Chapter 35
CHAPTER 35
Rosalina
“B e careful,” I say to Papa. He wraps his arms around my waist and squeezes me tight.
“You too, Rose. But not too careful. Take risks when you’re ready and rest when you need to. But most of all,” he pulls away to hold my gaze, “don’t be afraid of the fire within. It’s never led you astray before.”
My chest tightens, and I sniff back tears. I have to be strong for him, for all of them.
I stand in the entrance hall with Papa, Kel, Farron, Caspian, and Dayton. I’ve already had my weepy goodbye with Astrid and Marigold this morning—I don’t think I could stand another one.
We’ll all be going our separate ways after this. Caspian will use his thorns to transport Papa and Kel to Voidseal Bridge. From there, they’ll follow the Great Chasm deep beneath the earth to find the labyrinth my mother is imprisoned in. Meanwhile, Cas and Farron will continue to Cryptgarden, where the green crystals await. They’ve arranged to destroy the crystals in nine days; Caspian thinks it will be enough time for Kel and Papa to make their way through the labyrinth. My stomach twists, thinking of how everything will have to fall into place perfectly for them to pull this off.
But if anyone can, it’s Caspian, Farron, Kel, and Papa.
Dayton, Wrenley, and I will use my thorns to head back to Summer. Hopefully, Delphia’s waiting for us without incident. We’ll head to the capital, Hadria, and fight in the games to reclaim my bow. I close my eyes, feeling an ache in my chest. We’ll find Ezryn in Summer, too. I need to tell him …
Tell him what? I forgive him? I don’t know if I do. In Spring, it was as if he couldn’t see past his vengeance against Kairyn. But I know I have to find him. My heart depends on it.
I give my father one last hug. “Say hi to Mom for me.”
Papa turns away, but I catch him wiping the corners of his eyes.
Keldarion waits patiently. Dressed in a blue traveling cloak, leather pants, and a white shirt with loose laces, he looks even more handsome than when he’s in his finest garments.
He sweeps me in his arms, dipping me low for a kiss that takes my breath away. I tangle my hands in his long white hair. “We’ll be back here before we know it, won’t we?” I ask. “You and I, together?”
“Nothing in this world or the next could keep us apart,” he vows.
“I’m trusting you with my father’s life,” I whisper. “Keep him safe, Kel. Please.”
“Your father will see no harm as long as I’m with him. This is my duty. It is time for me to do what I’ve needed to do all these years and be the Protector of the Realms.”
“You’ve always been my protector, Kel.”
He kisses the top of my head and tightens his embrace. “When I see your mother, I’m going to tell her how strong her daughter is. How brave. How she’s saved the princes of Castletree.” A low chuckle rumbles through his chest. “And I’m going to ask her why she cursed us so badly, too.”
I allow myself a laugh and kiss Keldarion one last time. For now. We have overcome so much: frozen waters, banishment, loss, bargains. He’s right—nothing can keep us apart now.
I drift out of his embrace and over to Farron. He shifts uneasily from foot to foot. Anxiety roils through our bond. I know working with Caspian must be so hard for him, especially after what the Prince of Thorns did to Autumn’s sacred alder tree. “Fare, look at me.”
He grabs me, holding as tight as he possibly can. His chest heaves with breath. “I said I wouldn’t lose you again, Rosie.”
“You’re not going to.”
“I know. I won’t let it happen.”
I offer him a smile and tilt his jaw down toward me so I can capture his mouth in a kiss. “Don’t worry. Dayton’s going to look after me and Caspian’s going to look after you, too.” I shoot a look at the Prince of Thorns who’s fussing over the wrinkles in Dayton’s shirt. Dayton swats him away.
“Yeah, look after me. More like murder me in my sleep,” Farron says under his breath.
“I trust him. He’ll stick to his word. So, watch out for him, too, okay? For me?”
Farron sighs deeply and squeezes me. “Fine.”
“Did you say goodbye to Dayton already?” I ask.
Farron’s gaze drifts over my head. “Yeah, we said a few words.”
Now’s not the time for me to pry. I know Farron’s dealing with Dayton’s new circumstances in his own way, as am I.
My mate runs a languishing look up and down my body. “How am I going to be without you for stars know how long?”
I give his nose a gentle tap. “If you get lonely, just kiss Caspian.”
Farron’s face erupts into a red flush, and I laugh, giving him one last kiss before forcing myself away.
Lastly, I turn to Caspian. Despite saying he was leaving, he spent all night wrapped up with Keldarion and me. Thankfully, he was free of black goo this morning.
It was a night I’ll remember forever.
The Prince of Thorns bows low and takes my hand, kissing it whisper-soft. Looking up through his lashes, he offers a curved grin. “Wish me luck, Princess. I’m off to save the world.”
Before I can respond, he moves to stands in front of Kel, Farron, and my father.
Their impending absence is a tangible ache in my chest. I want to sink to my knees and sob, but I force myself to be strong.
“Good luck,” I whisper, voice breaking. “I love you so much.”
My father smiles, Kel nods, Farron squeezes his eyes shut, and Caspian winks. Dark purple briars erupt from the ground, wrap around their bodies, and then they’re gone. Disappeared beneath the earth.
I nearly collapse to my knees, their absence like a gravity pulling me down. But instead, I squeeze my eyes tight, take a shaky breath, and stand straighter. They’re being strong for me, for my mother, for the sake of the realms. I have to be strong, too.
Dayton places a hand on my shoulder. “Ready, Rosalina?”
Wrenley has crept around the corner. I guess she didn’t care to be here for any of the goodbyes. Why would she? If anything, she’s been more distant and quieter than I’ve ever seen her since arriving at Castletree. Even now, there’s a shadow of grief in her eyes.
But she has her mate here with her. Dayton will look after her, as he’ll look after me in the arena. I stare up at his ocean eyes, the too-serious expression on his face. We’ll work together to get my bow back and save Hadria from Kairyn’s occupation. We’ll be like … business partners.
That’s better than losing him entirely, so I’ll take it.
“I’m ready. Get in close,” I say.
Wrenley stands on one side of me, and Dayton goes on the other. I take a deep breath and look around the hall. Castletree, my home. I won’t let you down , I promise. One day, all of us will be back here within these halls as we should be.
“Let’s find Delphia and get out to sea as soon as possible,” I say. Golden briars swirl up around us. I close my eyes and concentrate on Corsa Tuga: the salty scent of the sea, the colorful buildings, the many ships in the harbor—
We surge under the earth, my briars transporting us in a golden cocoon. I keep my focus on Corsa Tuga. The busy marketplace, the sunwashed dock—
“Cannon fire!” Dayton cries.
We emerge in an alley just off the main market strip. Dayton bowls into me and Wrenley, pushing us to the ground. I try to catch my breath, but shrapnel whooshes over us. My ears ring with the explosion.
A shadow crosses over me, and I blink up at the sky. It’s one of Kairyn’s airships.
The Byzantar Isles have been found.