Blue Moon

Chapter 9

They walked down the corridor and into Lilia’s room. She turned to him smiling,

“it’s one of my last surprises for you tonight but it is out in my courtyard.”

She said pushing open two wooden glass doors with a flourish. Kael gasped. It was absolutely stunning. It was of a medium garden size cornered off by white washed brick walls that were all bordered by small flower beds sporting all sorts of wondrous coloured flowers. There was evergreen grass surrounding a cobble patio that was covered with a wooden awning covered with vine, from it hung dozens of purple candle-lit paper lanterns. He looked down to the left corner where there was a small moss rimmed river that flowed down and went into a black slate rock pool that was encircled by flowers that buds were just opening.

Lilia led him out onto the patio and motioned for him to sit on a bench of a white marble table.

“So what do you think?” lilia asked, eyes twinkling in the candle light. Kael looked around smiling.

“I love it, so calm and peaceful not to mention beautiful.” He said looking into her eyes. She blushed yet again and leaned back on her seat tilting her head to look at the roof.

“I love coming out here and just sitting quietly on the grass. It’s so peaceful.” She said with a content sigh. Kael watched as she jumped up and started moving towards the rock pool.

“I almost forgot to show you!” she said loudly, her voice trailing behind her. Kael stood calmly and ambled over to where she was kneeling on the ground with her white dress pooling around her, shining faintly in the moonlight. Lilia reached up and pulled him down next to her.

“watch.” She said softly, focusing and pointing to the flower buds around the pool. He noticed they were opening inch by inch.

“What on ea-“

“Shh! Watch.”

He hushed and watched as the buds started to open fully, revealing the most stunning luminescent white flowers that had a slight blue tinge spread through their dainty petals. They reminded him of water lilies.

“What are they?” Kael asked silently bewildered.

“They’re my moonflowers. They flower like this every night when the moon is high in the sky. I found them up in the mountains when i went exploring and felt connected to them so i brought them here. I know that sounds weird.” She said self-consciously tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

“No, they’re amazing Lilia.”

“Hehe, thank-you. I knew you would appreciate them.” He looked at her bright face and slowly leaned down to her.

“I really do” he whispered watching how alive she looked at night. He felt her eyes on his lips as he slowly closed the little distance.

Suddenly they whipped around at the intruding sound of a throat being cleared behind them. Lilia let out a long sigh of relief when she saw it was only Aric. He was holding his hands tightly in front of him and looked down sadly at the floor as he spoke, “My Lady, Her Majesty wishes to speak with you in the throne room at once.” Lilia got up in a cloud of fabric and quickly went to follow Aric to where her mother awaited.

Kael sat alone by the pond watching the moon’s reflection rise upon the clear waters, wandering what he should do. He wanted to trust Lilia but had learnt many a hard time that looks and even actions can be utterly deceiving.

As his new resolve set he hastily walked back into Lilia’s cold room and slowly opened the door checking to make sure the long corridor was clear. He walked down the passage with great stealth, sticking to the shadows and moving so silently not even an owl could hear. He tracked his steps recalling his tour from earlier that day and made quick turns avoiding the night servants. He paused behind a huge marbled pillar and spotted the entrance to the throne room. He walked along the shadows until he came across a small side door that Lilia had shown him which was secluded from unwanted eyes. He settled down on the floor, wrapping his coat around him to shroud him in darkness even more but to also guard him from the biting chill waiting in the air. He waited a few moments willing his ears to focus, so he closed his eyes and pressed his ear to the thin door.