The Enchanted Rose

by Konstanz Silverbow

  Copyright © 2015, Konstanz Silverbow

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to a real person, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  This book was professionally edited by Tristi Pinkston.

  http://www.tristipinkstonediting.blogspot.com/

  Cover art by Ida Janssson @ Amygdala Designs.

  http://www.amygdaladesign.net

  Formatting by Karen Hoover.

  http://www.tinbirdpublications.blogspot.com/

  ISBN-13: 978-1511411936

  ISBN-10: 1511411937

  To my sister, Adrienne, for not only inspiring the idea for this story, but supporting me as I wrote it and in all my other adventures!

  Always first and foremost, thank you to God for guiding me to where I am. For making me realize I’m a writer. For showing me my dreams and helping me to accomplish them!

  Thank you . . .

  To my amazing beta readers and amazing supporters: Sharilyn Dickerson, Amanda Edmunds, Jacklyn Sizemore, Chrystal Mayer, Brooke Adams, Rachel Bird, Liz Hughes, and Alison Miller Woods.

  To my best friends and biggest supporters: Liz Hughes, Rachel (Lego) Bird, Brooke (Jack) Adams, Cassie Chapman, and Katie Hollien!

  To my family, for putting up with my crazy shenanigans! Thank you Mom, Dad, Adrienne, Josh, Hamilton, Alston, Cami, Frederick, Zeke, Evie, Inara, Pelli, and Grandpa!

  To my amazing street team–the Silverbow Dragons (Den of the Silverbow Dragons)!

  A special thank you to . . .

  Helena Ferrell. Without you, I never would’ve made it this far! <3

  Ali Winters. When I was struggling with this book the most, you reminded me why I write in the first place!

  To my amazing editor, Tristi Pinkston!

  To my formatter and one of my best friends, Karen Hoover!

  And to my cover artist, Ida Jansson!

  And a very special thank you to YOU, my readers, friends, fans, and supporters! <3

  Exceptional Thanks to the following for making the publication of this book possible!

  Mom, Dad, Grandman Pelli, Danny Schoonjans, Inci Bremer K.C. Hollien, Martina Romesberg, Kaylene Young, Lizzy Hughes, Chrystal Mayer, Krista Startzman, Donna Weaver, Brooke Adams, DJ, Jo-Von Holloway, Melissa Owens, Sprint Writers Central, Carrie Fox, Tiffani Baker, Rachael Marquez, Kimberly Oaks, Ashley Barnett, Erica Claus, Charlotte Wright, MaKenzie Jones, Chrystalin C Rowland, and everyone who has purchased my book(s)!

  Other books by Konstanz Silverbow:

  Only Half Alive

  Finding Gold Series:

  Missing Royal (Finding Gold, Book One)

  The wooden stool crashes against the kitchen wall where Mother has thrown it, splintering into a thousand pieces. I stand my ground, unable to look away from her as she glowers at me, as well as my maid who stands behind me, cowering from the queen.

  “I have told you never to remove this ear cuff. How dare you disobey?” Mother puts her hands on her hips, demanding an answer.

  I take the cuff, two silver crowns separated by a gold band, and slide it into place along the side of my ear.

  “We wished to go for a ride, and I did not want to lose it. I am sorry, Your Majesty.” I curtsy, knowing that appealing to her position as royalty will lighten her mood, if only a little.

  “You are a princess, Roselyn. Riding is not an excuse to ignore the rules I have given you. Neither you, nor your maid, are ever allowed to remove your cuffs. You will wear them no matter what, for they are your bond. It is tradition, and I will not see it broken because you wished to play!” Her voice cracks as she screams at me, only causing her anger to magnify tenfold.

  “I am sorry, Mother. I did not mean to upset you so.” I bow my head, only wishing for her to be pleased with me for once.

  “Being sorry does not make up for this. You must promise me that you will never remove it again.

  Either one of you!” She pointedly looks at Madrid and then me.

