While the pink-floral vines remained still, the honeysuckle stirred, a sign I’d aroused its curiosity, whereas the jasmine rustled, as if inquiring why I’d run away.
Heaviness pressed against my chest. “That’s quite a long story. You see, my father—well, he—”
No, I couldn’t say the words out loud; it would make my situation all the more real. Besides, surely these plants wouldn’t understand about debt and neglectful fathers and the disadvantages that came from being an unwanted merchant’s daughter, especially one who had nothing to recommend her.
But the vines were still awaiting an answer. I sighed. “Father did something cruel, but I shan’t say any more. Won’t you please help me? I simply can’t let my father find me.”
The vines began to rustle almost excitedly before gathering together, as if to converse privately; the whispers of wind almost sounded like hisses which grew steadily louder, as if the vines were arguing. I waited with bated breath, hoping they’d concede to let me pass, for I simply had to see what lay beyond the wall. Not to mention I was growing tired from my late-night excursion.
The whispering breeze suddenly ceased. Before I could inquire after their decision, the vines immediately parted, wriggling and twisting to form themselves into a giant archway.
I stared in wonder before turning my awe towards the vines, watching me almost expectedly, as if seeking a compliment. I happily humored them. “How clever of you.”
They bristled rather smartly.
My heart lifted as I turned my attention towards the palace grounds. “Does this mean you’ll let me stay and rest for a while?” Surely they’d only allow such a thing if the royal family wasn’t in residence; I didn’t want to risk encountering anyone that Father could later question as to my whereabouts.
At their bobbing nod, I took a step forward, but some of the honeysuckle vines blocked my way, allowing the jasmine to creep forward to search my skirts and muddy boots to ensure I wasn’t armed. When they didn’t find anything suspicious, they caressed the cuts they’d made on my hands. At their touch, I thought I sensed faint whispers of an indiscernible language, one that faintly tickled my thoughts with what sounded like an apology.
“It’s quite alright,” I assured them. “I’m used to scrapes and bruises. I get them a lot when I let my curiosity get the better of me.”
I lightly touched one of the pink flowers and a name caressed my thoughts: bougainvillea. Hmm, that must be what it was called. Perhaps its proper introduction and apology meant we could be friends…and surely my new friends would allow me to pass through.
As if sensing my thoughts, the honeysuckle and jasmine vines retreated into the giant archway, beckoning me to enter. It was all the invitation I needed. After a grateful smile, I stepped into the magical palace gardens.
I froze in the entrance and looked around wide-eyed, trying to take in all the vibrant colors and variety of plants that greeted me. I heard rustling behind me and turned to see that the vines had once again morphed into the palace wall. I faced forward. The gate opened up to a twisting path that looked to have been formed from fallen leaves. I hesitantly stepped onto it, expecting the path to crackle beneath my feet, only to discover it was made up of cobblestones.
The path twisted and turned in several different directions, with the main one leading up to the steps to the castle’s front doors…but I didn’t dare venture there. Instead, I turned my attention to the other paths. Trees, hedges, and wildflowers lined each one, with the trees forming a canopy of branches over the paths—some laden with colorful blossoms, some dipped in autumn, and yet others comprised solely of vibrant green leaves. Vines wove around the trunks, and flowers grew in a halo around the bases. Each enchanting pathway promised infinite possibilities.
I excitedly started down the first path I came across, one lined with shrubs whose leaves were the colors of spring, twisting and turning as if guiding me to a picturesque garden where the flowers were arranged in ornate patterns that grew in bright hues, many of which I’d never encountered before. It took my breath away.
I explored first this garden, then another just as wondrous, each like a dream, a place where time itself seemed to stand still. So it was quite shocking when I eyed the sun slowly rising higher in the sky and realized several hours had passed.
The spell cast by the surrounding enchantment broke. As marvelous as these gardens were, I began to question my trespassing through the royal grounds and arriving at the palace uninvited. Despite the guards’ permission to enter, it would be foolish to linger, which meant I had to leave if I had any hope of staying ahead of Father. Already my explorations had wasted most of the time and distance I’d managed to put between us.
So foolish, Maren.
I began to make my way back to the gate, but paused when the hedge I’d been walking alongside suddenly shifted to inch across the path, blocking my way.
I pressed my hands to my hips. “What are you doing? I must be on my way.” But my complaint was halfhearted, for despite it being the sensible thing to do, I didn’t really want to leave.
The tall hedge refused to move, so I searched for an alternate exit. I caught sight of a long path to my right, overgrown with wildflowers. As if my noticing it had been a signal, the flowers parted in invitation. The path twisted towards a weeping willow, whose lilac and rose-colored dangling branches swayed gently in the breeze, a lure that beckoned me closer.
Curious as to what lay hidden beyond, I heeded their invitation and pushed the branches aside to step into a vast clearing. My breath caught. The entire grove was aglow, a ballroom for the waltzing sunlight, which glistened off the plants and leaves that appeared to be made of colored gems. While the jeweled fauna was enough to seduce me into exploring further, my attention was immediately captured by the rosebush growing in the center.
It was unlike any I’d ever seen—roses blossomed in a rainbow of colors, aglow as if light radiated from each petal. Transfixed, I stepped closer and brushed the glittered petals with my fingertip. They shimmered and glistened at my touch, vibrating with magic.
I had to have one of these roses, a memento not only of my time in these wondrous gardens but of the day I took control of my own life, a gift offered by the garden itself. I examined each one, searching for the perfect one to pluck. Rather than selecting a rose blooming in a rare, almost mystical color, I chose one of the deepest red—beautiful, yet common enough not to be missed.
The garden made no move to stop me; in fact, it seemed to be holding its breath in anticipation as I reached a hesitant hand out towards the beautiful flower. My fingers grazed the petals as I ran them along the thorny stem before hooking them securely near the base of the rose several inches below the blossom. With a wavering breath, I gave it a sharp twist and snapped it off.
The moment it broke free, a fierce breeze blew around me, causing glistening magic to rise from the flower and twirl through the air before seeping into my chest. Instantly, I felt as if an invisible thread had woven itself between me and the rose, connecting us together.
The feeling vanished almost as quickly as it had appeared. The breeze settled and the magic faded, leaving nothing but the flower cradled in my hand. But before I could tuck it safely away, a fierce roar echoed across the grounds.
My breath hitched as I spun towards the sound. It appeared I wasn’t alone after all.