for any food," I spoke. What's your favorite Edric?"

     He paused to think. "I don't want you to think we eat mermaids because we eat stuff from the ocean, but when someone brings in crabs from a fishing trip I do quite enjoy them.

     I smiled at his honesty. "I wouldn't think you would eat mermaids anyway. I eat some seafood as well. Crab legs are my favorite seafood actually."

     He smiled in relief.

     I sat back in my chair and folded my arms. It seemed we were both finished eating.

     When he made sure I was finished he blew out the candle and stood up. He stood up and walked over to me and helped me out of my chair.

     I took his arm once again and we headed back inside the palace.

     The palace was quiet while we walked around. We walked through a long hallway to a big glass door. When Edric opened it humidity crawled across my face.

     Behind the door were various flowers. I spotted rose bushes in the corner along with baby's breath. Nearby were purple hydrangeas and lavender bushes. It smelled heavenly in here. Sunflowers poked out of another corner. I looked to see that some of them were placed in pots to avoid their roots from hurting other flowers.

     "This place is beautiful," I told Edric.

     "I'm glad you like it. Which one's your favorite?" he asked me.

     "The hydrangeas," I said and pointed at them. What about you? Which one is your favorite?"

     "I like the red ones in the corner. I think my mother said they're called roses."

     "Yes, they look like roses to me."

     "I like them, but they hurt to hold."

     "They have thorns on the stems then?"

     He smiled at me. "How do you know so much about flowers?"

     I guess just growing up with them. I liked the pretty ones," I said and laughed.

     "My mom did too. You both have great taste."

     "Who takes care of these?"

     "There are a few elves in the village that helped my mom with the flowers. They take care of them now. You can take a better look if you want."

     I smiled and let go of his arm to walk around and look at the different flowers.
    
     They smelled wonderful. I closed my eyes while I sniffed the roses and imagined a large field covered in them.

     I open my eyes to see Edric smiling at me.

     I felt heat crawl up my face. He was so gorgeous. His teeth were prefect and bleach-white. He leaned closer to the rose and sniffed it like I was.

     "What gives them their smell?" he asked me.

     "That I'm not too sure of, but I know they have oils from the flowers, so maybe just the oils they produce?" I laughed. "I told you I'm not a flower expert."

    A few strands of hair fell in front of my face.

     Edric gently lifted his hand and tucked the loose strand of hair behind my ear. His hand lingered for a bit as if he wanted to put his hand up against my cheek. He gently pulled his hand back and stood up.

     I stood up along with him.

     "Are you tired? We can go on our walk now or if you're tired you can sleep and we can go on our walk tomorrow."

     "I'm fine. We can go on our walk now."

     I took his arm and we headed outside of the palace into the night.