“I like your thinking, girlie.” Marigold’s chest heaves with her laughter.
“It’s actually very malleable,” Astrid says. “Try it.”
I gently caress the soft fabric across my chest. It sways, brushing aside to reveal my breast. I release my hand and it snaps back.
“If you want it off for good, gather it and pull.”
“Alright.” I turn one last time to look in the mirror. I barely recognize myself.
“You could be mistaken for the Princess of Thorns,” Marigold coos.
“Don’t say things like that,” Astrid hisses. “And don’t let the master hear you.”
But it gives me an idea. I rush over to my bag with all my most precious treasures and carefully pull out the thorn crown Caspian gifted me at the Winter Solstice Ball. I place it on my head. “Did someone say Princess of Thorns?”
A knock sounds on my door, and we all jolt.
“Rosalina?” It’s Ezryn. “Are you almost ready? We’re set to depart.”
“One moment,” I call.
“Here, wear this.” Marigold fastens a heavy cloak around my shoulders, pulling the hood over my hair.
“Thanks.” I quickly grab my bag. “It’s probably cold out there.”
“That,” Marigold says, “and if the princes see you dressed in such a fashion, they’re not going to let you out of this keep.”
Wemakeourwayto the ruined library. Caspian had suggested a place where no one would see our thorn-ridden passage, and Farron agreed this would be the best spot. The rest of the Autumn royals think we’re returning to Castletree for the full moon, so nobody will be looking for us.
Moonlight illuminates the broken pillars, and ash wafts in the breeze. Tension shivers through the group as Farron pulls the thorn seed from his pocket, then kneels, digging a hole in the ash.
Keldarion fixes me with a stern glare. “You do not leave our side. One of us must always be with you. Do you understand, Rosalina?”
I nod, wringing my hands together. Nerves flutter in my stomach. I have no idea what to expect from this party.
The Winter Prince then settles his gaze on the others. “She is not to be alone.”
Ezryn and Dayton both nod.
Farron stands, stepping back from the seed he’d buried. “Here goes nothing.”
A sharp crackle of magic shudders through me. Giant thorn vines burst forth from the earth, looking so much like the ones that ensnare Castletree, a painful longing for home pangs in my chest.
The thorns twine around each other to form an arch. As soon as they connect, a ripple of enchantment flows down to the ground, resembling a wavering mirror.
“The way to the Below is open.” Ezryn says.
I step forward, placing a palm on the thorns. “This passage goes both ways.”
“Thank fuck for that,” Dayton says. “I don’t want to spend a moment longer in that place than we have to.”
My fingers dig into the plant. I know it must open on both sides so we can return home, but something doesn’t sit right with me.
“Thank you,” Farron says softly. “Thank you all for doing this with me.”
Dayton places a hand on his shoulder, and Ez follows his lead. Kel steps forward next and says, “We will bear this burden with you.”
“We stand with you, Farron,” I say.
