Page 12 of Destiny Redeemed
We spent the next hour haunting the streets, perfecting our routine. When a particularly brave soul decided to chase after me, I ducked behind a fruit stand or behind the garbage can, and that one time I even climbed a wall in my gown, making it appear as though I’d vanished into thin air. Their baffled expressions were priceless.
As we made our way back to the palace, still laughing, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction. It wasn’t exactly the height of nobility, but it was the most fun I’d had in ages if I count my years in exile.
“You know, Laurel,” I mused as we slipped back into the secret passage, “I think this little venture of ours might actually work.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Starting a ghost infestation to drive down property values and buy up the neighborhood cheaply? It does seem rather… unconventional.”
I grinned. “Unconventional is my middle name nowadays, it seems. Now, what do you say we plan our next haunting? I’m thinking we need to up our game and do some floating spirits…”
Laurel groaned, but I could see the smile tugging at her lips. “What have I gotten myself into?”
I emerged from the tunnel, still giggling like a child, the warm night air a sharp contrast to the stuffy cold passage. Laurel stumbled out behind me, her cheeks flushed with exertion and mirth.
“I can’t believe we actually pulled that off,” she whispered, her eyes dancing with barely contained laughter.
“Oh ye of little faith,” I smirked, brushing dust off my ghostly white gown. “Never underestimate the power of a good haunting and-”
My words died in my throat as I caught sight of two familiar figures in the moonlit garden. I yanked Laurel behind a nearby alcove, my heart pounding against my ribs.
“What in the-” Laurel’s protest was cut short as I clamped a hand over her mouth.
Peering around the pillar, I confirmed my suspicions. Noah and Rosalind stood mere feet away, engrossed in what appeared to be an intense discussion. Their faces were cast in shadow, but the tension in their postures was unmistakable.
Laurel, having wiggled free of my grip, poked her head around my shoulder. “Is that… Lord Noah and Rosalind?” she whispered, echoing my own thoughts.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. A familiar ache bloomed in my chest, but it wasn’t the sharp pain of jealousy I’d once felt. Instead, it was something softer, tinged with hope.
The hope that I’ll be able to make everything alright.
Suddenly, Noah reached out, catching Rosalind’s hand and pulling her closer. My eyes widened as their faces were mere inches apart now, and I found myself holding my breath.
All I needed now was a glass of wine. This was better than watching those troupes.
“Kiss, kiss, kiss,” I chanted under my breath, bouncing slightly on my toes.
Laurel let out a quiet snort. “You must be the only woman in the whole world to wish her former husband would kiss another.”
I waved a dismissive hand, my eyes still fixed on the scene before us. “Oh, hush. Look at those two lovebirds being in love. It’s about damn time.”
“What are we looking at?”
The low voice in my ear nearly made me jump out of my skin. I began to reply, “We’re watching Noah and Rosa-” before my brain caught up with my mouth. That wasn’t Laurel’s voice.
I whirled around, coming face-to-face with none other than Prince Anderic. A sound escaped me - something between a squeak and a dying cat - and I slapped a hand over my traitorous mouth. Too late, I realized my mistake.
Noah and Rosalind sprang apart at the noise, their heads swiveling in our direction. Panic seized me, and for a moment I flailed around like the ghost I had been acting all night, but then I did the only thing I could think of - I ducked behind Anderic’s broad frame, using him as a human shield.
Anderic, to his credit, didn’t move a muscle, standing there as if he had no fear of getting caught. He simply stood there, one eyebrow raised, as I peeked out from behind his back.
“Meow?” I offered weakly, praying Noah and Rosalind would buy it.
To my immense relief, they seemed to relax, apparently convinced it was just a cat. They shared a nervous laugh before heading off in the opposite direction, hand in hand.Well, it didn’t all go to waste.
I sagged against Anderic’s back, my fingers clutching at his shirt as I let out a long breath. “That was close,” I muttered.
A muffled sound drew my attention, and I looked down to see Laurel sprawled on the ground, shaking with silent laughter. I crossed my arms, glaring at her. “If you’re quite done rolling around down there?”
Laurel pulled herself up, wiping tears from her eyes. “You have to admit, that was far too much fun,” she managed between giggles.
