I try to push my pride aside, the desires of my own stupid heart. “But can’t you see? It’s so much bigger than you and me. We could… we could try to break your curse right now. You could get your full magic back and help heal Castletree. Maybe even stop the frost in Autumn—”
He gives a scoff, as if the fate of Castletree and the realms are meaningless to him.
I grit my teeth, holding back the urge to hit him in his big, broad, stupid chest. “I know I’m not exactly what you wanted. But you care about me, at least a little. You protect me and feed me, and you sent me home so I’d be safe. I know that. Would it really be such a hardship to just spend one night with me?”
It flashes in my mind: shedding my clothes in this tower, his mouth kissing every inch of my skin. I want his powerful body to move with mine. I want every piece of him. It would break my heart to give myself to someone for one night who clearly doesn’t want this bond. But for Castletree, for the Enchanted Vale, I’d do it. Even if it would break all of me.
Heat blossoms between us as his gaze rakes over my body, and I wonder if his thoughts mirror my own. Then Kel moves, grabbing me and pulling me close to him. His stare is so intense, I think for a moment he’s going to do it—rip my clothes off and have me here on this floor.
I’m yours, I’m yours, I’m yours.
His eyes squeeze shut, and he brings his lips to my ear. “Let me make something perfectly clear, Rosalina. I would rather fuck every man and woman in the Enchanted Vale before making love to you. And a thousand armies on my doorstep could not compel me to break this curse.”
I push away from him, my heart shattering. The rejection feels like a physical blow, and tears sting the corners of my eyes. How can he be so callous? So cruel? My fists clench at my sides, and I take a deep breath, willing myself to be strong. “What did you want, Kel? Did you want me to stay in Orca Cove? Get married to someone else and have his babies? To forget all about you?”
If my words have any effect on him, they do not show on his face. “Yes. You shouldn’t have returned.”
“You’ll never want me…”
He steps forward, and the whole tower seems to shake, the thorns trembling as he snarls, “I would see the Enchanted Vale in ashes and Castletree overtaken by briars before completing my bond withyou.”
“Fine,” I say, my voice shaking. “I’ll leave you to your curse.” I turn on my heels and storm out of the tower, determined not to let him see me break.
20
Rosalina
Istormthroughthehalls of Castletree, knowing there’s only one place that can make me feel better after Kel’s words.
As I push open the doors of the library, I take in a deep breath, letting the crisp scent of Autumn fill my nose. It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen, the shelves like extensions of the tall trees that grow inside, their branches heavy with leaves that flutter down to crunch beneath my feet. Even the thorns that weave around the trees and snake over the shelves can’t diminish its beauty.
Someone whips out from around a corner and smacks right into me. I fall to my ass, surrounded by books. My father is sprawled across from me in a similar fashion.
Of course, he would be here. I can’t help but smile at our similarities, my anger drifting away.
“I see you found the library,” I say, helping him gather the fallen books.
“Oh yes,” Papa gleams. “Thought I’d bring these to my room for a bit of reading. That Marigold lady said she’d bring me some soup and a mug of hot cocoa. Can you believe that? The fae have cocoa!”
“It’s delicious, Papa.” As I help stack the books in his arms, I noticed he’s gathered a vast array, everything from creature compendiums, to myths, maps, and stories.
“Is everything alright, Rose?” he asks softly.
“Just processing everything. I think I need some quiet time to browse the stacks.”
“Well, you know where to find me. Besides,” he casts a glance over his shoulder, “there’s something here you should see.”
My father leaves and I look around the library, noticing something that wasn’t there before: a large wooden desk with a red mushroom-shaped chair. Behind the counter stands an empty shelf. It almost looks like…
Yes, there’s a slot at the bottom of the desk that opens to a bin, and etched above it is the word: RETURNS. I step back, letting myself take it in. A smaller tree is bent over the desk and shelf, and a wooden sign hangs from one of its branches that reads: “Rosalina’s Library.”
Tears well in my eyes. How many times can a girl cry in one day?
“We made it,” a soft voice says from behind me, “wishing that one day you’d return to us.”
Farron steps out from behind one of the book stacks. Warmth blooms inside me, and something in my chest eases as I take him in. His auburn hair is a tangle, his eyes deep gold. A broad smile beams across his face, as if the sun has peeked out from behind a dark rain cloud.
“Farron!” I launch myself toward him in two steps, wrapping my arms around his shoulders.
