“Then trust your heart. A year ago, no one believed the princes of Castletree could be saved. Look what you’ve done for us, Rose.”
I force a smile and touch his face. “Well, I’m still working on one of those princes of Castletree.”
Keldarion weaves his fingers through my hair, gaze softening. “If only you could know all the ways you’ve already saved me. Your sister may not realize it yet, but she is so very lucky to havesomeone like you, Rose. You bring out the sunlight in a storm. Your love is magic.”
“You saw something in Caspian that could be saved,” I say softly. “Your love is magic, too.”
Keldarion stiffens and his hand tightens in my hair. “Do not do yourself the disservice of equating us. When he wants to be, Caspian is untouchable, even by love. Be careful when it comes to him.”
A flash of fear flickers in his eyes. Will he ever be able to trust the Prince of Thorns again? Though, perhaps Kel is the logical one. Here I am, trusting Caspian with my whole heart, even though a voice inside is screaming it could kill me.
I press away from Kel’s chest and look around. It’s hard to see anything beyond the flicker of flames on the icy cavern walls. “Where are we?”
“The Anelkrol Badlands. Your mother brought us here, though I can’t ascertain as to why.”
“She must have had a reason.”
“I’m sure. She’s different than how I expected the Queen to be. A bit … peculiar.” He raises a brow. “Like a couple other O’Connells I know.”
I laugh and fall against his chest.
“There’s happiness radiating from you, Rose,” Keldarion murmurs. “It’s beautiful to see.”
“It’s Dayton. Our mate bond awoke. His curse is broken, Kel.”
A smile breaks across Kel’s face. “I suppose you won’t appreciate me punching him in the nose anymore?”
Another laugh bubbles out of my chest. “Only when he deserves it.”
“Well, itisDayton, so I suppose I’ll still have my chance. Even you being his mate won’t stop him from acting like an idiot from time to time.”
“I think we’re both being idiots tomorrow,” I whisper. “We fight for Hadria. So much relies on me. I don’t know if I can do it.”
Keldarion takes my face in his hands and pierces me with his gaze. “Do not let doubt cloud your courage. If it does, take every piece of mine.”
“Kel …”
He kisses me deeply, then pulls back only a breath. “Inside you is power the realms have not seen in an age. Embrace your legacy.Let your heart guide you. This world was created by the same magic that flows through your veins. Do not doubt for a moment that you have the strength to shape it.”
My hands grip his shirt. The winds of Winter begin to whip around me before turning to a warm breeze. “I’ll see you soon, Kel. I promise.”
“Wake now, Rose, to a glorious dawn. Shadows may be falling from the sky, but you are the sun. People pray for your light.”
CHAPTER 108
Caspian
My mother sits on her throne of shadows, suspended hundreds of feet in the air over the sands outside of Hadria. Beneath her, an army of thousands of skeletons marches back and forth, green inner fire flickering out of their eye sockets and from between their ribs. The walls around Hadria seem but a pathetic obstacle to such an army.
I lick my lips and force my heart to slow. As much as I’d love to believe this is the only path before me, I know there are others. I could denounce my loyalty to the Below, bring my alliance with the Golden Rose out into the daylight. I could run away, disappear into the human realm, and hide under a rock until the sickness takes me.
But instead, I’m doing what I’ve always done. One foot in the grave, the other ready to make a mad dash away. I made a promise long ago to protect both of Aurelia’s daughters and if I’m to uphold that vow, then this is the only path forward.
My thorns arc me up through the air, my hold on them growing thinner and more tenuous as I ascend. Though this power originated in the Above, it doesn’t seem to like being away from the earth. My mother doesn’t say anything as I waver before her, suspended only by my thin thorns. Her long black hair billows in the wind as if it is one of her shadows. She sits stiff-backed, hands digging into the armrests.
I look around. What a strange sight this is: the bright blue sky of the Summer Realm with this horrid splotch of dark shadow clouds. My mother’s macabre throne floats over the sands likesome sort of ghoul from a child’s nightmare. If you ask me, the whole thing is completely tacky.
But of course, Sira would never ask me. My opinion has never been as valuable to her as my unquestioning loyalty.
