The carnations tilted themselves towards the window, where the sun had sunk lower in the sky while I’d been eating my meal.
“I don’t care that it’s dark,” I said, guessing its concern. “After all, I spent half the night traipsing the woods without incident.” I started for the door but was blocked by another plant, this one occupying the space between the door and the wardrobe. Before I could protest, it opened the bureau and retrieved my shawl, which it draped gently across my shoulders.
I stared at the plants in wonder. They’d shown me far more kindness after a brief acquaintance than I’d ever received from Father or my governess. It almost made it difficult to leave. But I had to.
With a muttered thank you, I cracked the door open and peered into the shadowy corridor, half expecting guards to be flanking the door to prevent my escape, but it was abandoned. I clutched my satchel close and crept down the hallway, guided by the light flickering from the torches lining the walls.
My footsteps were muffled by the rugs lining the stone floors, making it easy to be stealthy. I kept my eyes peeled for any servants, but just like the journey to my bedroom hours earlier, I encountered no one save several plants, who stilled as I passed as if watching me attentively, although thankfully they made no move to stop me.
The corridors were a twisty labyrinth, but I’d paid careful attention to the route when Prince Briar had escorted me earlier, so I had no fear of getting lost. Left, right, down that hallway, another right, another left… The towering oak front doors loomed ahead. I slowed as I neared, warily eying the guards rigidly blocking my path, the first human inhabitants I’d seen within the palace other than the servants who served me.
“Good evening,” I said brightly. “Might I have permission to take a stroll before bed?”
They eyed my satchel suspiciously but must have been told to treat me with deference, for they stepped aside without comment. I smirked as I flounced past them. Just like when I’d run away from the manor, escaping now was all too simple.
Outside, night had fully fallen, shrouding everything in darkness. The nearly full moon provided enough silverly light to easily maneuver my way down the steps and up the path that led to the exit. The plants lining the path bobbed as I passed, seeming both curious about this stranger and excited to make my acquaintance. Tempting…but I had to leave tonight if I had any hope of staying ahead of Father, lest he capture me and deliver me to Lord Brone as if I were nothing more than one of his commodities.
I reached the vines, who lifted themselves up in anticipation of a confrontation. But I was equally prepared for a battle of wits. I pressed my hands on my hips. “You can’t keep me a prisoner. It’s grossly unjust to punish me for a crime you tricked me into committing.”
They didn’t budge, but simply stared at me.
“Please, you must release me. I’m certain my family is worried.” I wasn’t above begging or lying in order to gain my freedom.
A honeysuckle reached out to lightly caress me. We know you’ve run away, so we’ve granted you shelter.
Drat, I’d forgotten I’d played off the sympathies of the vines on the other side in order to enter the gardens in the first place.
I switched strategies. “I could never impose on the crown prince; he has many duties to fulfill and I fear that my presence would only distract him. Besides, if I stay here, surely my father will come looking for me…”
We’ll keep you safe. The honeysuckle gave my hand a little pat before withdrawing. Clearly, the vines had no intention of releasing me. Stubborn things.
I heaved a frustrated growl before looking around for another means of escape. Nearby stood a majestic willow growing near the wall, one I could easily climb in order to scale over the top. I grinned. Perfect.
I readjusted my satchel and started for the tree. The vines immediately began tittering, whether in agitation or worry, I wasn’t sure. I leapt and grabbed the lowest bough to hoist myself up, but before I could climb any higher the tree moved, leaning away from the wall.
I gasped. “What are you doing?”
It inched even further away. I scrambled up the tree, hoping I could reach the top before I was too far from the wall to climb over…but the willow was faster. By the time I was level with the top of the wall, we were leaning several yards away, too far to jump.
I growled in frustration. “Your mischief won’t discourage me. The grounds are vast. I’ll simply find another tree, and if that one pulls the same trick, I’ll find another way to escape. Don’t think you can keep me trapped here against my will.”
I began to climb down, but I’d only gone a few feet when a jasmine vine untangled itself from the others to coil around my waist and pull me from the tree. My stomach lurched as I gave a startled yelp.
“Put me down.”
The vine obediently lowered me but made no move to release me, even as I stumbled and fell to the ground. The others snaked over and began to twist around my ankles. I tried to shake them off, but to no avail.
“Release me at once. You can’t keep me a prisoner. I won’t let you.”
I struggled to pry away the vines immobilizing my limbs, but they held firm. My frustration mounted, as did my sense of helplessness, as suffocating as the vines entangling me.
Approaching footsteps sounded along the cobblestones. I didn’t even need to turn around to know who was approaching. “Good evening, Your Highness.”
The footsteps paused, and I reluctantly turned towards him. He held a glowing lantern, whose light illuminated his bewildered expression. I was undoubtedly quite a sight—ratty hair, tangled skirts, and held captive by vines.
He remained still, but a wry smile slowly appeared, as if he found my capture amusing. I released an annoyed huff. “A little help would be greatly appreciated.”
He narrowed his eyes but made no move to assist me. “The guards informed me you were likely up to mischief. I can see that they weren’t mistaken.”
I sighed in defeat. I should have known the guards at the front doors would report my suspicious behavior.
The prince’s look was far too knowing. “You tried to escape, didn’t you?”
As tempting as it was, there was no use lying. “Can you blame me? I’d have thought you’d be in support of such a plan considering you don’t want me here almost as much as I don’t want to stay.” I made another attempt to tug off the vines coiled around my ankle, but they only tightened. “Let me go,” I snapped. Naturally they ignored me.
“As I’ve told you several times already,” Prince Briar said, “you can’t escape, not after you plucked a rose.”
“It seems far too cruel a punishment for such an offense,” I said.
“Might I remind you that I’m not the one holding you captive…or weren’t you listening the other times I told you?”
“Unfortunately, listening isn’t one of my strengths.” I gave another futile tug on the vines before giving up and glaring at the prince. “Whether I’m your prisoner or the gardens’, I’d prefer to serve my sentence free from being tied up.”
“Although your current predicament is one of your own making, I’ll heed your wishes.” He stepped forward to give the vines a stern—if slightly indulgent—look. “Release her. There’s no need to keep her entangled; she can’t leave the garden.”