The Awakening of Gardenia

Chapter Six

I'm just about to leave to meet the King when a loud knock sounds at my door. I fight the urge to roll my eyes and ignore the banging until it sounds again and again.

After taking a deep breath, I move towards the door, unlatching the lock and opening it wide. "Mother," I say, my tone both relieved and clipped.

She pulls me into a hug, suffocating me with love I don't deserve. "I was so worried about you. One more second and I was going to go out and find you myself. Never make me worry like that again!" Her words were rushed as she squeezed me tighter.

I gently patted her on the back, urging her to let go and allow me to breathe. "I'm sorry, I was just out. I thought I told you." My words were as dishonest as they could be, but they sounded genuine.

She gave me a look that said she didn't believe me, but her eyes softened once they met mine. "If you met someone you would tell me, right? I know I'm probably embarrassing but I want us to be honest with each other."

"I promise. But I haven't, not yet anyway. And you're not embarrassing. However, I am meeting Alissa and I'm already running a bit late. I'll be back soon, love you."

"Love you." With one last hug, I was on my way.

****

The air was cold and the wind whispered secrets I couldn't quite make out. Darkness engulfed Gardenia and the only hint of light came from the streetlights that illuminated the cobble path I was currently taking. My footsteps were soft and fast, as I wanted no one to catch me at this absurd hour, asking questions I wouldn't be able to answer unsuspiciously.

The forest I was bout to turn down was only darkness and for a split second, I hesitated. Was I making the right decision? That thought was probably the most sane thought I'd had so far but still, it wasn't enough to deprive me from going down this path.

The mud left from the rain stuck to my sneakers and I continued to keep my footsteps light. I'd only visited Canna River once or twice and was unfamiliar with the territory. I didn't know much about this King, but I had an inkling he wouldn't choose a foreign place to meet.

I started to hear the soft rhythm of water flowing and decided that would be my best bet. I continued to follow it until it got louder and louder and -

"One more step and you'll fall in." I immediately paused. I looked around for the familiar voice but only when I had sticks break did I look in the right direction. The King leaned against a tree, watching me with a look of mischief and wickedness, as he carelessly threw a dagger in his hand.

"Finally," He said with an overdramatic sigh, finally standing up straight. "I thought I specifically told you not to be late." I start to move towards his direction as his eyes briefly move up and down my body before latching onto my eyes, looking completely uninterested.

I check the watch on my wrist. "It's been one minute. That's hardly late."

"Well unlike you, my time is precious and I don't have any to waste." He towered over me and looked down on me like I was nothing more than a peasant. My patience was wearing thin.

"I don't have to be here, you know? But unlike you, I have a heart and help people when they ask. If you think you can walk all over me, think again. You asked for my help and I said yes. Just know that the offer can be retracted."

"I guess you are helping me," he said and I started to wear my winning grin until he spoke again. "But if it was out of the kindness of your heart you wouldn't want anything in return. And I do have something to give you in return. Something worth more than what you doing for me now."

My heart dropped along with my smile and the glint of sinful secrets lingered in his eyes. "I thought I got to choose what I got in return," I spoke wearily.

"You did. But I changed my mind and I think you would want this much more anyway... Let's just say I'll be doing you a favour."

"What kind of favour?"

"A magical one," he took two steps closer to me and I took two back. His smile was devilish. "One that will change you forever." he took two more steps and I returned the favour, once again taking two steps back. His grin turned cockey. "Do I make you nervous?" He asked, looking both curious and arrogant.

"Only because I don't trust you," I quipped and his grin disappeared, along with any traces of playfulness. His eyes darkened and he took two steps forward.

Once again, I was going to follow this dance we were doing, but what I didn't realise was how close I had gotten to the edge. My foot slipped and just as I was about to hit the water a shadow pulled me up instead.

"Trust me now?" The King said, his voice a mix of smug and impatience. But my mind wasn't on trust right now.

"It's true." My voice was barley above a whisper but I could tell he heard it when hes eyes filled with confusion. I continued, "I thought the stories were... well stories. But its true. You guys have the power of shadows."

I wasn't sure if that made me for fearful or excited but either way, both emotions bubbled up inside of me.

He shook his head, look at me as if I was ridiculous. "We have many things at Nightshade, but shadows isn't one of them. Those are old folk tales."

"Then what was that?" I asked, more confused than I have ever been in my whole life. "How did you just save me from falling into the water?"

"It wasn't me," he replied.