Osric climbs down the balcony before I have a chance to protest. I would rather he hide in my wardrobe than risk going back into that storm, but I don’t have time to stop him or ask him to come back before Queen Jossa enters my room.
“Why would you leave the safety of the castle during a storm like this?” she demands to know, her face mere inches from mine. I stutter, grasping for an excuse, but nothing comes to me.
“Would it be that you wished to check up on a certain seamstress? The very seamstress who was supposed to make your dresses? I do not know what to do with you when you cannot obey simple commands. You were to be fitted and dressed for a wedding—your wedding!—and return to the castle. Instead, I am informed that you did not even get fitted, but instead, you called upon the royal physician to attend to a peasant!”
I cross my arms over my chest, standing tall, even raising my chin. I find my voice once more. “Her husband was dying. She lost her business in the market. She has children to feed, and I was not going to let them lose a father. As for the dresses, she has plenty of time to make them, and she will once she has been paid. I will not require her to give me those dresses—or any clothing, for that matter. How dare the queen, someone who is supposed to protect the people, accuse me of being in the wrong in this situation?”
“You defend the peasants, but not yourself?”
“I’ve done nothing wrong. I helped people in need of our assistance. I also intend to purchase Nadi’s business and return it to her. She cannot be expected to make clothes for others in her home, a place for her family.”
“This is unacceptable. You are a princess. Royalty. My daughter. I will not have you acting like anyone below our station. You best keep in mind that your actions reflect on me.” She sets her jaw, glaring at me as if I have truly offended her by being kind.
“Then today, I did you a favor.” I sneer, knowing I am only digging myself deeper into trouble.
“The seamstress will be punished.” I note that she refuses to call Nadi by name. Perhaps she doesn’t know it. “She is to make your gowns without pay. She is to pay for the services of my physician, and then once she has met those debts, she is to leave the kingdom.”
“Mother! You can’t do that. I will not accept the clothing, and you know well that she can’t afford such debts. The royal physician makes enough money. He did not ask her for payment today—he will not require it later. He helped her as a favor.”
“I do not expect the physician to be paid. The dressmaker will be paying me for calling up my
staff.”
“She didn’t call upon him. I did. Would you charge me, then?” I challenge her.
“My word is final. Tomorrow, you will wake before the sun rises to have your dresses made. And then you will put on a smile and greet your fiancé with such a happiness as if you’ve waited all your life to be with him.” She laughs, grinning from ear to ear with an example of how I am to behave tomorrow. Then she leans closer and whispers, “Because you have been.”
She grabs the edge of her dress, dragging it around her before turning on her heel and leaving my room as abruptly as she entered.
Madrid closes the door behind her. As soon as it’s shut, I rush to the curtain and pull it back to find Osric leaning against the banister, his back getting wet from the rain still coming down. Shoving the wet and the cold out of my mind, I sit beside him and take his hand in mine, leaning my head against his shoulder.
“Osric, what’s wrong?” He’s just staring at nothing, a look of pain on his face.
He looks at me, taking in my face before leaning forward so his forehead rests on mine. “You know I love you, right?” There’s so much worry in his eyes. I sit up and lean my side against the rail.
“Of course.” I cup his cheek with my palm. “Why would you ask that?”
“If we want to be together, I have to leave.” He shudders, taking in a breath. I want to interrupt, but he must have seen that, as he places a finger on my lips. “I have to stop this storm from wiping away all of the remaining magic. It’s the only way this will ever work for us.” He looks to be on the brink of tears.
I get on my knees before him, taking my hands from his and placing them on his cheeks. “What are you talking about?” I lean forward, resting my forehead on his. He sighs and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me closer.
“The wizard who gave me that rose asked for a favor in return. As you spoke to your mother, he talked to me. He has claimed his favor. I am to travel with him to the mountains—where the storm started—and figure out what is going on.”
“And why does this worry you so?”
“How can I not be worried? Roselyn, I may not make it back. We do not know what is up there, what is going on, or who caused the storm and for what reason. I have to leave you, and I don’t know if I’ll be returning. And should I return, how am I to know if you’ve already married and been swept away to another kingdom?”
I sit back just enough so I can look him in the eye. “Osric Audric, how could you think so little of me?” I ask with a smile on my face so he knows I could never mean it. “You should know that my heart only belongs to you. And try as they might, no one can steal it, give it away, or convince it otherwise.” I lean forward, wrapping my arms around his neck, and kiss him as if my life depends on it.
And he returns the kiss, pulling me closer until I’m practically sitting on his lap. His hands roam into my hair, brushing the blonde strands. I do the same with his, playing with his dark curls.
And though the air has turned chilly and the rain is still pouring, my skin is flushed, and I couldn’t be warmer. Wrapped in his embrace, cherished with his kisses, knowing this is good-bye, I hold on to him for as long as I can.
Though the sun has remained behind clouds all day, as it begins to set, the sky grows darker, and the air becomes colder—though I didn’t know that was possible. I realize that Osric and I have been on the balcony for hours, curled around one another.
