The Stones of Jade

chapter 5

Her steps seem louder than ever before. All her senses are heightened. Every small creak in the old, polished, wooden floor makes her glance over her shoulder, hoping not to find her brother staring right at her.

Towards the end of the greenhouse is a glass door. The door leads to a path, it is her only way out to the village without anyone recognizing her immediately. She has no clue of her brother's whereabouts. For all she knows, he could be right behind her.

"Asteria?"

Shit.

Asteria's head whips around, nearly making her dizzy from the sudden movement. A few feet away from her stands Mrs. Swan.

"Mrs. Swan, what are you doing out so late?" Asteria squeaks out, more and more of her hope spilling from her body.

The older woman chuckles. "I should be asking you the same thing." With an awkward pause she continues, "I was actually on my way to the library, though I would find some sort of inspiration for your brother's suits, being he is so selective."

Asteria lets out a shaky laugh. "Right. He isn't the easiest person to work with."

"So, what are you doing out so late?"

"I am, um, on my way to the kitchen; my throat is parched, and all of my glasses are filthy." Asteria lies.

The kitchen is almost right next to the greenhouse, but she knows that if she had told the truth, Mrs. Swan would have wanted to accompany her.

"Oh, I'm sorry about that. Well, I will be on my way then." Mrs. Swan stands hesitantly for a second until she turns and makes her exit down the opposite hallway.

The princess lets out a heavy, labored breath.

It was almost as if the universe was reading her thoughts.

Making sure Mrs. Swan turned the corner, Asteria picks up her feet and begins to pace over to the greenhouse. At this point, she has no care for her loud steps, her objective is to leave the castle as quickly as she can, and she won't let her anxiety stop her. If anything, it is pushing her to run.

Opening the door allowing entrance from the greenhouse to the castle, she steps out. Turning slightly, she holds her hand to the door, shutting it slightly, trying to make the least sound she can.

The almost overwhelming scent of the rosemary, thyme, and lavender fill her nose immediately.

The smell is nostalgic, like everything else in the castle, it reminds her of her childhood. Helping her mother clip smalls herbs for her infamous herb bread. Asteria's favorite bread being the lavender bread, a comfort food almost. Oh, if she could be sitting on the windowsill in her room, with a warm slice of lavender bread and a warm cup of coffee in her favorite mug sitting on the small table next to her, reading a book.

She walks through the aisle of herbs and deep red roses, nearing closer to the door.

With a flick of her hand, she lights the candle next to the door. Placed there for the convenience of the queen when she felt like sneaking into the greenhouse during late hours of the night. It just so happens to come in handy for Asteria.

Looking down at the door, there is a rusty lock. A lock that she has no clue where the key is.

She picks the pin holding her hair up out of her hair, letting her light brown waves come crashing down to her shoulders. Shaking her hair back, she mends the pin to form a straight, metal pick.

One thing her father taught her when she was young was how to pick locks. Being king, she had no clue how he knew how to do this. He insisted it could come in handy when she was young. Taking in his words, she decided she would listen. Maybe it would in the future.