Did the Prince of Thorns never fall out of love with Keldarion? Even so, it doesn’t justify what he’s done over the years. The lives the War of Thorns took. Keldarion’s parents, Dayton’s family … all collateral.
“Let’s see,” I say, kneeling beside him, keeping far enough away so that our bodies won’t brush.
Dayton’s turquoise rose sags, the blossom almost touching the ground. At its base is a pile of discarded petals. The surrounding soil reeks with the sickly sweet scent of rot. This isn’t good. If Dayton’s rose wilts, he could be stuck as a beast forever, and no mate bond could save him. No wonder he’s had such a hard time accessing his magic.
“Uh,” I mutter, struggling for words. “I’m sure it’ll perk up once we all pool our magic.”
Dayton straightens. “You’d think it would be like Ez and Kel’s. They’re like me. They found their mates but their curses aren’t broken, either.”
Keldarion and Ezryn’s roses are both wilted, but nowhere near as bad as Day’s. They look like they’re slowly dying … but notrotting.
“Fuck,” Dayton swears and stands, storming into the one dark corner of the room. He covers his eyes, but not before I catch a tear falling down his cheek.
My self-restraint breaks and I stand, crossing to him. All it takes is the brush of my fingers against his arm for him to pull me into an embrace. His grip is crushing. His head dips to my shoulder, tears soaking my vest. I feel so guilty because being pulled close to his sun-kissed body is what I’ve wanted for so long. I feel like I’m on some sort of high, inhaling the salt and sand scent of his skin.
“I don’t want to be a beast forever,” he says in a broken rasp. “But I don’t want …”
His voice trails off, but the unsaid word hangs heavy between us.
Her.
Because there’s only one way he can save his rose. His mate’s love.
Wrenley’s love.
How many times have I seen him like this? How many times have I seen the great Daytonales cry? A handful of times at most. But he’s never looked as broken as this.
I feel my own tears pool in my eyes, and I shake my head, feeling foolish. “Sorry, I’m supposed to be making you feel better.”
Then his large hand is on my face, calloused fingers wiping away my tears. “I thought it would be better once I got Rosie back,” he says hoarsely. “She wasallI could think about, from the moment I woke until sleep claimed me. I just needed to know she was safe. But it’s consuming me even more.”
We’re so close now, hip to hip. I can feel his every breath as his chest moves against mine. I know I shouldn’t, but I ask, “What’s consuming you?”
“Rosalina,” he says. “You.”
“Day …” I move to step away, but he grips me tighter.
“I slept in the library last night, and when I woke naked among the shelves, all I could think about was you two. It felt like my body was going to tear itself apart unless I could be inside of you both.”
I flutter my eyes closed. “You shouldn’t be saying these things. You have a mate.”
His thumb brushes over my mouth, and my whole body quivers. He doesn’t move away, the tip of his thumb pressing between my lips, slowly pulling them apart.
“Just one kiss, Fare,” he whispers.
I blink at him. He looks almost delirious. For so many months, he’s tried to be so good to Wrenley. So why now? Why is he breaking apart now?
Make him remember our love.A wicked thought crosses my mind. It sounds like Caspian. But I can’t. His rose … Day’s rose is so weak.
There’s only one person who can save Dayton now. And it’s not me.
“Come on, Fare,” Dayton whispers. “One last kiss.”
I thought every part inside of me was broken, but this shatters me even more. “We’ve already had our last kiss.”
I turn away, my mind grasping for the memory of that moment as if it would help me hold on to him. When he found me wandering the streets of Florendel—did we kiss then? Why didn’t I hold on tighter, savor the taste of his lips? Just kiss him for one moment longer.
Steps sound on the stairs. I quickly wipe away my tears, watching Dayton do the same. The door opens, and Keldarionand Rosalina walk in. Rosalina’s gaze flicks between us as Keldarion holds the door for her. Her eyes are too keen to hide anything, and a wave of sadness and understanding passes through our bond.
