Chapter 20 Rose
Rose strode purposefully through the deserted halls of the Palace of Eternal Sunlight.
‘Rose, wait!’ hissed Celeste, who was following close behind. ‘Are you sure we can just … be in here like this?’
‘Do you think Shen –’ Rose nearly spat his name – ‘ever asks himself that when he arrives in Anadawn unannounced?’
‘Probably not,’ said Celeste. ‘But – and don’t take this the wrong way – it isn’t exactly your style to go sneaking around like this.’
‘I can sneak just as well as Wren,’ said Rose.
‘As someone who has caught Wren sneaking around several times, I have to say that your sister is not as good at it as everyone thinks she is,’ Celeste pointed out. They came to the atrium, where the Forever Fountain was freely flowing, the water lit from within by flickering everlights. ‘So … where exactly are we going?’
‘I told you. We need to find something to wear.’
Celeste quirked an eyebrow. ‘I thought we needed to find an ancient weapon.’
‘Yes, that, too! But first clothes.’ Rose stole a quick glance at her reflection in the fountain before ushering Celeste away from it. ‘Shen’s hosting a party without me. Worse than a party, in fact. We have clearly stumbled upon some kind of suitors’ event. And if I am going to confront him – which I will – I need to be looking my best!’
‘Of course,’ said Celeste, marvelling at the tapestries on the walls as they entered the west wing of the palace. ‘So, we’re breaking into someone’s room and stealing their clothes?’
‘Shen stole me out of my bedroom when I was fast asleep!’ Rose felt compelled to remind her friend. ‘Surely I can borrow his cousin’s clothes for one night.’ She paused outside Lei Fan’s bedroom but then lost her nerve. Celeste was right. This wasn’t like her. It was one thing for Lei Fan to lend her a dress, it was another for Rose to simply take one without asking …
Just then, the patter of light footsteps echoed down the hall. Rose and Celeste froze, flattening themselves against the wall like a pair of frightened rabbits.
There came a shadow, and then a gasp. ‘Rose!’ Lei Fan’s voice rang out. ‘What are you doing here?’
Shen’s cousin looked radiant in an orange silk ensemble. The top had a high neckline but left her shoulders and back exposed. She wore matching silk trousers that brushed against the ground, and her glossy black hair was pulled into a high ponytail that had been wrapped in gold twine.
‘Hello, Lei Fan,’ said Rose, curtly, the affection she had for her friend warring with an unpleasant feeling of betrayal. ‘Surprised to see me?’
‘I’m thrilled to see you! I was starting to fear you weren’t going to come!’
‘What?’ said Rose, frowning. ‘How could I come to something I didn’t know about?’
Lei Fan’s face fell. ‘Oh no. We need to go and find Shen.’
‘Wait!’ Rose grabbed her hand. ‘First, I need your help.’
‘What is it?’ Lei Fan said, stiffening at the panic in Rose’s voice. ‘Is Anadawn in trouble? Is it Wren?’
Rose paused. ‘Well, yes to both of those things, actually.’ She batted them away for now. ‘But that isn’t why I want your help. I am severely underdressed. I need to find something to wear.’
Lei Fan’s brows rose. ‘Hang on,’ she said, looking between them. ‘Were you two about to break into my bedroom?’
‘Yeah, pretty much,’ said Celeste.
‘No!’ said Rose at the same time. She flushed. ‘We were actually hoping to bump into you here, and luckily we did!’ She laughed awkwardly. ‘Oh, sweet fate. How did you know to come here?’
She was answered by a low meow. Shadow, Lei Fan’s cat, poked her head out from behind her legs, her wide eyes simmering with suspicion.
‘Shadow came to fetch me!’ said Lei Fan, as though that was an entirely normal thing for a cat to do.
‘Oh, you sweet little thing – you must like me more than I thought,’ cooed Rose, reaching down to scratch behind her ears.
‘Or she doesn’t like you at all and wanted you to get caught,’ said Celeste. She waggled her fingers at Lei Fan. ‘I’m Celeste, by the way. Rose’s accomplice.’
‘My best friend,’ Rose clarified.
‘Of course,’ said Lei Fan, warmly. ‘I remember you well from the Battle of Anadawn.’
‘I was just telling Celeste that you have the most magnificent collection of dresses,’ said Rose.
Lei Fan beamed, delighted by her flattery. ‘If you were trying to get me on your side, then you have succeeded. Come on, I have new dresses that you haven’t seen before!’
