Page 92 of Dancing for the Minotaur

Taurex gave her a long look.

“You will see. I will only say this—it’s better for you to wait for me and not get into the pool by yourself.”

Terra narrowed her eyes.

“That sounds ominous.”

He shook his head.

“It is only a warning. I just want you to be safe.”

“Do they bite or something?” she demanded, picturing one of the long red blooms opening to reveal tiny, sharp teeth.

But Taurex shook his head again.

“No, of course not.”

“Well, do they sting?” Terra asked.

“No—nothing like that,” he assured her.

“Are they poisonous if you touch them?”

“No. You could touch one or even eat one if you wished to—though it probably wouldn’t taste very good—with no ill effects.”

“Then what do they do?” Terra demanded impatiently.

But Taurex only shook his head again.

“Let’s eat first—then I’ll explain.”

Terra frowned at him.

“You’re enjoying keeping me in suspense,” she accused him.

One corner of his mouth twitched in amusement.

“Perhaps. Or perhaps I just don’t want to shock you.”

“Shock me?” she shook her head and turned back toward the window. How could flowers be shocking? She wanted to ask but she was sure he would just put her off again.

One of the pale white blooms shifted slightly in the breeze—or at least Terra assumed it was the breeze. The broad petals opened a little wider, revealing the soft pink center. Then one of the long red blooms beside it slowly curled upward.

Terra frowned as she watched. Had that thing just moved on its own?

She leaned closer to the glass, staring harder, but the flower became still again.

“Huh,” she remarked, but Taurex was already walking toward the door.

“Come. I need to begin the stew,” he told her. “I cannot wait for you to taste it.”

Terra looked over her shoulder one last time.

“You’re really not going to tell me what the flowers do?”

“No.”

“Why not?”