  “Yes, Mother. Of course.” I nod.

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” Madrid agrees, trying to hold back her whimpers.

  “Now, get out of my sight.” She waves her hand, dismissing us. Before Madrid or I can move, she picks up the skirt of her golden bustle dress and leaves the kitchens, keeping her shoulders stiff and her head high.

  The kitchen staff looks upon us with sorrow in their eyes, just as they always do when they see their queen scolding us. I do not wish them to pity us. I only wish that Mother would find fewer reasons to be angry with us—with me.

  “You’d best both get cleaned up.” Amory, the head cook, hands each of us a biscuit and ushers us toward the door. Before it's too late, I turn, avoiding Amory’s direction, and go outside again, which is exactly what got us in trouble to begin with.

  But how was I to know one of the servants informed the queen that we left our ear cuffs in the kitchen so they wouldn’t get lost? How was I to know Mother would meet us just inside the door and scold us before the entire kitchen staff? It does not matter.

  I cannot go to my quarters and ask Madrid to help me bathe and dress for the evening when she must do those things for herself. And I do not wish to go to supper and dine with our royal guests.

  I want to continue exploring. I want to remove the cuff, if only to spite Mother, and escape into the forest to live an adventure!

  “Your Highness, the queen wants you to wear your finest gown. You are to be presented this night to the royal court as they announce your betrothal.” Madrid follows me as I march toward the stables.

  “I don’t care, Madrid. I don’t want to wear fancy dresses to dine with stuffy people while making a pretense at conversation, and all for the sake of announcing whom I will wed when I do not wish to marry at all. I wish to travel. I wish for something exciting. And neither can happen if I am here, being scolded for something as simple as removing a piece of jewelry that I simply did not wish to lose,” I say haughtily, upset—though not with her.

  “Your Highness, I understand. But I do not wish to see you scolded for missing your own betrothal party. It is customary that the prince and princess to wed are present at such an event.” She grabs my hand, stopping me in my tracks.

  Only because she is my friend do I turn toward her. “Then what should I do, Madrid? Stay here and let her plan my life right down to what jewelry I wear, controlling my every movement? We are fifteen years of age. We are no longer children, yet she treats both of us as if we cannot make our own decisions.”

  “I do not have the answers, Roselyn. Nor can I speak ill of the queen. I only wish to avoid another situation like the one we just endured.”

  Her forehead wrinkles, her eyebrows pulling together, her voice pained. But I cannot go back inside the castle with Madrid. I just can’t. If only for a mere moment, I must get away.

  “Let me escape this one afternoon, just for a while. It is only midday. I will return in plenty of time for supper and the announcement of my engagement,” I plead, knowing I do not need her permission, but knowing I will feel better if I have it.

  “You should not go off on your own.” She looks about, still worried.

  “Then come with me, if that is what stops you from letting go of me.” I look down to where she still grasps my forearm.

  She lets go, allowing my arm to fall back to my side. “And return to the queen’s fury? I think not. At least one of us has to stay here and have an excuse for Her Maje
sty, should she come asking of your whereabouts.” Madrid winks.

  The breath I was holding releases, and I relax. “Thank you, my friend.” I smile, filled with gratitude for her and all she has done and continues to do for me.

  “Go. I will hold you to your promise, Princess. You had better return in plenty of time to bathe and get dressed for tonight.”

  “I promise I will be here!” I smile once more before turning and sprinting toward the stables. As I enter, I hear Halen mucking out one of the stalls near the back. He mutters to himself, his words indistinguishable to my ears.

  So as not to take him away from his work, I go directly to Cherry Blossom’s stall and slip the reins over her head, leading her out so I can saddle her.

  “Your Highness, my apologies. I did not see or hear you enter. Allow me!” Halen begins preparing her for travel. I feel silly standing nearby, watching him do the work and not helping. But Halen has always been this way. He’s worked in the stables since I’ve been riding, and he is determined never to make royalty work. Not even me.