‘Thank you,’ said Rose, eagerly following her into the bedroom.
Once inside, Lei Fan skipped across the messy floor and flung open her huge armoire.
‘Take your pick,’ she said. ‘I personally think the blue silk … no, not that one … the one behind the yellow one … yes, there … would make a real statement. It would look incredible on you.’
‘So, what exactly is going on tonight?’ said Rose, as she reached for the dark blue dress. It was made of such fine silk it nearly slipped through her fingers.
Lei Fan hesitated. ‘You have to understand, it’s a Sunkissed Kingdom tradition …’ she said, almost apologetically. ‘It’s a custom for every new monarch to hold a suitors’ ball.’
‘I knew it!’ said Rose, as she slipped the delicate blue dress over her head, grappling blindly with the straps.
‘But what’s unusual about this one is that so many foreign royals were invited,’ Lei Fan went on. ‘The King’s Choice was once only open to maidens here in the Sunkissed Kingdom. But since we’re ready to make our debut to the wider world, it seemed wise to use the event as an opportunity to establish relations with other nations.’
‘And whose bright idea was it to exclude Rose from the guest list?’ said Celeste.
Lei Fan frowned. ‘I’m afraid I wasn’t consulted on the guest list. But I am certain you would have been invited! There must have been some mix-up … you’ll have to ask Shen.’ Then her eyes lit up. ‘Although if you ask him wearing that dress, he might not be able to form words! Oh, Rose! That is absolutely the dress for you.’
‘It does seem to fit rather well,’ Rose admitted, as she admired herself in the mirror.
‘It looks like it was painted on to you.’ Celeste smirked.
Rose grinned at her reflection. The bodice was form-fitting, cut daringly low at her chest and held up by gossamer-thin straps. The silk skirt hugged her hips, and there were two high slits on either side revealing the pale columns of her legs as she walked.
Lei Fan pursed her lips. ‘It’s almost perfect.’ She rummaged around in a nearby jewellery box and returned with a pair of raindrop diamond earrings, each one the size of an almond. ‘Here, wear these. And put your hair up like this.’ She deftly piled Rose’s hair on top of her head and secured it with a silver pin, leaving a few artful curls to hang about her face.
She leaned back and assessed her work. ‘There’s something missing … Ah! Good thing I’ve been practising my enchantments.’
Lei Fan pinched some sand from a jar on her nightstand and set her attention on Rose’s gown, whispering a spell under her breath. The dress fluttered and when Rose looked down, she gasped with joy. Tiny iridescent stars twinkled across the gossamer silk. As she moved, the stars did, too, like tiny starcrests casting her future in real time.
‘Oh,’ Rose breathed. ‘This is the most beautiful dress I’ve ever worn. And I do own a lot of beautiful gowns.’
‘That is impressive,’ said Celeste, peering closer. ‘I can barely enchant the holes in my stockings to mend!’ She looked hopefully at Lei Fan. ‘Do you have anything that will fit me? I know I’m not confronting my lover but—’
‘Celeste!’ said Rose, blushing.
‘Or whatever it is you want to call Shen,’ she said, rolling her eyes. ‘But the fact remains. This is my first time in the Sunkissed Kingdom and I’d like to make an entrance, too.’
Lei Fan appraised Celeste. ‘Yellow,’ she said, definitively. ‘I have a yellow gown that will look ravishing on you.’
Lei Fan was right – Celeste did look ravishing in the yellow dress. It had a square neckline and a narrow bodice that tapered in at her waist, before cascading into a full skirt. Celeste twirled in the middle of the room, round and round and round, until the dress floated up and whirled around her knees. ‘If the dress can dance, then so can I,’ she proclaimed. ‘It’s perfect!’
Rose was having such a good time getting dressed up with Lei Fan and Celeste, she almost didn’t want to go back to the party.
But.
She had to see Shen.
No.
Shen had to see her.
Specifically, in this dress.
He had to explain himself, and this whole outrageous situation, immediately.
And then Rose needed to find the weapons she had come here for.
‘I can’t believe Shen Lo thought he could throw a grand party without you knowing,’ fumed Celeste, as they left the palace and returned to the square. ‘I’ll be right here if you need me, Rose. Just let me know if you’d rather me speak to Shen. I certainly have a thing or two I would like to say to him!’
Rose managed a smile. ‘You go and find Anika. I know you two left things rather unfinished in Gevra. You must have been missing her these past few months.’
Celeste sighed. ‘Of course I would go and fall for a Gevran.’
