Chapter 29 #2
“Yes, it is,” Rose agreed, taking her mother’s hand and sitting on Shoshan’s other side, a bookend to Thorn, “but most difficult for Thorn, I think. Still, we all have things to discuss. I wanted to tell you in person, Mother, that Sebastien and I have agreed to be friends only. I gave him my blessing to be with Thorn.”
“Sebastien knows about Lilythorn?” Shoshan asked in considerable surprise.
Rose lifted her brows in question. “Lilythorn?”
“I’m trying it on,” Thorn explained. “And yes, Mother,” she said, feeling shy still to use the word, “we met a while ago.”
“That’s how I discovered Thorn’s—Lilythorn’s—existence,” Rose added.
“We are in love!” Thorn blurted. She’d felt as if she was bursting with the news. “Sebastien and I. We didn’t mean to hurt Rose, though.”
“You didn’t,” Rose assured her. “It’s really fine,” she told her concerned mother. “Sebastien and I were never a fit.” An odd expression crossed her face, Adsila cooed, and Rose stroked the kestrel’s beak.
“No, you never really were, I agree,” Shoshan murmured. “But you and Sebastien are,” she said to Thorn.
“He asked me to marry him and I said yes,” she added, managing a quieter tone, even though she wanted to shout it out.
“Congratulations,” Rose said, and Thorn believed she meant it sincerely. “I wish you both very happy together.”
“We, I, wish you happy, too, Rose. Sebastien told me that he’d promised you our support in whatever you decide, but I want you to know I mean it, too.”
“Thank you,” Rose replied gravely. She seemed so sad and Thorn desperately worried that it was her fault, that she’d somehow transferred her sorrow and loneliness onto Rose and stolen away all of Rose’s former confidence and joy. Only one of them lived …
“I never wanted any of … this,” Thorn said, gesturing weakly, feeling inadequate to explain because she had wanted this—a mother and a sister and a true love and a pretty dress and to be out in the world, but … not this way.
“None of us did,” Rose answered her with a quirk of a smile. “At least, not this way,” she added, seeming to read Thorn’s mind. “But we must take the cards life hands us and play our best game with them.”
“I don’t like any of this,” their mother fretted. “Lilythorn, you’re very young still and have experienced so little of the world. You don’t have to rush into marriage, despite Clotaire’s plans.”
“I want to marry Sebastien,” Thorn assured her mother. “I’m deliriously happy. It’s like a dream come true. The happy kind of dream.”
“Yes, but Rose—didn’t you tell her?—Clotaire plans to swap you out again and leave Rose in place at Soren’s court, and take Lilythorn away into another form of hidden captivity. He only wants to use you.”
“Sebastien told me,” Thorn assured her and Rose at once. “He knows everything, too, and Rose and I won’t switch. I’ll stay and Rose will … I don’t know what you plan to do?”
Rose’s smile spread into something wicked.
“I think Clotaire will find he is not the only one capable of scheming. We’ll let him think we’re falling in line until Lilythorn and Sebastien are married, Soren’s contract signed.
” She nodded to Thorn, as she absently stroked Adsila’s head with one finger, the kestrel making a trilling sound like a purr.
“Sebastien and Thorn will find their happiness with each other. And I’m going to make my own way. After I deal with Clotaire.”
“Be careful, Rose,” Shoshan cautioned, her face lined and weary. “I can’t bear to lose you, too. I already lost one daughter.” She took Thorn’s hand and squeezed it.
“I can’t let Clotaire remain free,” Rose said firmly. “He will view you as a loose end, Mother, and you know how he handles those.”
Shoshan whitened, then her pale eyes glittered. “I can handle myself. My power exceeds his.”
“And so does your heart,” Rose replied, not unkindly. “You wouldn’t be able to hurt him, not when it came down to it.”
“I think maybe I could,” Shoshan retorted, fire bringing color to her cheeks.
“Well, you won’t have to.”
“Remember that the blood geas still binds you. I wouldn’t put it past your father to have an in with Madame Hendricks and command you to obey her or some such.”
“I remember and I have an idea there. Let me do this. I need to. I finally understand why the avatar of a vengeful goddess chose to visit me.” Rose smiled on Adsila with affection. “Speaking of vengeance, I understand Jada has been dealt with. Are you satisfied, Lilythorn?”
“Yes. But…” She hesitated. “Can I ask you a question, Rose?”
“Anything,” Rose answered with sincerity. She reached across to take Thorn’s free hand, briefly joining them in a triangle of solidarity. “We are in this together.”
“I’ll let you two talk and take a moment for myself,” Shoshan said. She extracted her hands and hurried out.
“Is she all right?” Thorn asked, watching their mother go.
Rose gazed after Shoshan, also, a line between her elegant brows. “I hope so. All of this is hard on her, too. We will get through this because we must.” She seemed to shake something off. “Ask your question.”
Thorn wanted to pursue the question, but made herself set it down. “You say you understand why Adsila came to you and now Sebastien has Bunny as his companion. And Moriah came to me, but now she’s gone again. Do you think she’ll be back?”
Rose smiled, then shook her head and tipped her chin toward Adsila. “Any answers, numinous one?” She rolled her eyes. “I rather envy you and Sebastien that your companions actually talk to you.”
“I envy you that yours stay with you,” Thorn burst out.
“Ah, well. Moriah may be the antimage, but she is also a cat and you know how they are. They walk by themselves and come and go as they please. But yes, I think she’ll be back.
You will need help in Soren’s court. I don’t know what the future will bring, but the lions are restless for meat and war looms on the horizon.
” She sighed. “You will have love, and happiness from that, but that solves only some problems.”