He had considered and discarded a great many plans over the course of the past several days. Had practiced certain skills, gained from his quest for Safrin. Had planned an elaborate ruse that involved a magicless magic trick.
But in the end it all came down to speed and luck.
He could not put into words the relief that flooded through him when he felt his hand - and, more importantly, the Rose it held - strike flesh. Thorns pressed deep into his palm as well as Flora's calf but he did not flinch from the pain. It was a small price to pay for the success of his surprise attack, and he released the Rose to catch the young woman who fell into his arms.
Now he could breathe freely, pulling Flora into an embrace that was both gentle and firm. "I have it," he confirmed, knowing the vial was what she needed to know about first. "But Flora. I am furious with you." He did not sound angry. His voice was deep and quiet. But there was a roughness in it that spoke of emotion that was so rarely acknowledged, much less revealed. "I have never wanted to shake someone before now. If you had been a little faster--" Or if he had been a little slower. Or if she had chosen not to reply to his invitation. Or if she had brought a member of the Family with her--
Gods. He was going to cover a shrine to Safrin in diamonds for the success of this day.
But in the end it all came down to speed and luck.
He could not put into words the relief that flooded through him when he felt his hand - and, more importantly, the Rose it held - strike flesh. Thorns pressed deep into his palm as well as Flora's calf but he did not flinch from the pain. It was a small price to pay for the success of his surprise attack, and he released the Rose to catch the young woman who fell into his arms.
Now he could breathe freely, pulling Flora into an embrace that was both gentle and firm. "I have it," he confirmed, knowing the vial was what she needed to know about first. "But Flora. I am furious with you." He did not sound angry. His voice was deep and quiet. But there was a roughness in it that spoke of emotion that was so rarely acknowledged, much less revealed. "I have never wanted to shake someone before now. If you had been a little faster--" Or if he had been a little slower. Or if she had chosen not to reply to his invitation. Or if she had brought a member of the Family with her--
Gods. He was going to cover a shrine to Safrin in diamonds for the success of this day.