‘Well, that’s something you and Wren have in common,’ teased Rose. Thinking of her sister bolstered her now. Wren would be furious with Shen for hosting a party without inviting them. So, Rose decided she would be furious, too.
Furious was better than the alternative.
Devastated.
When Rose, Celeste and Lei-Fan arrived back in the courtyard, the dancing was still well under way. Shen was in the middle of the square, spinning Princess Elladora of Demarre, whose head was thrown back in laughter. Mercifully, someone had fetched him a new shirt. For a moment, Rose wanted to pick up her skirts and run as fast as she could out of the Sunkissed Kingdom. Run all the way across the Ganyeve Desert and back to Anadawn. But this was about more than her pride. She needed a witch-made weapon, and she knew she could find one here.
But first, she needed to remind Shen of exactly who she was. And that required an entrance.
‘It seems that we have one final arrival to the King’s Choice,’ boomed the Master of Ceremonies. ‘But I’m sure we can all agree that a beautiful maiden is better late than never. Especially this particular maiden …’
The music stopped. Everyone paused their dancing, craning their necks to see who exactly the enthusiastic announcer was referring to.
‘This is going to be fun,’ whispered Celeste, who was standing behind Rose.
Lei Fan called on the wind. It whistled through the winding streets of the Sunkissed Kingdom and extinguished all the lanterns, until only the everlights burned. With a whispered spell and a drop of sand, Celeste extinguished those, too, and then all was dark.
Except for Rose.
Her dress shone.
Sheshone.
The wind whooshed through the crowd, pushing it apart, clearing a pathway for Rose that led directly towards Shen. Holding her head high, she proceeded down the path, her dress moving daringly with each measured step. She kept her eyes on Shen, and Shen alone. Even in the dark she could trace his outline, but she couldn’t see his face. Only the way he stepped away from Princess Elladora and moved, almost spell struck, towards Rose.
She saw how his arms opened in welcome, and she had to stop herself from running to him. She kept her pace steady, even as she felt the eyes of everyone on her face, her body, heard the rising hush of a thousand whispers.
‘Queen Rose Valhart, of Eana,’ cried the Master of Ceremonies, just as Rose reached Shen.
The crowd erupted in cheers but she didn’t hear them. There was only Shen Lo and her, the rest of the world falling away into nothing.
‘Rose,’ he breathed, before bowing deep at the waist. He straightened up, caught in the glow of her dress, and she saw his face properly now. He was smiling in disbelief. ‘I … You look … beautiful … like a dream …’ His gaze roamed all the way down her body. He swallowed thickly. ‘My wildest dream.’
Rose didn’t smile back. She simply dipped her chin in acknowledgement of his words and then extended her hand.
Shen took it eagerly. As his lips brushed her skin, she felt her heart skip, but she kept her face neutral. Those lips had kissed many hands tonight, and that stung.
The rest of the world crept back in. The crowd grew restless, pushing closer. With a whoosh, the everlights came back on and the lanterns sparked to life. The music started up. Rose recognized the song. It was a popular Eanan dance, where one switched partners throughout. It felt especially apt.
‘Aren’t you going to say anything?’ said Shen, as he stepped towards her and raised his palm in invitation. His smile fell, his eyes darting nervously. ‘This must all seem rather strange to you … It’s strange for me, too.’
Rose placed her hand against his, her skin tingling at his touch. ‘On the contrary,’ she said, trying to keep the hurt from her voice. ‘You seem quite in your element. Perhaps I should apologize for interrupting.’
All around them, other dancers came together and began to spin.
‘You’re as welcome as the sunrise, Rose,’ said Shen, his eyes locked on hers. ‘I’m so glad you’re here.’
‘If that’s true, then why didn’t you invite me?’ Rose’s lip trembled and she looked away, embarrassed to be so upset.
Shen blinked in surprise but before he could reply, the key of the music changed. It was time to swap partners. The queen of Krale stepped forward to take Rose’s place. Rose nodded respectfully and saw the Krale queen’s eyes light up with recognition. ‘Your singing was spectacular, Queen Adrienne,’ said Rose, before turning to the man next to her to carry on the dance.
He had short brown hair and light brown eyes, and was so tall Rose had to tip her head back to see his face. Aware that Shen was still watching her – watching them – she gave the man her most dazzling smile. ‘Good evening,’ she said, coyly. ‘Shall we dance?’
The man beamed back at her before eagerly taking her hand. ‘With pleasure, Your Majesty.’
