“The first time I found a fake rose, it was difficult, just as it is for you.” He looked down the road. “After so many times…” He shook his head. “I won’t believe it is the real blue rose until I see it with my own eyes. I won’t allow myself to hope.”
Her heart lurched with sympathy and kindness. Didn’t he know? He never gave up hope in his search because if he did, he wouldn’t continue to hunt for it. “What will you do?” she asked anxiously. “You have to find the rose.”
“I will keep looking. I’ll return to the farmhouse and –”
She straightened. “Then I am not returning to the castle. I will help you. I want to help you.”
He looked at her again for a long moment. “You’re exhausted.”
“If you will not stop, then I will not either.”
He grinned softly. “Come. Ride with me.”
Before she could protest, he had reached across and scooped her into arms, moving her onto his steed. He settled her before him, his strong arms moving around her, holding her.
Ella opened her mouth to protest, but his warmth and strength and comfort seeped into her fatigued body. She closed her mouth and put her head against his chest with a gentle sigh. This was a man she could fall in love with.
It was still dark when they entered the town. The chapel called to Ella in the darkness, the bright round moon glistening behind the tower. She suddenly had a strong urge to go to Edwin, to see his grave, to talk to him. The horses came to a halt outside the small graveyard and Ella slid from the horse. She signaled Graden to follow with a wave of her hand.
Graden dismounted and walked to her. “Is this where you’d like me to leave you?”
“No! No.” She grabbed his hand, partly to prevent his leaving, partly to feel his calming touch. “Please. Come with me. I just want to speak to my brother.”
Graden scowled as she led the way toward the graveyard.
She stopped at Edwin’s tombstone, staring down at it in the bright moonlight. She felt as though she had failed Edwin. She had apologized so much to him but had never forgiven herself. That was not what she wanted to say to him. She had failed him because here she stood, holding the hand of his murderer.
She saw a weed at the base of the rock and fell to her knees, grabbing it. She yanked it from the ground and tossed it aside. She stared at his name carved into the stone. It was all she had left of him. She ran her fingers over the letters. She wanted him to know how much she loved him. How sorry she was for not being stronger. And maybe, maybe, she wanted to ask him for her life back. She wanted to love and laugh again.
“Ella,” Graden whispered. “Would you like a moment alone?”
She reached for him. He went down on one knee beside her. “What would you say to him?”
“To your brother?”
She nodded. When the silence stretched, she added in a husky voice, “I don’t know what to say to him anymore.”
Graden’s hand tightened around hers. “I would tell him that he has the most wondrous sister.”
Ella’s chest tightened, and she blinked back the sudden tears that sprang to her eyes.
“I would tell him how she keeps his memory alive by planting these roses beside him. I would tell him…how beautiful she is. And how much I will miss having her by my side when I am gone. I would tell him…that I love talking to her about roses. I love to see her excitement and passion –”
A sob escaped her lips and she turned to look at Graden. She swiped tears from her eyes so she could see him clearly. His gaze focused on her, not the tombstone, causing her to tremble. He was so handsome. She could not ask for a more honorable man. “How can I tell him that I love the man who killed him?”
Graden’s eyes widened in surprise. “What of your deal with the witch?”
“I never made a deal with her. I don’t have to. You are the remedy she offered me.” She moved up to him on her knees.
He touched her cheek gently, whispering, “Ella.”
“How can I tell Edwin that I don’t ever want you to leave me? Not even to search for your blue rose?”
“Tell him you are more rare and beautiful than that blue rose. Tell him I would gladly marry you, I would gladly love you forever, but I cannot abandon my oath. It is my word. Tell him –”
Her breath caught in her throat. Marry him? Marry Graden? “You would marry me?”
His arms wrapped around her and he pulled her against him, bending his head to press his lips to hers. It was a desperate, claiming kiss that seared through her body to her very soul. She put her arms around him, holding his lips to hers, never wanting the kiss to end.
