Luna drew in a deep breath, steadying her nerves. Emily should be here soon. In the meantime, she bunched the blankets in the bed and positioned a pillow under the covers to make it seem like she was curled up fast asleep, then she put a bunch of open books beside the blanket bundle, attempting to make it appear like she had dozed off studying.
Emily waltzed into her room minutes later, wearing a simple green dress accessorized with a golden clip and her brown hair braided to the side. She gave Luna a once over and, with an approving nod, announced, “I told our parents you’re studying at the library all day, working on a report we have due, and William thinks you are studying in your room. As long as you get back here at a reasonable time, no one should come looking for you.”
“Are you worried about the extra guards around the palace?”
“You underestimate me, sister.Ican be quite the distraction.”
“Then there is only one more decision to make . . .” Luna said, “Do you think I should bring an umbrella, or wear this massive hat?”
Emily glanced at the big black hat, eyes narrow, giving away her thoughts. Luna hadn’t mentioned it was a gift from Prince Kieran, but it was rather obvious who it was from. After all, who else would have given her such an elaborate gift?
If Emily had any opinions, she kept them to herself. Instead, she shook her head and said, “I think either option is going to get you recognized. Your illness is only a concern if you get hurt, not from being in the sun, right? You’re already breaking a rule. Why not break another?”
That was all the encouragement she needed. Luna placed the hat back on top of her wardrobe before strolling to the window and sticking her head outside.
The coast was clear. Not a soul in sight.
Luna hopped out the window with Emily following right behind her. They had decided last night to use a window, for the same reason they decided to avoid using the palace gates. Less chance of bumping into someone.
Emily led her the long way around their house, skirting down behind the other residential buildings. Luna trailed close behind, keeping her gaze down and walking with purpose, hoping to appear like a lowly servant.This early in the morning, there wasn’t anyone awake who would care to question why Emily was running an errand.
They headed towards the western gardens. The sun hadn’t left the horizon yet, which meant they were on schedule. Soon, there would be a shift change, and if they timed their distraction right, there would be a short window where no one was watching the wall. Any guards that were watching would hopefully be fatigued and less observant considering they had been awake all night.
Luna hadn’t returned to these gardens since her encounter with the shadow unicorn, and she tried her best not to think of that now. By the time they reached the end of the pathway, Luna was nearly bouncing with excitement. Just beyond the surrounding woods was the wall, and just over that was her freedom.
As they approached, Luna could see the giant trees with massive branches that grew close to the wall. The plan was to climb up one of the larger trees and use its branches to get over. Luna slipped into the woods, leaving Emily alone in the garden. She found a tree to hide behind and crouched down low, attempting to become as concealed as possible. Daring to peek around the trunk, Luna watched as Emily took off one of her dangling gold earrings and tossed it into the flowerbed.
Immediately, Emily dropped to her knees and began frantically wailing, “My earring! My earring! It’s gone!” Emily’s hands sifted through dirt, tearing out flowers left, right, and center. With tears welling in her eyes, she cried out, “How will I live on?!” She threw her head back and screamed to the sky. “Someone help! My life is over! It’s gone. It’s GONE!”
Luna stifled a giggle with her hand. Emily’s exaggerated ‘distressed damsel’ act was utterly outrageous, but if she wasn’t careful, she would be found and ruin everything. Meanwhile, her sister’s crying intensified, escalating into hysterical sobs.
A nearby guard rushed over to her. “What is wrong, m’lady?” His voice was soft and he knelt beside Emily, his hands outstretched, ready to help her to her feet.
She swatted him away and continued to search through the dirt like a rabid squirrel looking for an acorn. “I lost my earring,” she sobbed, tears flowing down her cheeks like rain. “It was a gift from Prince Kieran.”
“I’m sure the prince will understand, m’lady. Come, let me help you inside.”
She violently shook her head, her braid whipping around her. “No! You don’t understand. It was his mother’s. He’s never going to forgive me!”
The guard visibly stiffened.
“You have to help me,” Emily cried, grabbing his pant leg. “He cannot find out.”
The guard nodded in agreement, and before Luna could blink, he was on the ground searching for Emily’s ‘lost’ earring.
Time to get moving.
As soundlessly as she could, Luna snuck away from her hiding spot. Crouching, she dashed from tree trunk to tree trunk. Once she was far enough out of sight, she launched into a full-out run, the shadows from the trees covering her as she headed to the wall. Her first taste of freedom was so close now, and she thought she might burst with glee.
The wall was ten feet high, which didn’t seem very tall until she was standing directly in front of it. Luna surveyed the area. No guards.Good.Emily had accurately predicted her distraction working.
Luna’s gaze swept the trees, searching for branches strong enough to hold her weight. Not far off, she found the perfect one—a tree with low-hanging limbs that formed a natural ladder, leading straight to the top of the wall. Perfect.
She’d just have to be careful. A fall could shatter bone or worse—cause bleeding, which would be fatal for her.
She exhaled, rolling her shoulders.Not a problem.She simply wouldn’t fall.
Inching over to the tree, she wrapped her arms and legs around, hugging it. Her nails dug into the bark while her flats scrambled for a foothold. She barely made it an inch off the ground before she slid down the smooth trunk and landed on her bottom. Apparently, her rather pampered life had not prepared her for an adventure of climbing trees.
