Chapter 459

Right after breakfast the following morning, Elain was surprised to see Sheera practically skipping down the hallway toward her. Her friend grabbed Elain's hands and began pulling her back up the hallway.

"I know you're meant to be back in the Memory Garden, but everyone knows what they are doing and I am certain that you can spare just a little while."

"What is it that you need?" Elain asked, unable to help a smile at her friend's enthusiasm.

"I want to show you something."

"Did you come all the way up to the Palace for this?" Elain asked, when it became apparent that the direction Sheera was pulling her was toward the path to the city.

"I want to show you!" Sheera repeated, grinning widely as she glanced at Elain.

"Alright."

Elain did not fight her friend, and went easily as they headed down into the city. She quickly worked out that they were headed in the direction of her friend's shop, and she began to put it together. Sheera wanted to show her what her shop had become since she had brought Tamlin down here to work his magic.

The street the shop was on was full of faeries. Elain couldn't help but smile as she watched them all milling about, lives active and happy, as they made their way up the street, from one store to the next. Sheera's Sunshine Stems was closer to the other end, and Sheera pulled her keys from her pocket as they approached. The hand-painted sign made Elain smile as it had the first time she saw it, and she could already tell through the windows that the growth happening inside the shop was much more prevalent than it had been the last time she had been there.

Elain had been impressed with Sheera's shop when she had first visited. She had appreciated the wide array of flowers and plants and she had enjoyed the variety of stock that her friend had within the store. It looked almost like a jungle now, and Elain knew that her mouth had dropped open as she had gone inside. Vines climbed the walls and were tracking their way across the roof, flowers bloomed huge and bright, and the scent in the air was utterly divine.

"My goodness…" She breathed, turning to look at Sheera. "Tamlin did this?"

"Yes." Sheera was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet. "I just thought I'd ask if he could make sure that they were all healthy and would grow well when they were purchased… and he did this."

"He did a good job…" The mood within the shop seemed to be calming and Elain found herself wandering to the small tables that Sheera had by the window. She sank down into one of the seats and looked around. "It's lovely, being in here." She said, "I really think you should look into offering snacks…"

"You said the same thing the first time you came."

"And I hold to it." Elain replied, remembering having that conversation, "This is a really nice place to sit and to relax…"

"I suppose I could organise a daily delivery from the bakery up the street…"

"You might sell more flowers that way." Elain went on, "I can see these seats full of faeries having a morning snack while they look at all the beautiful flowers and by the time they are ready to leave, they will have grown fond of many more than they would have if they just popped in for two minutes."

"You're right…" Sheera nodded. "Also…" she went on, and Elain caught her friend looking at her from the corner of her eye, "I wanted to ask you if you were interested in perhaps putting together a few bunches here and there…"

"Of flowers?"

"Of whatever you like." Sheera went on, "Like an Elain's Choice kind of thing…"

"I…" Before Elain could even ask why anyone would be interested in that, SHeera was explaining.

"You're kind of… a big deal… well known. You're the mate's Heir and everyone is interested in you around the city. They've seen you on the street and they've heard about what you have done… They're curious and some … I don't know if I want to use the word 'idolise'…"

"Please don't." Elain frowned, "I… I'm not…"

"You are, though…" Sheera went on. "Your sister is the High Lady of the Night Court… and you will one day be the Lady of the Day Court… and well, I guess… that attracts attention."

"Fair."

"Yes, well… If you were to arrange a couple of bunches, or to highlight a plant here or there… that would definitely be of interest to some… and…"

"You would make some profit…"

"I don't know if I was really focused on that…" Sheera tilted her head, "But it would be something that other stores don't have and it would increase the traffic through my door…" She smiled widely at Elain. "Only if you want to."

"You helped me." Elain said, "Organising my plans for my garden… I can help you." She liked arranging flowers. This would not be hardship for Elain at all.

"You would, of course, be given a bunch for yourself." Sheera added.

"Who would turn that offer down?" Elain asked, looking around the shop again. "Have you considered maybe a bookshelf?"

"You want to turn me into a library? The city has enough…"

"It could be nice," Elain smiled at her friend, "Sitting among the flowers while perusing a good book…"

"That's what the parks are for." Sheera laughed, and Elain made a mental note to visit the city park nearby before she headed back up to the palace.