8 CHAPTER 8 EXPLORATION

"I can't believe I'm riding in a horse drawn carriage, your world really feels like I fell into a fairytale from my childhood."

Jane looked out the window at the beautiful forest road they were taking, she stretched her hand out the window feeling the breeze and sunshine on her skin.

Beau leaned back in his seat across from her smiling taking in the image of her beauty, her hair had hints of brown in the sunlight as it blew in the breeze.

"Are the tattoos on your body common in your world as well?"

Jane blushed nodded her head.

"Yes, a lot of people have them. But not many people have as many as I do, my parents were so mad when I got my first one. The generation before my own usually dislikes them."

Beau nodded taking in the information, his eye looking at her from head to toe wondering where else she may have artwork hidden on her tiny frame.

"Would it be rude of me to ask if I can see the others?"

Jane coughed thinking of where her other tattoos were. She had the large one on her back that started from the base of her spine to her left shoulder, she had one on her ribs underneath her breasts, her other one was on her right thigh, and then she remembered her favorite one.

"I have one right here I can show you."

She showed him the inside of her right thumb, Beau leaned forward and squinted to read the tiny black script.

"Green thumb."

Jane laughed nodding, but Beau looked at her confused.

"What does it mean?"

Jane stopped laughing realizing he didn't get her childish joke, she cleared her throat before explaining.

"Well I work with plants as a Botanist. I'm very good at caring for all kinds of plants, raising them from seeds and using them for many different things. And when someone is good at caring for plants where I come from they say "you have a green thumb" because your hands keep plants green and alive. I got so drunk one night and got it tattooed and woke up the next day and couldn't stop laughing."

Beau watched at how lively she became telling the tale of how she got the strange saying permanently etched into her skin, he laughed at the idea of her getting drunk and imagined waking up with a funny saying on his own skin.

"That is funny. You're quite free spirited aren't you?"

Jane blushed, tucking her hair behind her ears, then she caught sight of a cluster of tall marble look buildings and pointed toward them

"What are those?"

"That is Soron, Stonia's largest city center. You are in need of some essential items. Your maid gave me a list, but if there is anything you simply want I'm sure we can find it."

As the carriage entered the city Jane's eyes grew wide at the sights before her. She saw a young girl with wings like a blue emperor butterfly, at first she thought they were simply a costume until they began to move and the girl's feet rose about half a foot from the floor.

"A fairy child, their kind live throughout the forests of Stonia we have very good political relations with them."

Jane leaned her head out the window to get a better look, she also noticed the girls ears were slightly pointed, she skin appearing to almost be covered in a silver sparkle.

"Do they all look that beautiful?"

Beau chuckled at her amazed expression, it was easy to fall for fairy charm and beauty.

"Many mortals fall for them, but fairy folk are proud and tend not to mingle in personal relationships with us. We simply aren't as lovely as they are."

The carriage came to a stop and Beau got out and offered his hand to the now giddy Jane, She tripped over her dress trying to rush and fell out of the carriage. Beau caught her easily with their faces a mere few centimeters apart.

"I'm sorry I'm still getting used to wear such long dresses."

Jane sputtered embarrassedly as he didn't set her down, merely holding her up in his arms.

"It's fine, your so tiny I could probably carry you all day. You should be careful here though the city tends to get crowded this time of day."

Jane blushed crimson and the prince a weak punch in the chest, he looked at her surprised as she huffed looking away.

"Are you sensitive about your height, should I not mention it anymore?"

Beau set her down and then took her hand and linked their arms together, Jane nodded not wanting to talk about the subject. She hated being short, if this was her second chance at life she wished she could have been taller.

"Is there a magic spell to make me taller?"

Beau laughed as he walked over to a near by cafe opening the door for them as they entered.

"Yes, but the effects are temporary. You would have to drink a potion often which isn't the best for your health. Magic drains mortals unless you're a wizard like Simon."

The two sat down in a small booth and ordered an afternoon tea.

"Do you drink tea?"

