The Gardener, Road thought. She wouldn't have expected someone so fond of flowers to be so powerful. Landscaped gardens with a stately home were one thing, but someone here had taken the time to install insects and birds in their underground enclave.

Partner, though. There were connotations to that word. They came as a pair, it meant. One was always associated with the other.

"And he's your partner?" she asked, stressing the last word just so because, well, there were partners, and there were partners. One type worked together, the other exchanged rings.