I push through the throngs and lead Knight to the stables. The stable boy must have been called away because aside from the horses, the barn is empty. I remove the saddle and brush Knight down.
I make haste to the castle, forcing my way through the door. I take the servants’ route to the grand hall. From the small doorway, I can see my mother and father helping to bring people in, giving them a place to sit and things to sleep on.
I imagine that Jossa and Inginio are doing much the same thing in Tivor, though Jossa would do it out of need. If the people believe she is uncaring, there will be an uproar. But if she appears to be willing to get her hands dirty for the sake of her people, they will not revolt.
Shanice, however, does this out of love for the people. She may not have been raised in this world as royalty, but it certainly fits her. A small smile reaches my lips as I think about my mother, the hero she is, how the people look up to her, knowing that when something bad happens, she will be there to protect them.
I wish I could be like her. The thought of climbing that mountain and facing whatever monsters await terrifies me.
My father is strong and able too, always willing to protect Shanice. From the stories, I have a feeling she was one to get herself in trouble often. I look at them working side by side, and all I know is I want that with Roselyn. If that means facing my every fear, I’ll do it.
Seeing as Mother has enough to do, I sneak back through the passage and make my way to my parents’ quarters. I could look in the library for answers, but somehow, I know that the book I need—if there is one—won’t be found in such an obvious place.
Because of the storm and destruction, all the guards have been called to help in the main hall or outside, so the corridors are empty. I peek around the corner to ensure that no guards stand at the door to my parents’ room. No one is in sight.
The clicking of my boots hitting the floor reverberates down the hall as I make my way down it and through the door, closing it behind me. I open the curtains so I have enough light to look, but not enough to show through the crack beneath the door.
I search the wardrobe, beneath and around the bed, anywhere I can think. But no book is to be found. I think about the one place where Mother spends the majority of her time when she wishes to be left alone. The room she has asked that I not enter. The pain in her eyes when that place is mentioned is something I can’t handle. In all my life, it’s the one room I’ve never entered, never broken into while exploring the castle.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that if my mother were to keep some sort of diary, it would be in that room. I sink down on the edge of the bed and hold my head in my hands.
Before I can make a decision, the door creaks open, a sliver of light shining on my face. I look up in time to see a dress blocking the light. My mother stands before me, leaning against the door as she pushes it shut.
She approaches slowly, almost as if she is afraid to come near me. I’m not sure why, but I don’t move, only waiting for her to ask what I’m doing in her chambers, why I look so distraught. I’m sure I’m a mess.
“Son?” She sits beside me and wraps an arm around my shoulders. I look into her eyes. She searches my face for any signs as to what is going on.
“I’m in trouble, Mother. And I don’t know what to do.” I cover my face with my hands, unsure where to go from here.
“Osric, what’s the matter?”
“The storm.” It’s all I can say as I debate how to tell her of my situation.
“What about it?”
“I have to stop it. I have to find a way to restore the magic.” A shiver snakes up my spine.
“And why is this task one you must fulfill?” She takes my hand in hers, pulling it away from my face.
I look her in the eye and wonder how much pain is evident in my expression. “Because,” I whisper.
“If I don’t, I will lose Roselyn forever.”
“Love will always find a way, Osric.” Mother looks at me with so much sincerity, it’s hard not to believe her. “Always. Never doubt that. There is nothing, no magic more powerful than that of the heart.”
“It isn’t that simple, Mother.” I look away, ashamed. “I did this. I’m the reason this storm could separate us forever.”
“And how is that?” She nudges me with her shoulder.
“I gave her an enchanted rose. It was my promise to her. So long as the petals remained white, our love would find a way. But with the storm came the undoing of all magic. And now the petals are turning red once more.”
“If your love is true, even if it means moving mountains, love will find a way.” She smiles.
“Do you honestly believe love can prevail?”
“Osric, if you put your heart into it, it certainly can’t fail. You must believe with every ounce of love you have for those you are saving that it is possible. The moment you begin to doubt is when you start to lose the battle.”
“What can you tell me about the mountain? Of the Oracle who lives there?” I ask, holding on to the last sliver of hope.
“Selma wouldn’t do this. She wouldn’t use magic to wipe away magic when it’s the very thing keeping her alive. If I had to guess, someone did this to her. She most likely needs help—assuming she’s still alive at all. I can’t tell you what you’ll find up there. After twenty years, it could look exactly the same, or have completely transformed.”
“Who would have the power to do such a thing to someone as powerful as the Oracle?”
“I don’t know. It may not even be one person. Their powers would have to outmatch that of the woman capable of gifting magic to others. She is more than just a seer. She is the keeper,” Mother explains.
“Then I hope she has the answers we need. I can’t lose Roselyn.”
“And you won’t. If your mission is to stop this storm and repair the damage done, I suggest we get going.” She pats my knee before standing and walking to her armoire.
“We?” I stand, wondering what she’s thinking.
“When love is involved, you should never go alone. Roselyn isn’t here, which tells me you are going to need a companion.”
“Mother, you’re not coming with me,” I state.
“And why ever not?”
