A Knight Amid Thorns
Laurel O'Donnell
Chapter Two
The next morning, Graden entered the Great Hall to find Miles breaking his fast with Ella. There was not a more opportune time to search for the blue rose, but Miles noticed him before he could leave and beckoned him over with a wave of his hand. Graden hesitated as Ella lifted her gaze. She pinned him with such a scorching blaze that Graden almost stumbled.
Miles followed Graden’s stare to Ella and then gently nudged her. She tore her gaze from Graden and glared at Miles.
Ignoring her, Miles waved Graden over again.
Hesitantly, Graden moved toward them. He knew it was a bad idea, but he needed to speak to Ella about the blue rose anyway.
At seeing his approach, Ella stood swiftly.
Miles grabbed her arm and pulled her back into her seat. He mumbled something to her as Graden stopped before them. He stood awkwardly at the edge of the table.
“Have you eaten?” Miles wondered.
“Not as of yet,” Graden answered, casting Ella a quick glance.
“Join us!” Miles commanded.
Graden looked at Ella again and could have sworn she dry-heaved. Then he swiveled his gaze back to Miles. “Maybe I can grab something on the way out.”
“Nonsense!” Miles exclaimed. He signaled one of the passing servants who nodded to him. “You need a full stomach to hunt. Isn’t that right, Ella? No one can hunt with an empty stomach.”
Ella didn’t reply.
Graden cautiously took the seat across the table from Miles. As Miles began to eat, a servant brought a trencher of porridge and placed it before Graden.
A needle dropping would have made Graden jump. He was certain Ella was planning his demise. The silence stretched uncomfortably as they ate. He cast a glance across the table at Ella. Her eyes were downcast, looking at the food that she shoveled into her mouth.
Graden thought she would choke, she was eating so quickly. He tore a piece off the trencher and put it in his mouth.
“We’re going hunting later this morn,” Miles stated.
It didn’t stop Ella from eating in silence.
Miles cleared his throat, but Ella ignored him.
Graden reached out and took a rose from the vase on the table. “These roses are magnificent.”
Miles frowned slightly. “I suppose. Ella’s favorite flower.” He looked over to his sister. “Do you still have the gardens filled with them?”
Ella nodded, continuing to put bread into her mouth so it was full.
“Mother put all sorts of stories about roses into Ella’s head. Isn’t that right, El?”
Ella stopped chewing and glared at Miles.
Graden studied the flower. “In my travels, I’ve seen different color roses. White –”
Ella snapped her stare to him, chewing and swallowing heavily. “The Zoroastrian text says that a rose only acquires thorns when evil appears in the world.”
Shocked, Graden lifted his stare to her. “And have your roses acquired thorns?”
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “They have. For five years.” She stood demurely, glancing at Miles with a satisfied lift of her brow before departing.
