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the path of the streams. It appeared that a series of aqueducts
     brought water to the roof of the citadel using dozens of cisterns that carried the
     water up from the river.
    All the levels were built at a slight angle, which allowed the water to flow downhill,
     irrigating the entire garden. What wasn’t used in the garden was directed back to
     the river when it spilled over the side of the building in a waterfall. The design
     was genius.
    Huge shade trees soared high above the building walls, and it gave me the sense of
     being at the top of a very great mountain. I examined the tender new growth of tiny
     plants wet with evening dew, plucked a tiny budding flower and tucked it behind my
     ear, and admired a section of new plantings the garden cultivator had just put in.
    The warm night breeze lifted the leaves on the trees, making them dance and sigh as
     if they were alive. The sound of it teased my senses. I walked through a multi-level
     maze only to emerge in a grove of perfect fruit trees full of ripening spheres of
     all descriptions.
    Beyond that was a small, evergreen meadow—the lush grass a perfect place for taking
     a picnic lunch. How romantic it would be to dine there under the shadow of a tree
     with the murmuring of the fountain and the view of the city. I lay on the grass with
     my hands behind my head and stared up at the countless constellations filling the
     night sky, thinking that if I was incredibly lucky, I might be soon looking at the
     same view from the deck of a ship taking me and Isha to another land.
    Wanting to explore more, I left the soft blades of grass and continued on. Flowers
     seemed to spring from every spare patch of ground. I plucked an orange marigold and
     tossed it into the stream of water, laughing softly as I followed it. The small flower
     danced and bobbed until I came to the edge of the garden where it tumbled over the
     wall and disappeared.
    This part of the garden was on level with the circuit wall, and I had a clear view
     of the citadel’s battlements and the soldiers who stood on guard. Not wanting to leave
     but knowing I should make my way back to my bed, I slowly wound up the levels, taking
     in every sight, scent, and sound. Reluctant to continue on, I stopped at the central
     fountain once again and discovered a water plant I’d never seen before.
    It looked like a lotus blossom, but instead of the common pink or white color, the
     flower had lavender hues. It was the loveliest thing I’d ever seen. Tempted to pluck
     it from the water yet knowing if my father found it in my room he’d know what I’d
     been up to, I instead examined it from all angles, committing it to memory.
    So intent was I in my study that I didn’t hear footsteps until the person approaching
     was almost directly behind me. I froze and looked down at my arm, letting out a little
     sigh of relief that I was still invisible. Still, the person came closer and only
     stopped just short of running into me. Biting my lip, I took a careful step away,
     wincing as my foot knocked a small pebble.
    Quickly looking up, I found myself staring into the golden eyes of the man I’d noticed
     earlier at the party, the one seemingly disinterested in the king’s announcement regarding
     my eligibility for marriage. His eyes narrowed as he looked down at the place where
     the small stone had rolled, and then he scanned the trees surrounding us. After a
     moment, he let out a small sigh and placed both hands on the rim of the fountain.
    He stared into the water as if he were trying to divine his future and didn’t seem
     to like what he saw. Then he noticed the purple flower I’d recently dropped, scooped
     it up into his hands, and brought it to his face. He inhaled deeply and sighed. I
     found the scent of the man standing next to me more intoxicating than that of the
     flower. Unlike the other men downstairs who carried with them the scent of the alcohol
     they had drunk or the garlic they had