“I’m not going alone. The wizard I purchased the rose from is taking me. This is the price I’m paying for getting that rose in the first place.”
“Osric, you did what you thought you needed to do. Don’t fret to the point that you become senseless. You have magic—”
“No, I don’t. Not anymore. It was washed away in the storm. I’ve already tried to use it,” I counter.
“Even so, how can it hurt to have one more person on your side?”
“I don’t want you to get hurt. Besides, Father needs you here, as do Alaric and Ulric. There is far too much going on for you to leave your kingdom now.”
“I wish I could argue that it wasn’t true. Even with it so, my second son also needs me. How can it be that your brothers are more important?”
“It is not that they are more important. Only that more people need you here.”
“Perhaps you are right. When did you become so wise?”
“When I fell in love with Roselyn, I suppose.”
“That kind of magic is far more powerful than this storm. I’ve already told you—love is the most powerful magic of all, and it isn’t something that a storm can just wash away.”
“How does that help me fight the storm itself?”
“You and the wizard are going to have to figure that out. I do not know. I am sorry.” She pulls me into a hug. “But I believe in you.”
“Thank you, Mother. For everything.” I wrap my arms around her, not wanting to go.
“I have one more gift for you.” She steps back and returns to her armoire.
“Oh?”
“This was given to me in one of my greatest times of need. If not for this gift, I would never have been able to defeat the prince
ss witch all those years ago. And now I see that you, too, are going to need a helping claw.” She winks.
Her words confuse me, as I believe the expression is “helping hand.”
She turns around, holding something wrapped in cloth. She gently sets the item on the bed and begins unwrapping it.
I watch as the most beautiful sword I’ve ever seen comes into view. A dragon head for the pommel, wings and a claw for the guard. The sheath is forest green, protecting the blade.
“This is beautiful.” I run my finger over the hilt.
“Pick it up. See how it feels.” She steps aside.
I do as she says, unsheathing the sword and admiring the blade, which is in pristine condition.
“I’ve never held a more stunning sword. You cannot expect me to take this and use it. I need a sword I can get dirty.” I slide the sheath back on and lay it on the cloth.
“This is more than a sword, son. This is an army. You are going to need help if the person who is doing this has hurt Selma. Use this weapon to call upon the king of the dragons, Fuentes. For when you do so, he will come, and he will be your guide, your guardian, and your friend. He will protect you whenever you need it most.” Tears form in her eyes as she says the words. My mother has a dragon on her side.
A dragon who will now be on my side. Suddenly, this mission doesn’t seem quite as bleak.
“Thank you. Thank you so much!” I hug her one more time, unsure what I could ever do to show just how much I mean those words.
“You’re welcome.” She laughs, a beautiful sound.
I step back and pick up the sword again. “I best be going. I need to rest before we set out.”
“Yes, you do. Be careful. And Osric?”
“Yes?”
“One more thing. Take gloves.” She wraps her arms around me and hugs me until I step back. I walk through the corridors numb, trying not to think of what awaits me on that mountain. When I make it to my quarters, I promptly climb into bed and hope that sleep will come long enough for me to rest, even if only for a little while.
It’s still dark out when Edda nudges me awake. I half hoped that it was all a nightmare, that I would awaken to the sun shining in my eyes, Edda smiling at me as she comments on my ability to sleep so much.
But alas, a frown greets me instead, and the sky is still dark. “Prince, I am sorry to wake you so early, but a wizard is requesting your presence.”
I throw back the covers and begin shivering as I make my way from my bed to the clothes laid out for me. I quickly change and grab my satchel. One check to ensure I have all that I may need, then I leave my room and follow Edda through the corridors and down to the kitchens.
“You’ll want food for your journey, Your Highness.” She nods to the cook, who offers me a smile before handing me another satchel filled to the brim with food.
“Thank you.” I return her smile before turning to face Edda.
“Take care of Mother and Father for me, Edda.” She wipes a tear from her eye as she nods. I can’t help but chuckle. “What’s the matter?”
“Oh, Osric, I knew this day would come. I knew I would have to say good-bye to you as you went out on your adventure. It’s in your blood.” She winks.
Another chuckle escapes my lips. “Thank you, Edda.” I kiss her on the cheek and turn to leave. The wizard is standing at the door, waiting for me. He looks uneasy, and I can understand why. I’m anxious to get this over with too, to put it behind me and return to Roselyn.
Once we get outside, I begin walking toward the stables to fetch a horse. The wizard grabs my arm and pulls me back. “Your Highness, you will not need a horse.”
“You expect me to believe we can do this on foot? On horseback, it’s a day’s ride to the mountain.
If we walk, it will take at least three,” I counter.
“Your Highness, we aren’t going on foot. The queen was kind enough to call upon help for us. With just the two of us, we may never save the world.”
“And where might this help be?” I look around, but we stand alone in the courtyard, not another person in sight.
“Follow me.” He begins walking, leaving me with little choice. I follow behind him, looking to find an army of others willing to help us, but we continue on foot, just us two. The storm has calmed, the wind barely a breeze.
