18. The Rose
Chapter 18
The Rose
“ W hat in the actual hell was that?” Kenna’s eyes were nearly bursting from her head as she looked from the demon at our feet to the demon next to the still unconscious Eris and back to me.
“Right now, I truly don’t know what to make of all this.” I exhaled deeply in an attempt to clear my mind or at least regulate my still-pounding heart, but it did little to help.
“We should check her over.”
I placed Kenna’s sword in the sheath at my hip and began walking toward Eris’ near-lifeless form as I pulled back the morsel of power I’d released. The loss left my arms heavy and my chest somewhat hollow.
“Poke her to see if she’s dead.”
“I’m not poking her.” I crouched beside her to place my fingers against her neck and sighed in relief when I felt her pulse still beating.
“That’s basically poking her in the neck,” Kenna grumbled.
“We need to get her to a healer.” I stayed crouched by Eris’ side but looked up to see that despite Kenna’s apathetic quip, her face had gone white.
“No one will ever believe this.” Her eyes were fixed on the demon who’d snapped his neck. I couldn’t blame her. If not for the combination of adrenaline and lingering fear coursing through my veins, I’d likely be doing the same.
“I can barely believe this, and I was present for it.” I stood and brushed my hands against the legs of my pants. “You good?”
“Of course I’m good,” she snapped. She left the demon where he lay and stood over Eris’ unconscious body.
“What’s her living-to-dead ratio?”
“Living-to-dead ratio?” I repeated, “What does that even mean? She’s either alive or she’s dead, and based on the fact that her chest is still rising and falling, I’d bet a year’s worth of chocolate cake she’s not dead.”
“But is she mostly dead or mostly living?” she continued, “Mostly living means we have time to get her to a healer. Mostly dead means we’ll be carrying dead weight back through the forest and delivering a corpse. Which, if you ask me, is both a waste of our current physical energy and our future tolerance for political absurdity because if we deliver a dead fox without explanation or proof we didn’t kill her, things are going to get messy. I’m not saying I’m scared of Asher, but if I saw him at the end of a dark hallway holding a knife I’d consider taking a different route.”
“First of all,” I put one finger in the air, “We’re not leaving someone we just battled literal demons to save to die alone in the woods because we don’t want the hassle of dealing with her potential death. Second of all, even if we were okay with leaving her to die alone—which we aren’t—how do you think Asher would react if he discovered we left her corpse here?”
“He wouldn’t know.”
“Of course, he would know.”
“Not if neither of us tell anyone. We can just move her body farther back into the brush and claim innocence when we return to the scene. It’s simple.” She shrugged her shoulders and looked at me the way I imagined parents looked at their children when they asked silly questions.
Kenna’s eyes rolled at my refusal to abandon her, but she didn’t argue further.
“She didn’t use her magic,” I said, more to myself than to Kenna, but she replied anyway.
“She probably hasn’t met her bonded yet.”
“Her what?” I’d studied the foxes in school, but nothing like this had ever come up.
“Her bonded.” She stressed the second word as if it were an obvious explanation. “Do they teach you nothing in the Othniel Pack? A fox’s bonded is like a psychic mate, like pre-destined partners whose genetic makeup and powers bring balance to yours. When a bonded pair touches for the first time, it’s like a vault containing their magic is cracked open.”
“Cracked open but not fully available?” She nodded and began collecting arrows from the bodies and ground, wiping each bloody tip on the leather of her pants before placing them back in their quiver.
I pulled Eris onto my back as Kenna retrieved her final bloodied arrows from the demon’s body. When she caught me gaping at her she shrugged her shoulders and said, “Just because they stink of demon doesn’t mean they can’t be reused. I’d hate to waste them.”
I suspected she hated to waste anything that may one day serve her purpose. I didn’t know how demon blood-encrusted arrows would benefit her, nor did I want to. The smirk on her face told me all I cared to know.
“You do know, we’re never getting the blood out of these clothes, right?” I asked.She grinned and rubbed her hands into the leather a little harder. “I know. I think it serves as a nice warning, don’t you?”
I shook my head and said nothing.
“At the very least, being covered in blood when we arrive will make for a memorable entrance.” She placed her still blood-stained hands on her hips. She smiled widely but no joy or humor reached her eyes, they were still veiled in unease.
“I think I’ve had enough dramatic entrances, thank you.” Goddess only knew what new rumors would fly when we arrived together, covered in blood, reeking of death, and carrying the knocked-out Viscountess from another realm. I’d been at the Academy less than a fortnight and my life had already turned to chaos.