Jane smiled nodding as she caught a whiff of the tea as the waitress was pouring, she took a small sip smiling impressed by the floral blend.

"Lavender, chamomile, and rose hips and a bit of apple mint ?"

The waitresses jaw dropped stunned.

"That's the shop secret blend, how did you figure it out? Even our regulars can't figure it out!"

Beau raised his eyebrows stunned, no wonder she was able to figure out what had poisoned his father so quickly. She was an expert.

"I study plants for a living, I even make my own tea blends. This is really good. The ratios are perfect, I won't tell a soul though."

The waitress nodded and left the two to eat a drink, Beau watched how delicately she ate.

*She's been starving herself for days and yet she somehow is eating so beautifully.*

"Your table manners are impressive for someone not from this world."

Jane smiled and wiped her mouth with a napkin.

"Your kingdom is really similar to where I studied. England is quite partial to tea time as well, so I learned basic etiquette that way."

After tea and lunch the two began to explore the city, dress shops where the prince made her try on several gowns and he ended up purchasing them all for her seeing as she looked lovely in them all. Accessories, shoes, makeup, perfume. By the time they were down the foot men had to make three trips back to carriage to put all their purchases away, the sun was beginning to set and the white marble buildings all had a rosey pink hue to them from the falling sun.

"We got everything on the list Rose provided, I forgot how much women needed, this trip reminds me of when my mother would drag me along shopping… this was much more enjoyable though."

Jane's feet were sore as she looked at the streets that were slowly becoming more empty, then she noticed a shop with a lot of greenery in front of it. Jane let go of the prince's arm wandering over to get a closer look to realize she had found a plant shop.

"Oh how lovely."

She whispered, as she touched a flower she had never seen before. The small purple flower smelled like a well dressed man and it was giving off a slight light as the sun began to sink deeper into the horizon.

"We can go take a look if you like."

Prince Beau knelt down stating his offer right next to her ear making Jane jump startled, the prince placed both his hands on her shoulders from behind to steady her.

"Y-You startled me."

She turned around in attempt to give the prince a stern look, but failed miserably when she locked eyes with him. Beau lifted her chin with a gentle finger all he could smell was a lovely perfume that made his head foggy.

"Goodness you two got caught in the lover's violet aroma!"

A curvy red headed woman came shuffling forward waving at the air to disperse the flowers scent which clear the pair's senses. Jane pulled away taken aback by their intimate position her heart pounding loudly in her ears. Beau cleared his throat and took out a handkerchief to dab his forehead with.

"Don't be shy you two, that plant's magical scent only works if there is some kind of connection between the people who come in contact with it. And with your reaction you two make a fine couple."

As if she couldn't turn any more red Jane felt her face become unbearably hot.

"U-Um is this a plant shop?"

The store keeper smirked at the two.

"Aye it is, are you looking for anything in particular?"

Jane shook her head touching the leaves of a monstera.

"They're all so beautiful, you do a fine job taking care of them all. I study plants for a living but there are several I've never seen before."

The store keeper looked at Jane curiously. She didn't seem to be magic folk, nor a fairy. But she watched as the young girl entered the shop and was prattling a bunch of information to the houngan that followed close behind, and when she didn't know what something was she would stop to examine it.

"Mortals never hold much interest of plant life seeing as they are used for magic for the most part."

Jane looked up stunned, did they not use plant and herbs for natural medicines? Were diseases cured with a simple spell? She then noticed a book shelf full of different sized books.

"Are these for sale?"

She pulled off Stonia's guide to magical plant life.

"Yes they are, would you like some recommendations?"

Beau stood back and watched as Jane began to pile one book after another onto the counter. The entire day she didn't seem the slightest bit interested in all the clothes and womanly essentials he had purchased but her face was now lit up as she grabbed several books.

"We can order you some stationary to go along with your new studies."

Jane looked up from the book she was looking at and gave the prince the most breath taking smile he had ever seen.

"I would like that very much, your grace."