Though it causes my heart to break, I push away from him and stand. He follows me closely, taking my hands as soon as he is on his feet. He wraps an arm around my shoulder and leads me through the curtains, into the warmth of my room where Madrid rekindled the fire in the fireplace. There before it, we sit down and resume our position, clinging to each other, trying to remain strong when we know that soon, Osric will have to leave.
I don’t want him to go. All evening, I’ve attempted to justify convincing him to stay. But in my heart, I know it can’t be. If I keep him from going on this quest, I may very well be stopping our happy ending.
Worries for Osric and myself are put on hold, and my heart stops when Madrid comes running into the room, tears streaking down her cheeks. She holds a small mirror in one hand, her other hand covering her mouth. She kneels beside me, practically falling at my side and leaning against my shoulder.
I sit up and grasp her upper arms.
“Madrid, what is the matter?” I look closely at her face, and I think I can guess what has caused her to act this way. “What happened?”
“I don’t know, milady. I do not know. I went outside to fetch water for the needy. When I came back in, Amory asked what happened while I was outside.” She hiccups, trying to contain her sobs as she speaks. “I thought perhaps she was teasing me, but she was adamant that something was wrong with my face. I didn’t believe her until I passed a window on my way through the kitchens.” She breaks down again, unable to contain her tears and emotion.
“Let me see.” I examine the large marks upon her cheeks. They appear to have been there since birth, but I have never seen them before. They cover her left cheek and part of her forehead. Despite making her skin a tad darker, they do not detract from her beauty. “Madrid, you are still as lovely as ever.”
“I do not think so, Your Highness. Why have these marks never appeared before? I thought this storm was tampering with magic. Has someone changed the way I look to hide these scars all my life?”
/> “I do not think they are scars. They look to be birthmarks. And still, you are beautiful. They mean nothing. They change nothing.” I offer her the best smile I can muster.
She continues sniffling, burying her face in her hands. I pull away from Osric even farther and wrap my arms around Madrid.
I allow her to lean into me, holding her as if she were my sister. She suddenly looks at me, almost hitting her head against mine. Her eyes widen as she searches my face.
“Madrid, what is it?” I ask, now even more worried.
“Who am I? Why am I like this? What is that storm? And why is it getting rid of magic?”
“I don’t know, but tomorrow, Osric is traveling to the mountain to find out, and hopefully stop it before it causes more damage.” Tears begin to well up in her eyes again, and I have to backtrack. “No, Madrid, I didn’t mean like that. Your face may be different, but it does not take away from your beauty. You are not damaged.”
“I am but a servant, Your Highness. I should not worry about my looks at all. I am sorry for bursting in here. I did not mean to interrupt your time with your prince. I will leave you now.” She stands and brushes off her skirt.
“Madrid, you know you are more than a servant. You are a friend. And this is not just about your looks. Someone has enchanted you so no one ever saw those marks. We need to know who and why.”
“Thank you, milady. I understand. But if Osric is leaving, I am sure you wish to spend as much time with him as possible beforehand.” She glances at him. “I will leave you two alone.” She curtsies and turns to leave.
“Madrid,” I say before she disappears.
“Yes, milady?” She turns back, still trying to keep her left side from view.
“We will find the answers. I promise. Thank you for giving me another moment with Osric, but know that I will keep my word. As soon as he is gone, we will begin searching for the truth.” My head tilts to the side, my lips turned down in a frown. I look at her with sadness, realizing that Osric and I aren’t the only ones this storm is hurting. And right now, there is nothing I can do to stop the pain.
“Thank you, Roselyn.” She bites her lower lip and turns away before she begins crying once more.
“You’re welcome,” I whisper, even though she is already gone.
I rest my head in the hollow of Osric’s shoulder, my arms wrapped around his waist. He gently runs his fingers through my hair, holding me close, but not saying anything. I don’t speak, afraid my emotions will overcome me, and I won’t be able to say what I want.
A shudder rips through me, sparking the urge to sob until my eyes are so sore that I can’t cry anymore. But I hold back, trying to fight the fear that is threatening to take over.
He must feel me shaking, must wonder what I’m thinking as I begin to worry all again. “Rose, please speak to me. I can’t fix something when I don’t know where the problem lies.” He kisses the crown of my head, squeezing me a little tighter.
“I don’t know who I am anymore, Osric. I don’t understand anything. It’s like the sun was just a magic trick wiped away by the storm, and now I’m surrounded by darkness all around me, eating away at me, causing me to question everything I’ve ever known. Madrid has scars that weren’t there before. Everything is falling apart, and I don’t know how to fix it.”
Osric rests his hands on either side of my lower rib cage, making my squirm. It tickles, but in the best way possible. He pushes me away from him just enough so he can look into my eyes. “And what does your heart tell you?” Though his fingers are teasing, his eyes are serious.
“My heart tells me that we’re meant to be together. That we’re made for each other. If you lost your heart, we can rip mine in half, put a part inside you, and we’d both survive.” The tears I so desperately tried to hold back spring forth, causing my vision to go a little blurry.
“Then listen to your heart. And if you can’t do that, listen to mine.” He cups my cheek with one hand, pulling me closer until my head rests against his chest. I listen to the beat of his heart, erratic, fast, like he’s nervous.