He expertly spun her, and when he twirled her back to him Rose made sure to laugh, breathily. ‘How skilled you are, sir.’
She could feel the heat of Shen’s gaze on her as she twirled once more, her dress shifting to reveal her legs.
When they next switched partners, Rose found herself dancing with a beautiful witch she recognized from the Battle of Anadawn, who wore a flowing pink gown and a delicate pearl hairband, and after her, a stern-faced dancer from the Krale delegation, before finding herself again in Shen’s arms.
‘You always drive me to distraction,’ he said, in a low whisper. ‘I love watching you dance.’
‘Just not enough to invite me to your ball,’ Rose said, through a clenched smile.
‘Of course I invited you,’ said Shen, frowning in confusion. ‘I’ve been waiting for you all evening.’
‘You certainly didn’t look all that impatient before,’ said Rose, refusing to be taken in so easily. For all she knew, he was putting it on to placate her, and she had been made a fool of once already tonight. She glanced around and saw that Celeste had indeed found Anika, and now both girls were dancing, only they weren’t following the traditional steps. Instead, they were twirling each other round and round, refusing to switch partners. Celeste was laughing, truly laughing, and the sound of her happiness at least made this evening somewhat bearable. ‘So, why don’t you tell me what the King’s Choice is exactly?’
Shen’s face fell, guilt tugging at his jaw. ‘It’s a silly tradition, Rose. I didn’t know exactly what was involved, as I’ve never been to one.’ At Rose’s unimpressed expression, he went on, desperately trying to explain himself. ‘My royal council insisted it would be a good idea to throw open our gates and make ourselves known on a grander stage, not to mention it would be a clever way to establish diplomatic ties. And I trust my advisors, just as my father did.’
Rose arched a brow. How ludicrous for a king not to know the goings-on in his own kingdom!
‘What precisely did you think the King’s Choice was?’ she said, icily.
‘I thought it would be a party. And I thought you would be here. Since you were invited.’
‘And what about the performances? The show?’
‘That show was for my kingdom,’ said Shen, sweeping a hand through his hair. His cheeks were flushed with embarrassment, and Rose almost believed him. ‘I’m doing my best not to offend anyone. It’s just politics. All of it. You must understand, Rose.’
‘You must understand this, Shen Lo,’ said Rose, rising to her tiptoes so they were eye to eye. His words might have sounded sincere but she was far too hurt – and worse, embarrassed – to consider them. ‘You have made a fool of me and I will not stand for it.’
Shen’s hands tightened on her waist. ‘Rose, you made a fool of me. How do you think I felt, waiting all night for you? You never even replied to the invitation!’
‘How many times do I need to tell you? I never received one!’ Rose said, pressing her hands against his chest to shove him away but instead finding herself caught in his night-dark gaze.
‘Well, then it’s my word against yours,’ he said.
‘Says the thief.’
‘Says the king.’ Shen spun her around and then pulled her back to him, pressing his hand against the small of her back. ‘Please. I’ve been waiting all night to dance with you.’ Suddenly it was all too much for Rose. His hands, strong and familiar on her body. His breath, soft against the shell of her ear. The hard planes of his chest, the heat of him moving against her. Her silk gown was so thin, it felt as if he was caressing her bare skin.
She ached to feel his hands on her skin, his lips against hers. She ached for all of him alone in a place where they could not be interrupted.
This time, when the key changed, Shen guided Rose away from the dance floor. He led her to a spot at the edge of the courtyard, where they could still see the dancers but nobody could hear them.
‘Rose, please listen,’ he said, his voice ragged. ‘The Sunkissed Kingdom has its own traditions and I’m still learning them. I only wished to honour what the kings of the past have done.’ He laughed at the very idea of it. ‘I’m just relieved Wren didn’t show up with you. We both know she would never let me live this embarrassing spectacle down.’
‘Well, now you’ll never know if either of us can swallow a sword.’
Shen grinned at her quip, but then his expression grew serious. ‘All I want is to be a good king, Rose. The kind my mother and father would be proud of.’ His vulnerability cracked Rose’s resolve. She knew it to be true – this desire to make his family proud, this fear that he would fall short.
She raised her hand to his cheek. ‘Shen, you are a good king. I’ve never been so certain of anything.’ Then she dropped her hand, looking away. ‘Though I am less certain about other things now …’
He frowned. ‘Like what?’
‘Like you and me,’ she said, stepping back. ‘I saw how you watched the other women up there. How you applauded their talents and appreciated their beauty. How you gazed longingly at the queen of Krale as she performed her love song!’
