Page 16 of Journey to the Elderoak
Ava stood and placed her hands over her ears. “Make it stop.”
He laughed and pounded on Raine’s door. “Quiet down, you’re disturbing the princess.”
“She’s just jealous she isn’t getting any!” Raine yelled and the moans resumed.
Her face warmed at his comment, and she rolled her eyes, attempting to hide it.
“Let’s go,” said Casimir.
He held out his arm for her yet again. She looped hers through it without hesitation and they walked down the torch-lit stone hallways.
“They have a beautiful garden,” Casimir said. “I think you’ll love it.”
They wove through the castle, passing a few guards here and there who nodded as they strode by. After ten minutes, they arrived at a set of double stone doors, opening into a stairway.
“More stairs? I don’t know if my legs can handle any more stairs,” Ava groaned.
Casimir stopped in front of her and gestured to his back. “Hop on.”
“What?”
“Come on, I’ll carry you.”
“Like a child getting a piggyback ride?” She laughed.
“I’ve never heard that term, but yes?”
“Okay…”
He knelt lower and she climbed on top of him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He grasped her thighs and pulled her higher as he ascended the stairs.
“This is ridiculous,” she said with a small giggle, and he released a laugh of his own.
She almost let out a groan at the way he smelled, a comforting aroma of cedar and sage. She breathed it in, unable to control herself as she toyed with a strand of his hair. He cleared his throat but didn’t stop her as they continued to climb.
“Your hair is surprisingly soft.”
“I purchase only the highest quality shampoo,” he said.
“Really?”
“No.”
Ava scoffed. “You know, sometimes you can be funny.”
“Oh? When I’m not being extra Casimir-y?”
She laughed. “Exactly.”
Reaching the top, he set her down and she turned away to take in the space, astounded by the beauty. They were at the top of the mountain, with an opening in the ceiling revealing hundreds of stars in the night sky.
The area was packed with trees, shrubs and dozens of night blooming flowers. Large white blossoms were opening in the moonlight and Ava approached one and watched it in fascination. Gravel paths wove through the same trees that grew onthe cliffs outside, and soft white lights glowed along the walkways. Each and every bloom in the garden was a bright white.
“It’s a moon garden,” Casimir said from beside her.
“It’s beautiful.”
They wove through the trees, silent save for the waterfall at the far end of the space, until they reached a balcony carved into the side of the mountain. Stark white flowers reminiscent of wisteria hung along the ceiling, framing the vast view. Ava reached the stone railing and laid her hands along it as she looked across the ocean.
