Chapter 199: A Cookie, Mutual Gratitude, and Ravenous Beasts (1/1)

His guests left not long after Rowan planted Tamran's soul at the edge of the plot with all the others. After he'd sung the tender shoot from the dirt, he covered the ground around it with forget-me-nots while Tamlyn and the others knelt quietly behind him.

"You can come check on him anytime you like," Rowan said as Tamlyn gave him a parting kiss on the cheek.

He watched from edge of his garden as they disappeared into the dappled shade of the woods. Wren stood beside him, his hand resting in the small of Rowan's back. His eyes were like sun-warmed honey as they drifted over Rowan's face. 

"Your magic never ceases to leave me breathless. The way you handle poison and death is amazing, but what you just did for Tamlyn…that is where your spirit shines. It's dazzling to watch you work. Who needs the stars when I have you?"

As always, Rowan felt a flush rise to his cheeks at Wren's excessively sweet words.

"It makes me happy to provide comfort."