‘That’s because I was thinking of you!’ he said, as though it was supposed to be obvious.
Rose folded her arms. ‘What about the sword lady?’
‘That was impressive, you have to admit,’ he reasoned. ‘Impossible to look away from, really.’
‘I suppose it was … unique,’ Rose allowed. ‘But the stars? You certainly seemed enamoured with Elladora!’
Shen flashed a dimple. ‘I was thinking those flying stars would be a clever weapon for you. Their grace and delicacy … they would suit you, Rose. I’m going to have a set made in time for your next—’
‘I’m a witch, Shen,’ Rose said, with a huff. ‘I don’t need a weapon.’ Then she remembered why she was here. ‘Wait. Actually, now you mention it—’
‘Say that again,’ Shen interrupted, pulling her close.
‘What?’ she said, flustered.
‘That you’re a witch. I never tire of hearing it.’ He laid his forehead against hers. ‘And do you know why?’
She didn’t move away. ‘You’re insufferable, that’s why.’
‘Because I love that you know who you are now,’ he went on. ‘I love that you have embraced your true soul, Rose. Your true power. You’re one of the most incredible witches I’ve ever encountered.’
The word ‘love’ echoed in Rose’s ears, and she wished he would say more. Say that he loved her, so they could at last stop playing this silly game.
‘How could you ever doubt my feelings for you?’ His voice was stricken, his inky gaze pouring into hers. ‘When you’re here you’re the only one I can look at. Everything else – everyone else – falls away.’
They gazed at each other, and Rose felt the rest of her resolve crumbling. She wanted to forgive Shen, and more importantly she still hadn’t told him her real reason for coming – she hadn’t told him about Oonagh and—
‘Excuse me?’
Rose snapped her head up at the sound of a new voice. Princess Elladora was sidling over to join them, a coy smile on her face. Rose jumped back from Shen as if she’d been burned.
‘I’m sorry to interrupt,’ said Elladora, although she clearly wasn’t. ‘But King Shen and I didn’t get to finish our dance.’ She gave Rose a meaningful look.
‘Princess Elladora,’ said Rose, stiffly. ‘What a long time it has been. You are looking well.’
‘And you,’ said Elladora. ‘Who knew that dear little Rose would grow up to reveal so many … surprises?’ Her smiled sharpened. ‘A secret twin! Witches on the throne of Eana! When my father heard about it, he spat out his soup. We could hardly believe it.’
‘It has been a time of great change here in Eana,’ said Rose, tersely. ‘But all for the good. We look forward to continuing our strong allyship with Demarre.’
‘As do we,’ said Elladora. ‘And we are keen to build new relations with the Sunkissed Kingdom.’ Her eyes raked over Shen. ‘A powerful new ally, to be sure.’
Rose’s nostrils flared. She had to stop herself from physically stepping in front of Elladora to block her view of Shen.
‘Your Majesty, we must continue our dance,’ said Elladora, holding her hand out to Shen. ‘Otherwise, it would be a most inauspicious start.’
Shen cleared his throat. ‘Ah …’
‘You are aware my father boasts a larger navy than even Gevra,’ said Elladora. ‘We are a strong ally indeed. As I’m sure you know.’
‘Seeing as the Sunkissed Kingdom is landlocked, I doubt they have much use for boats,’ said Rose.
‘On the contrary, they will need boats all the more. So that they may rely on other countries beyond Eana to sustain their trade,’ said Elladora, all too sweetly, ‘… and other pursuits.’
Rose bristled. ‘We also have boats. Many boats. So many boats.’
‘Not as many as we do.’
‘Shall we carry on this conversation about boats at another time?’ said Shen, stepping into the space between them.
‘Once we finish our dance,’ said Elladora, taking his hand and pulling him away. ‘Come. I’ve asked the minstrels to play a traditional Demarre waltz.’
‘Ah, what a shame. I’m afraid I don’t know any Demarre dances,’ said Shen, trying to wriggle free of her grasp.
‘It will be my pleasure to instruct you,’ said Elladora, tugging until he gave way to her.
Rose blinked in surprise as Shen trailed after the triumphant princess. Turning around, he caught Rose’s eye. ‘I’m sorry,’ he mouthed. ‘Stay here.’
Rose glared at the back of his head. She had no intention of waiting around for him. She knew where she could find a weapon. She would simply go and borrow one and return it when she was done. And she didn’t need Shen Lo’s permission for that.