Meteor Garden Lei Novels & Stories

Ava I followed Lily out into the gardens, the light evening breeze carrying the faint scent of roses and freshly turned earth. Moonlight filtered through the trees, casting flickering shadows across the winding stone paths. Moonrise gardens were just as lovely as Moonstone gardens—if not a bit more manicured. Every pebbled pathway was lined with hedges and shrubs, each one pruned into some sort of fantastical shape or another: an elephant, a heron, a perfectly round sphere.

And even from here, I could see the faint, ethereal glow pulsing from within it. The Moonfire Orchid. I picked the lock on the glass door and slipped inside. It was a simple mechanism. Likely because Lycans relied on strength, not finesse. The air in the sanctuary was warm and thick with the scent of ozone and blooming jasmine. And there, in the center of a raised stone dais, grew the Moonfire Orchid. Its petals were pure silver, glowing with a soft, internal luminescence that seemed to breathe. "Leo," I breathed, tears pricking my eyes. "I found it."

“Unless Yesande has taken up residence in the neighborhood, or unless she’s got someone closer to home keeping an eye on things, you’re going to have to purge the charmer thing, Leo.” Jasmine picked up one of the long sticks that speared the marinated meats and vegetables on the tray nearest her. She moved from the table to the bonfire Keilor had built in the fire pit. The fire was the only light in the darkened and deceptively unprotected garden. Fireflies danced and whizzed through the rare black night, but did nothing to illuminate the six people around the fire.

At first, she thought she was imagining things. Then she saw movement. No. Not one person. Two. Her brows furrowed. Curiosity immediately replaced her sorrow. Who would be wandering around the garden at this hour? Elara narrowed her eyes and stepped closer to the balcony railing, trying to get a better look at the mysterious figures hidden among the moonlit flowers. And the moment she recognized one of them... Her breath caught. It was Leo. Standing in the center of the Moonveil Garden beneath the silver glow of the moon.

Later that afternoon, I wandered through the palace gardens. I liked the gardens. Mostly because nobody expected anything from me there. The moon lilies swayed gently in the breeze. Silver petals shimmered beneath the sunlight. Butterflies drifted between flower beds. Everything looked peaceful. As though the garden existed a heartbeat outside the rest of the world. This was the Lunar Kingdom. Everything here seemed slightly magical. I spotted Maya sitting beneath a flowering tree. A stack of documents rested beside her. She looked annoyed. Which meant she was probably doing queen things.

Leo asked, scanning our surroundings with the vigilance of a predator protecting his territory. The key fit perfectly into a nearly invisible keyhole. When I turned it, the door swung open silently, revealing a hidden greenhouse I never knew existed. Unlike the manicured perfection of the main garden, this space was wild, almost jungle-like in its lushness. Vines crawled across glass walls that were nearly opaque with greenery. Strange flowers I'd never seen before bloomed in impossible colors—blues that shifted to purple when I moved, whites that sparkled like captured starlight.

One Month Later — Estravia, Wexford Lane Grand Hall. The sun cast golden rays across the hills, the wind carrying soft petals through the courtyard like confetti made by nature itself. The garden was in full bloom—white roses, pale lavender, soft pink peonies—all chosen by Raina herself. She stood beneath an arched trellis of wisteria and jasmine, her ivory dress flowing around her like mist. No glitter. No train. Just grace. And across from her, in a perfectly tailored suit with not a single crease out of place, stood Leif Vexley.

“You’ll love it! Arlo’s mother designed it herself, and it’s one of the most beautiful spots in the house.” As they stepped outside into the garden, Lune was immediately struck by the vibrant colors of the flowers and the lush greenery surrounding them. The scent of blooming flowers filled the air, and a small fountain bubbled gently in the center of the space, creating a serene atmosphere. “It’s beautiful,” Lune breathed, taking in the scene around her. “I can’t believe I’ve been missing out on this!” Mary smiled, clearly pleased with Lune’s reaction. “It’s a great place to relax and unwind. Arlo often comes here to think when he needs some time alone.”

The moon is full and high in the sky, illuminating the garden around me with its brilliant glow. I’m standing on a large, round platform that is a large Turkish mosaic and surrounding me are gorgeous flowers in bloom. The garden is filled with colour, each one looking ethereal and majestic in the light of the moon. I never knew the garden looked so stunning. I can see the Kartheca in the distance, but no lights are on, making the castle appear cold and desolate, sending a chill through my bones.

“We’ve just added three new varieties that should bloom…” “Roses.” Celeste’s voice cut across mine. She didn’t even look back. “How utterly predictable.” She turned to Levi. “Tell me you haven’t let the new Luna turn this place into some country cottage disaster.” My jaw clenched. *Predictable.* Like the hours I’d spent researching heirloom varieties meant nothing. Like my blistered hands from pruning were a joke. Levi’s lips curved. “The gardens have won regional awards.” “Regional.” She laughed. “How charming. Levi, you remember the Moonridge sculpture gardens? Those won international recognition. That’s the kind of statement a pack of your caliber should be making.”