Chapter 68: A Strange Safe Place
The world spun. It was a dizzying feeling that made it hard for Alina to breathe. One second, they were in the Whisperwood Forest.
The next, they were in a beautiful, sunny garden, even though it was almost evening. They stood in a huge, perfect garden with carefully shaped bushes and sweet-smelling magnolia trees.
Alina’s heart jumped. This isn’t Crestport... it’s... She saw a marble fountain she knew. The palace garden! This was where she’d first met Prince Eric, which felt like a super long time ago.
Panic washed over her. She had wanted to go to the Baron’s house, not suddenly appear in the super-guarded royal palace. Around her, the other rescued people stared, looking shocked and confused.
Their bare feet sank into grass so soft it felt like velvet. They had no idea where they were.
Eric blinked, looking at the familiar garden with surprise. He felt a little guilty. He had snuck out of the palace early that morning without telling anyone. He knew his parents would be worried sick by now, as evening was coming. He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling nervous.
Alina’s father, still holding her mother’s hand tightly, stepped closer to Alina. He looked incredibly tired and very worried. "Alina..." he said, his voice scratchy, "do you... do you know where we are?"
Before Alina could answer, Eric stood up straighter. He forced a smile, trying to calm the confused and scared crowd. "Please," he said, his voice clear in the quiet, "don’t worry. This is the safest place in the whole kingdom. You’re in the royal palace gardens."
Everyone gasped. They looked around, their eyes wide with shock, and then understanding. They were standing on special royal ground, a place most had only heard about in quiet, respectful whispers. The garden was more beautiful than anything they had ever imagined.
Alina’s father squinted at Eric. I’ve seen this young man before, he thought, trying to remember where. The memory was close, but he couldn’t quite grab it.
Suddenly, a loud shout broke the quiet.