Golden light filtered through the garden as Delilah dabbed pink hues onto her canvas, her brushstrokes hesitant.

"It doesn't look right..." she murmured.

Curtis flicked his tail from his spot in the grass. "You're romanticizing it... The sky looked pretty average."

"Yeah. Averagely amazing." Her smile faded. "I missed you, you know."

"It's in my nature to wander," the cat replied. "You could join me, though."

"Oh, Curtis. Don't—"

Her ears twitched at approaching footsteps. Curtis hissed and vanished into the bushes as Billy and Chase emerged, crushing petals underfoot.

"Sorry to disappoint," Billy sneered.

"Billy," Delilah said coolly, "you can't just barge in like this."

"That's how things work here, missy," he shot back. "Where's Baltazar?"

Chase grinned, shuffling cards. "An old friend's in town. He won't like the news."

The bushes rustled as Baltazar appeared. "I've seen him."

"Eveler's after it," Chase added. "Knows where it's buried."

Delilah's ears perked. "Who's—"

"A traitor," Baltazar interrupted. "We act now." He turned to leave, the others following.

Delilah's voice stopped him. "I never agreed to let them trample through here!"

Baltazar didn't look back. "There's business to attend."

"I'm coming with you."

"Dogs are going missing." Baltazar stepped closer, looming. "Outlaws are overtaking the land. You want to risk your life for what? A stroll? You should be smarter than that."

Delilah looked down, the fight draining out of her, leaving only the ache.

Baltazar's voice softened, just barely. "I need you. You're safe here."

Then he was gone, the manor gates screeching shut behind him. Delilah stood there, the pink desert on her canvas glaring back like a taunt—a world she could paint, but never touch.

The garden had never felt so much like a cage.