  I step forward, ready to inform him that I can help when he sets a stool in front of me and leads Cherry Blossom up to it so I can mount. “Thank you, Halen.” I laugh. If I were in my riding clothes, I would not use the step to get in the saddle. But in a dress, I am grateful the stable hand thought to get it for me.

  “You are most welcome, Your Highness. Have a safe journey.” He bows graciously.

  I squeeze the horse’s sides with my legs, urging her forward. Outside the stables, we trot farther away from the castle until it is no longer visible behind the wall of trees. Once out of sight, we take off at a run, getting as far away from Tivor as possible.

  We break through the forest’s edge on the west side, going away from all the other kingdoms. As the terrain becomes rougher, we change course and head northwest, deeper into the woods.

  The forest floor is dusted with flowers of every kind in every color. Sunlight peeks through the leaves, casting rays of light over them. Small animals dart between trees and bushes. This is where I feel most at home, among the living beauty amid the trees.

  Ahead, the sounds of the rushing river can be heard, growing louder as I fast approach. Soon I will be on King Valentino and Queen Shanice’s land. Eighteen years after they ended the princess witch’s reign, all the kingdoms are now thriving, almost repaired.

  I can smell the water now though it is still shrouded from my sight, the path blocked by undergrowth. I skirt around bushes and trees, sticking to the path as best as I can.

  A large bush, its leaves the size of my palms, begins rustling. I pull on Cherry Blossom’s reins to wait a moment. Having spent much time in the forest, learning of all the beast and fowl that live within, I know from the way the bush rattles, as if the wind whips at the branches, that the animal behind it would have to be quite large.

  “Agh!” A voice shouts just as a young man emerges from the bush, falling on his behind as he trips over leaves and branches. “Umph.” He lies on the ground, unmoving, only groaning.

  I dismount and tie my horse’s reins to a branch. Slowly, cautiously, I approach the man. I unsheathe my dagger and hold it against the skirt of my dress to keep it hidden, but in hand.

  “Are you all right?” I say, still a few steps away from the stranger.

  “It is just my luck that at the moment I fall on the ground, there is someone in the forest to witness it.” He groans again. I laugh lightly, amused because it is odd and funny that I should be here to see him getting caught in a bush when no one else is nearby.

  “Perhaps you only see it that way. Truly terrible luck would have been you falling, getting injured, and having no one around to help you up.” I walk around him and hold out my hand. He takes it, his hand enveloping mine, and I pull him to his feet.

  “Very true. I suppose my luck is better than I thought.” His smile causes a funny feeling to float around inside me. His high cheeks are dimpled. His eyes are brighter than the bluest sky. His curly hair is almost black, it is so dark. “Thank you for your help.”

  “You’re welcome,” I reply, still observing his features. He is quite handsome, even covered in dirt, leaves clinging to his hair and clothes.

  “My apologies. I have forgotten my manners. I am Osric.” He lifts the hand he is still holding and kisses it.

  “No need to apologize. I’m Roselyn.” I slip my hand out of his, remembering I do not know him. He seems kind, but that does not mean he truly is. “And I must be going.” I smile as I turn and begin walking back to Cherry.

  “Wait!” He grabs my arm, his fingers grasping my elbow.

  Without hesitation, I turn, swinging my right arm around, interlocking his elbow and curling my left arm around, holding the blade of my dagger against his throat.

  “Please get that blade away from me. I mean you no harm. I was only going to ask for your help.” He puts one hand up, showing he means no ill will.

  I hesitate a moment before removing the dagger and untangling our arms as I step away from him.

  “I’m sorry. I was taught well how to protect myself.”

  “Indeed you were.” He rubs his shoulder, clenching his jaw.

  “I’m sorry,” I repeat. “You startled me.”

  “I, too, am sorry. I did not mean to scare you in any way. I am wandering the forest, lost, alone, and very late. I only hoped to ask you for help.”

  “Where are you going?” I ask cautiously.

