“Don’t think this is more than it is. I just don’t want some green tyrant destroying the Vale,” Caspian sneers. “My mother cannot find out I’m helping you.”
“It’s finally happening.” My father dabs his eyes. “Anya, I’m coming.”
Slowly, I reach out and clasp Dayton’s hand. “And we will free Summer.”
CHAPTER 30
Caspian
Isit on the edge of the pond in Castletree’s gardens, staring into the clear water. She approaches like a sunrise, a subtle warmth slowly crawling up my skin until my whole body glows like a damn star.Mate.My mate.
Not that she has any idea, or if she does, she keeps that part of herself hidden.
I can’t blame her. I wouldn’t want to be my mate either.
“Caspian.” Rosalina waves her hand, and my briars uncoil, making a path for her. The twilight paints her in a hazy orange, pink, and gold that filters through her gossamer skirt.
The stars must have been feeling particularly cruel when deciding to pair me with someone like her. How can we be mates? My blood is devouring flames and wicked shadows. Rosalina is light and love and beauty.
It’s better if she doesn’t know. Besides, if Farron is right and Aurelia can turn me human, what will happen to our mate bond? Perhaps fate will bestow upon me a small mercy and break the bond, so neither of us will have to be burdened with it. Though, I assume I won’t be so lucky. It was all too easy to speak in her mind and feel the pulse of our connection, even when her faedom was trapped within her. Not to mention, I suspect certain humans may hold more magic within them than they think. Rosalina’s lineage, especially.
“Quite the retreat,” Rosalina says, sitting on the opposite side of the pond from me.
After everything that’s transpired today, I’d needed to be alone. The last place I wanted to go was back to the Below. So, Castletree’sgardens seemed as good a spot as any. Not that there’s much garden besides my thorns now.
“I didn’t even know there was a pond here,” Rosalina continues.
The water is nearly hidden beneath curled briars. It would be impossible to get to without asking the briars to move. But I left a gap in this particular thorn bush, letting rainwater feed it, and surprisingly, after all these years, the water is still clear.
“What can I say?” A smile crosses my face. “I like to protect beautiful things.”
Rosalina lets her hand rest on one of the briars, nose crinkling in concentration. She’s thinking of my secret that’s not quite a secret anymore. I can only hope the princes keep it to themselves. If my mother ever found out … it would be the end of everything.
“The briars at Castletree help hold the structure up,” I explain. “I had to cast them wider, using the surrounding land to help feed life back into the castle. I’m powerful, but not powerful enough to keep Castletree standing on my own.”
“It hurts you,” Rosalina says. “The rot …”
“You mean my delightful black goo?” I say, rubbing my nose absently. “Yes, well, that has happened since I was a child. I can’t survive above ground forever. Using so much energy on Castletree speeds up the process.”
The warm summer air breezing through the briars tugs at the curls in her hair. “Are you okay right now?”
“As okay as I can be. I don’t have to channel as much energy into the briars when the princes are here, sustaining Castletree with their magic. I might even get a couple days on the surface, if I’m lucky. But who knows? Every dawn is different.” I shrug. There’s a flash of concern on her face, so I quickly add, “How did you find me, Princess?”
“Marigold told me you went outside and then I …” She trails off because the answer isn’t in words. It’s a feeling. Of course she knew where I was.
“Well, I know you haven’t forgiven me,” I say, tossing a pebble into the water. “So, why are you here?”
“I’m here—”
“To make sure I’m not leading your mates into a trap?” I finish for her.
“Once you all go down Below, you have the power, Caspian,” Rosalina says. “It’s up to you to protect them.”
“As soon as Kel and George enter the labyrinth, they’ll be beyond my help. Farron, however … I’ll do my best.”
She chews her lip, gazing at me.
“If you don’t trust me, trust in our common enemy. I don’t want the Green Flame coming to the Enchanted Vale any more than you. Freeing the Queen will ensure Sira can’t siphon her magic again.”
