That satisfied her. I headed out of my rooms to go find the exit nearest to the gardens. The hall was silent. The only noise was way off in the distance, a dim hum of voices traveling up from the main foyer and the faint clang of guards’ swords as they did their rounds. At least I’d hear them coming.
From what I could remember, the doors that led to the garden were in the receiving room two floors below my chambers. I decided to use the nearest servant stairwell as a shortcut, though Jinky and Ayo would probably have a heart attack if they knew.
I hesitated, listening for anyone walking, but it was completely silent. So I crept down the steps. At the bottom, I entered the hall, then hurried through the long space, dodging all the heavy furniture.
Nobody bothered me the whole way. I went through the glass doors, then took the stone path that curved all the way around the fenced gardens. Along the edges of the palace grounds, I could see guards patrolling, so far away that they looked like little toys, heads bobbing as they walked. When I got to the white iron gate, I slipped inside without opening it all the way and shut it softly behind me.
Beyond the fence, the scene looked like what I pictured when readingThe Secret Gardenyears ago. It looked wild and unkempt, except there were no weeds anywhere, only lush green shrubs and bright, full blooms, and the path itself was neatly edged.
Yes, this was the best place to allow my magic to reveal itself.
There were two white benches near the entrance area, and a few feet ahead, the path split in two. A wooden sign indicated that the rest of the garden was to the left and the hedge maze was to the right.
I wasn’t exactly sure what I was supposed to do, so I decided to wander in the hedge maze for a bit. Also the best way to avoid being seen, I figured.
For a while, it was just me and the chirping of nearby birds, theoccasional chipmunk peeking at me before running away. I ran my hand along the scratchy bushes that made up the walls of the maze and imagined I was a goddess from a Greek myth exploring her kingdom.
I waited to feel something.
Any minute now.
I closed my eyes. Tried to clear my head and listen only to the sounds around me. Maybe the natural environment, the place of my ancestors, would inspire something to stir within.
Nothing.
Frustrated, I walked farther into the maze. I worried I might get lost, but then again, maybe that would actually help. I’d have to use magic to find my way out.
I took turns randomly, until I wasn’t sure which way led back to the exit.
As I headed around another corner, deeper into the maze, I heard a noise. Something moving in the bushes. I held back, making myself as flat against the shrub wall as possible. There was a slight tap of feet against the ground, and then it stopped.
I peeked around the corner. There were two girls, huddled together, whispering. Judging by their gray-and-white dresses, they were palace maids, from either the kitchens or laundry. Why come all the way out here? It could be a secret tryst, but it didn’t seem like that. I strained to hear what they were saying. Not because I was being nosy—well, a little bit—but because I wanted to know if they were talking about me.
Their heads turned. I flattened myself back and held my breath, certain they’d heard me.
I tried to peer through gaps in the bush; I could only see partsof them. One led the other to a bench. Good, they didn’t know I was there.
“Did you hear what Marikit said? She was the one who found him,” I heard one of them say. “She said it wasn’t natural.”
No, their conversation wasn’t about me. They were gossiping about something far more interesting. I inched as far forward as possible without giving myself away.
The other voice added, “I told you. It was the same as the other one.”
“Did you hear about the note he left?”
“What note?”
“Supposedly the king was writing a note when he died.”
“If you ask me, it was dark magic that got him. He was cursed!”
“But all the witches were banished—”
A branch crunched and snapped in the distance. The maids went silent. I was as worried as they were—someone could be sneaking up on me or them. Then one of them said, “Ay! Hali na!”
Their skirts swished as they hurried away. Within seconds, I did the same, making a hasty exit back the way I came.
***
