Page 195 of Dancing for the Minotaur

She inhaled deeply.

“They smell beautiful.”

“They were selected specifically for human-compatible mating suites,” he told her.

Terra looked at him.

“Please tell me that doesn’t mean they’re related to the pleasure blooms.”

Taurex rumbled laughter.

“They are not.”

“Just checking.”

“I personally requested that no pleasure blooms be grown within three habitation sectors of this suite,” he told her.

Terra laughed.

“Thank you. Now that’s romantic.”

There was a bathing area beyond a screen of hanging vines, complete with a warm waterfall cascading into a shallow stone basin and flowers that produced soap, shampoo and fragrant oils. A small alcove held fruit, drinks and what Taurex explained was a special sweet, fermented beverage traditionally shared by newly Joined couples, although he assured her it was mild enough that neither of them would become intoxicated.

But it was the bed that captured Terra’s attention immediately.

It occupied most of the center of the suite and was enormous even by Monstrum standards—a broad oval platform formed from intertwined roots and covered with a thick mattress of living moss so soft it looked more like clouds than vegetation. Thousands of small blush-pink flowers were scattered across the surface, their petals open and glowing faintly from within.

Terra stopped several feet away and pointed at the flowers.

“What do those do?”

Taurex’s ears twitched.

“They are harmless. They are called silara blossoms. They grow only in mating domiciles.”

Terra eyed them suspiciously.

“Uh-huh. Tell me more.”

“They do not possess tendrils,” he offered.

“That’s a good start. Go on.” She made a motion with one hand.

“They cannot move independently,” he said.

“Even better.” She nodded. “But what else do they do?”

“They release a mild compound when touched by bare skin. It increases circulation and heightens tactile sensitivity,” he told her.

Terra frowned.

“They heighten sensitivity? How much?”

Taurex’s golden eyes were suddenly half-lidded.

“Enough to be pleasurable.”

A flutter went through Terra’s stomach.