The rain has turned into a drizzle, but the chill still bites. I pull my cloak closer to me and shiver as I walk in the wizard’s footsteps. My heart sinks when we approach the road between castles, the path leading directly to the mountain.
“What is this? I thought we weren’t going on foot.”
“You’re not, Prince.” A deep voice rattles my very bones. I walk a little farther to find the “help.” His blue-and-silver scales shine bright, even without sunlight. His wings lie flat against him, but based on his considerable stature, I can only imagine how wide they spread.
“Osric, your mother would like for you to meet one of her very old friends, Fuentes.”
I look at the sword now strapped to my belt. If Mother gave me the sword, how did she already call upon the dragon? Perhaps she did so before giving it to me.
I have to take a deep breath before bowing. “A pleasure, Your Majesty.” I wait for him to return my bow before I stand straight again.
“You are her son, are you not?” the dragon asks.
“I am.” I nod. I can’t take my eyes away from him. All this time, after many years of hearing the stories of my mother’s adventures with the dragon, how this very beast helped save our world—never once did I think I would have the honor of meeting him.
And yet, here he is, waiting to help me on my journey. There is no other way to describe my action but merely saying, I gawk. The king of all dragons before me, here to help me save magic and fix the mess I’ve caused.
“Gwydion, we must leave soon.” Fuentes speaks to the wizard, who nods in agreement.
“Come, Prince.” I follow the wizard as he approaches Fuentes’s side. He uses the dragon’s scales as holds and climbs upon his back. “We do not have all the time in the world, Osric. Please hurry.” Gwydion gets situated, and both he and the dragon wait for me.
I take a deep breath and follow his movements, hoping I do not hurt Fuentes. As I find a foothold, I notice how thick his scales are, and wonder if I could do damage on my own anyway. He doesn’t move at all until I am firmly on his back, sitting right behind the wizard.
“Let us ride and ride fast, my friend, for we do not want to be caught in the storm about to befall this kingdom and all the kingdoms in Avonathia.”
Fuentes steps farther down the path, away from the castles and towns, before spreading his wings. They are as massive as I expected. I marvel at their expanse and great beauty. They shimmer even in the dullest purple haze blocking the sunlight.
He looks back, a smirk evident on his face before he turns and takes one giant leap. Then we’re soaring through the black clouds. It feels as if the air is sucked right from my lungs. Several seconds pass before I can breathe again.
And if I thought it had been cold on the ground, what I feel now is beyond freezing. The only thing keeping me from turning into a block of ice is the warmth Fuente provides. His scales heat beneath me until I am warm enough that the shivering stops.
Gwydion spreads his arms and hollers as if he is having a grand old time. I hold on to the scales beside my legs, unable to loosen my grip even if I wanted to. How the wizard can be so carefree while his very life could end, should lightning decide to bolt across him right now, I will never know.
Never before did I believe I could be afraid of heights. Even climbing the castle wall to see Roselyn did not frighten me. I squeeze my eyes shut and hope my heart calms before it beats right out of my chest.
As we approach the mountain, the clouds grow darker, with very little light to be found. What looks to be the heart of the storm rages over the mountain peak. I hate to think of what we will find when we get there.
“M
ilady, Queen Jossa has demanded your presence,” Madrid says with a light pat on my shoulder. I wish to ignore her. I know the queen will wonder why my eyes are rimmed in red, why my face is puffy. She will want to know why I’ve been crying.
Osric is gone. Chavez is here. And right now, I wish more than anything that their places could be switched. But I know that Jossa will punish Madrid if I do not meet her for Chavez’s welcome party.
With dread filling me, I climb from my bed and allow Madrid to help me change into a gown that will please Mother. Its vibrant red color brightens the dark room. I cast a glance outside and note the cloud-covered sky.
The storm still thrives. It terrifies me to know that Osric is traveling into the darkest, most dangerous part of the storm. What if he doesn’t make it out alive? What if he does, but it’s too late? So much hangs in the balance, and all I can do is wait.
“Princess.” Madrid touches my shoulder again. “Should I inform the queen that you are not feeling well?” I look at her, and catch my reflection in the mirror behind her.
“No. I’m sorry.” I shake my head and let her put my hair up. Once she is finished, I step into a pair of slippers and allow Madrid to lead me to my mother. We pass through the great hall, now filled with people.
Every person in the room appears scared and cold. I worry for them. What happens when Jossa changes her mind and throws everyone out? What happens if Osric and the wizard can’t fix this?
We continue walking until we stand before the grand doors leading outside. I wish I had thought to bring a cloak with me. I hadn’t known we would be welcoming the prince out in the storm. I cross my arms and try to keep myself warm as we step outside.
The queen does not look so well herself. It would appear that the break of all enchantments has shown her real features. Her skin is more wrinkled than I’ve ever seen it. There are bags beneath her eyes that were not there before. It makes me smile, knowing she had to use magic to keep up her good looks.
“It is about time, Princess Roselyn. I should hate to think that you would allow your fiancé to arrive without being here to greet him,” Mother says without turning to look at me.
The Enchanted Rose Page 8
