Chapter 44. Shocked, Relieved, Overjoyed

Emory

Lola wants to see the gardens, so we leave Helga and Nellie to unpack Lola’s things and we make our way outside. Kane insists I have guards with me at all times so we have two guards following behind us, far enough to give us some privacy but always in sight. I bring Lola to the rose garden. I haven’t avoided the place even after that time Opal and her friends tried to attack me there.

I refuse to let Opal and her ilk drive me away from things I enjoy. The rose garden is a truly beautiful place, and I will continue to visit it. I warn Lola not to touch the rose bushes so she won’t hurt herself on the thorns. Lola gives the roses a minute of her attention before proceeding to try and climb a tree.

“Be careful,” I warn her. “You could fall.”

“I’m fine!” she calls out as she climbs up a branch. “I climb trees all the time.”

That I can believe. I spent my childhood climbing trees around our family home, and so did my brother Coit. We