It makes me laugh. I look into his eyes, resting my fingers on his sides, now taunting him the same way he was torturing me. “Okay.” I nod before leaning closer, meeting him halfway as our lips touch.
Finally, the time comes. Dawn is fast approaching, and I know Osric must leave. My heart feels as if someone has stabbed it a thousand times—no. That would be less painful than what I feel right now.
Osric pulls me to my feet and wraps his arms around me. “I love you, Roselyn. I will love you until the last petal turns red. And even afterward, even if the fates are against us and it isn’t possible for us to be together, know that I will always love you.” I can’t respond. Even if I could physically make myself speak at this moment, I wouldn’t know what to say.
So I press my lips to Osric’s one last time and watch as he climbs from the balcony, all the way until he is lost among the trees and beyond the wall. And my heart goes with him.
I hate leaving her. Knowing I may not come back, knowing how much emotional pain she is going through right now, breaks my heart. I have to climb down this castle wall and not look back.
If I do, no force in the world could stop me from returning to her, but I know that by doing so, I would not only be throwing away any chance of my happiness, but hers as well. So I leave. I walk away, hands fisted, jaw clenched, knowing that the second I go, we’re both going to come undone.
It takes all my willpower not to turn back, even just to wave good-bye. But I don’t. I climb through the wall, and from there, I continue walking.
Only once I am to the town do I remember that Knight is still in the stables. I could kick myself for that mistake. What am I supposed to do now? I can’t turn back. If I am caught in Tivor, it could ruin everything Roselyn and I are fighting for.
But I will never make it to Wentsden in time without my horse. I stop walking, trying to think of any other options. I could return and tell Roselyn, but even with her help, how would we retrieve Knight without being noticed?
The sound of hoof beats behind me causes me to pause. I turn, panicking now that someone is coming after me. “Your Highness!” A timid voice calls out. As I see her face, I relax. Madrid rides my horse toward me.
“The princess did not want you to have walk up that mountain. She would hate for your mission to take any longer than necessary.” She smiles, much happier than she was earlier, though I can still see some of that pain in her eyes. She avoids looking directly at me.
“Thank you, Madrid.” I help her dismount and turn her around, grasping her shoulders to steady her. “And our dear princess was right, you know. Nothing has changed your beauty.” I kiss her on the cheek before stepping around her and mounting Knight.
“Thank you, Your Highness.” Her blush is evident as she ducks her head and begins walking back the way she came. I wish I could offer her a ride to the gate at least, but we both know the consequences would be dire should anyone see us.
“Madrid!” I call after her.
She turns back toward me. “Yes, Your Highness?”
“Take care of Roselyn for me.” I gulp before adding, “Should I not return, tell her that I love her. And no matter what happens, magic or no magic, that will never change.” Before she can respond, and before I can no longer force myself to leave, I flick the reins and force my mount to charge into the forest.
Rain washes over me until I can no longer feel every freezing drop. I become numb to the physical pain while my heart still aches for Rose. Leaving her is the only way to save her, and it kills me.
Whoever wishes for us to remain apart is succeeding in their goals, but I can’t believe that. I must have faith that we—that I—will figure this out. Roselyn needs me to do this. I promised her I would, and I won’t break my promise to her.
I ride faster, pushing the horse harder. I must arrive in Wentsden by sunrise. Mother and Father will want to know that I’m safe. The stor
m no doubt harmed our kingdom as well.
I have some questions to ask Mother. She is known for traveling up the mountain alone in order to speak to the seer who lived there. She boldly faced crooks who wished to harm her and taught them a lesson that day. The story brings a faint smile to my lips, but no matter how amusing the tale, or inspiring, my heart is heavy with the tasks ahead.
The farther into the forest I go, the less rain pounds on me, but I can hear it in the distance, hear it beating against the leaves all around me. A few drops hit me every once in a while, but at least for now, I am mostly protected.
Teeth chattering, body shaking, freezing to the point I’m going numb, I push on, refusing to slow down. In my haste, I take a wrong turn and only realize it when I come upon a wall of thorns and brambles. It takes extra time I don’t have to get through it and find the correct path.
My heart beats erratically, my eyes sting from the cold, and my skin hurts from where I’ve been cut and scraped by branches, but I continue on, pushing to reach home before the sun rises.
I reach the edge of the forest just as the sky turns pink, lit up by the approaching sun. The sight before me causes my heart to break. Wentsden and Umare are no better off than Tivor. Entire buildings have been destroyed. I have to question whether this is because the storm was so strong, or if they were there entirely because of magic and the storm washed it away.
I ride through the village, looking at the damage done. So much destruction in such a short amount of time. I didn’t know I could take any more pain, but the sight before me proves that wrong.
I’m already soaked through. No point in trying to hurry for cover at this point. The rain has let up just a bit, but it is still noticeable all the same.
When I can’t bring myself to look at the ruins any longer, I continue for the castle. A line of people waits for entrance at the gate. The guards are trying to direct the panicked crowds, but aren’t very successful.
The Enchanted Rose Page 7
