Page 20 of Return of the Nutcracker Prince

The red light of sunset filtered through the windows, and he knew time grew short.“Let me show you the throne room and the ballroom.”

“I’d really love to see the gardens.”Her words came out in a rush.“Trixie told me about some things you grow there.Could we see those first?”

Her excitement was adorable.“Of course.I can point out the others on the way.”

They passed through the castle in record time, Klaus pointing certain rooms out as they strolled along.The servants must have all retired for the night, or were keeping out of the way, because they had the palace to themselves.She marveled over the candy jewels framing the door to where his parents held court, admired the tapestries that depicted moments from history.The huge dining hall where he said, “This is where you’ll find us for breakfast tomorrow.”

“Thank you for sending supper up for me.It was very thoughtful.”

Klaus slowed his steps as he approached the courtyard that led to the gardens.“I wanted to introduce you to my world slowly.I have thrown you into a mad situation and I don’t understand how you’re not begging me to take you home.”

“It’s strange.”Clara paused outside the door.“I know you say I’ve been here before, although the memory of it is foggy.But I feel more at home here than I do in my realm.”She looked up at him and searched his eyes.“Isn’t that strange?”

“Perhaps.Perhaps not.”Could it be that she was part Dreamer?Or that the Realm of Dreams had accepted her?

Would she be the first to stay?

Klaus pushed those thoughts away as he took Clara through the courtyard.It was a wide-open lawn, cut with meandering paths and decorated with topiaries shaped to look like subjects of the land.Two Nutcracker soldiers flanked the door.A dwarf stood in the corner and pixies flitted about, all carved from the hedge.

“This is beautiful,” She remarked.

“The orchard and gardens are along this path.”He pointed at the central line of gingerbread pavers.“You want to see where we grow the food?”

“Yes, it’s fascinating.”

The pale blue moons lifted into the sky, and floating orbs of light followed as they strolled through the courtyard.The magic lit their path through the orchard first.

“What are all these?”

“These are sugar plum trees.They’re native to this land, and where the Sugar Plum Fairy title originated.”

Clara gazed up at the fruit in awe.

“Would you like one?There’s a few that are ripe.”

She looked back at him, frowning.“Is that allowed?”

He checked the pathway in both directions, then leaned forward and whispered, “Do you see anyone to tattle on us?”

Shaking her head, she smirked.He reached for a yellow one right above her head, then handed it to her.

“How do you know they’re ripe?”

“The bright color is the final stage,” he answered as she popped the sweet seed into her mouth and groaned.

“I love these, but they’re so hard to find back home.”

“Do you not grow many sweets?”

He waited while she formed words around the hard morsel.

“We grow sugar, but that’s all.Things like sugar plums have to be made by hand.”

“Really?”Klaus wondered how they’d mimicked his country’s native fruit.

Clara nodded, then shook her head when he tried to pick another.“Mother always says I eat too many sweets.”

“Nonsense,” Klaus scoffed.“Sweets are our lifeblood.If a Dreamer doesn’t get enough, they get sick!”He grinned when her eyes grew wide, then sobered.If only she could stay here.

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