  “Tivor. I hear the princess’s betrothal is being announced this eve. My parents, King Valentino and Queen Shanice, are already on their way. I had to stay behind to finish my work before following after them. Unfortunately, my horse got spooked and ran off without me.” He speaks animatedly, waving his hands about in demonstration of what happened.

  “You’re Prince Osric?” I raise an eyebrow, curious as to why he did not say that when he first introduced himself. Perhaps for the same reason I didn’t.

  “Yes, as I imagine you are Princess Roselyn. That is not a name one often hears.” “Very well. You may ride with me if you wish. I had best get back to Tivor soon anyway.” “Thank you!” His shoulders loosen a bit, as if a weight has been removed from them.

  I nod, looking him up and down. “You’re welcome.” I mount Cherry Blossom and wait for the prince to climb on behind me. It’s a bit uncomfortable, and more so awkward, but he wraps his arms around my waist.

  “Sorry,” he mutters.

  I can’t help but giggle. “It’s quite all right. I would much prefer you to hold on than to fall on your backside again.”

  “At least one of us can find amusement in my pains and embarrassment,” he says dryly.

  “With how easy you make it, it would be harder not to.” With another laugh, I steer Cherry from the clearing and back onto the path going in the direction from which we came.

  The ride seems to take longer going home. Whether it’s because a handsome young prince travels with me or because I am going back toward my doom, I don’t know.

  “Do you often going wandering about in the forest all alone?” he asks as we reach the halfway marker home.

  “Only when I must escape my mother.” I instantly wish I had not said such a thing. Mother would be livid with me for speaking about her in such a manner.

  “Well, should you ever want for a friend to join you, call upon me. Though not for the same reasons, I too sometimes must escape the life of the castle. And the forest is such an excellent place to be when all else seems wrong in the world.”

  “Thank you. I hope you mean it, Prince Osric. For how often I must escape, I don’t think there is any question as to whether or not I will call upon you.”

  “Say the word, Princess, and I will be there.” He leans a little closer.

  I think he is attempting to nudge my shoulder, which doesn’t work so well, considering he is behind me. But I shrug it off, knowing I have found someone I am comfortable with. The only other person in the world I can be this
relaxed with is Madrid.

  Thinking of her, I rub at the cuff on my right ear.

  “It’s beautiful,” Osric comments.

  “What?” I attempt to look back at him. We only barely avoid conking our heads together.

  “The earring. It’s beautiful.” He takes no notice of the almost mishap, for which I am grateful.

  I drop my hand, leaving the cuff alone. “Thank you.”

  “May I ask where you came upon such an unusual piece of jewelry?”

  “I’ve had it since birth. My maid wears an identical piece—they were gifts to us from my mother. It is said in the kingdom that we hold an unbreakable bond, and this,” I touch the cuff once more, “is a sign of that relationship.” I do not believe it. Yes, Madrid and I are friends. But is it beyond what princess and maid share elsewhere?

  “Very interesting. It is said that I have a bond with my two brothers, but I think wearing a decoration to show it off would be slightly odd in our case. However, it works for you.” His fingers brush against it, only barely touching my ear before he puts his arm around my waist again.

  “You could wear rings on your fingers. Or perhaps a pendant. It would not have to be obvious, but could still show your friendship and brotherhood to one another.” I like the idea of sharing something like that with a sibling. Madrid is the closest thing I will ever have to a sister. I wouldn’t trade her for the world. But still, I wish she were a princess alongside me rather than a maid behind me.

  “I appreciate the sentiment, Princess. However, being the youngest of the three, I believe they would only tease me for suggesting such a thing.” He chuckles. It’s a pleasant sound, sending goose bumps across my arms and neck.

  “Perhaps they would,” I say.

  At the prince’s silence, I let the subject drop, and I avoid touching my ear, no matter how strong the urge to do so.

  “Are you looking forward to this evening?” he asks, finally breaking the silence.