“You might as well enjoy the attention,” she said, “You’re going to get it either way.”
I hitched the fox higher on my back and started walking. The added weight wasn’t much of a challenge, it was, however, a bit awkward to maneuver us both under low branches, around the boulders, and over fallen trees.
“I’m not offering to take a turn.” Kenna looked me up and down after I’d narrowly avoided falling into a burrow. I snorted.
“I never thought you would.” I was surprised she’d even feel the need to clarify.
“What did he say to you, by the way?” Kenna asked. “The demon.”
A thick web of ice crawled up my spine and settled in my throat, threatening to prevent the words I knew I needed to say from leaving my throat.
“Nothing worth repeating,” I said, sending a quick prayer to whatever goddess would listen that I sounded convincing.
Kenna’s face was solemn as she searched mine. My heart skipped a beat when her brow creased, certain she’d sensed my deception or had somehow overheard the demon’s taunts amidst the chaos, but she only sighed and nodded.
I hiked Eris further onto my back and did what I’d done since the day I’d woken up surrounded by death: I kept moving forward.
“Goddess Briar, how many times do you need to walk into school covered in blood before you’ve had enough attention?”
I turned to face Isaac just as his hands grasped my face, his fingers threading through my hair. Isaac’s smile was brittle at best. The turn of his lips may have been convincing to someone else if not for the crease between his brows.
“Hopefully just twice,” I wrapped my hands around his but left them where they were. “You know I can’t resist a good crowd.”
He laughed shakily and nodded.
“I’m fine too,” Kenna leaned in until her head was resting on my shoulder, “Thanks for asking.”
“I didn’t ask if she was okay. I already knew she’d walk away from any fight as the victor.” Isaac took a step back, his grin turning more genuine as a twinkle of humor appeared in his eyes. “I just want to prepare myself for any future calamities or at least keep a wash basin at the ready.”
“I like that answer, Isaac Cadell. I’ve been seeing you in a whole new light since this one arrived. Are you sure you haven’t been hiding from me?” Kenna smiled widely, and I snorted when Isaac shuddered.
I turned from their exchange and looked through the open door to the foxes huddled around Eris’ bed in the infirmary.
It was a good thing my natural temperature was elevated because as Asher and Fabian had brushed past us to get to their injured family member, I swore an arctic breeze had been left in their wake. The normally smiling Fabian didn’t even spare us a stone-faced glance, and I wished Asher had done us the same discourtesy.
The Crown Prince’s steps hadn’t faltered, but his stormy gaze captured mine for more than a few moments as he strode by. He looked me up and down with calculating eyes and seemed to catalog every inch of me as he went.
I’d done nothing wrong, but he didn’t know that yet. If one of my pack mates had returned bloody and unconscious in the arms of another realm, I’d be suspicious. I may even be violent depending on the circumstances. Part of me respected the foxes’ self-control even as another part of me bristled at the silent accusation we’d cause another realm.
Kenna, of course, had unhelpfully murmured something about the consequences of Eris being mostly alive or mostly dead. I’d pointedly ignored her.
“Briar!” I refused to cringe at the booming voice coming at the end of the hall and glared at a sheepish Isaac accusingly.
“We had to tell him,” he said, “I thought I bought us some time by asking Marcus to do it, but he is the Alpha, and this does involve his pack.”
“Great,” I grumbled, and Isaac leaned down to whisper in my ear.
“Plus, I knew he’d be worried about you. Try to give him a little grace. I don’t think he quite knows how to handle his own emotions, especially when it comes to you.”
I turned to him and started to ask, “What is that supposed to—” until a heavy hand on my shoulder spun me away from my best friend
“Goddess didn’t you hear me call your name? Are you okay?” Grayson’s frantic eyes jumped around looking me over, presumably for any sign of injury. Without waiting for an answer he asked, “Whose blood is this? Did you see a healer? What the hell happened to your arm?”
One of his hands slid from my shoulder up my neck until it cupped my cheek with more gentleness than I’d expected from the anger in his voice.
“And another male in my pack renders me completely invisible. How disappointing.” Kenna shook her head from the corner of my eye. “If you’re done fawning over her like a mother with her infant child, maybe we can answer a few of your questions. If you don’t pause for a moment’s breath not only will you never have your answers, but you’re liable to suffocate yourself with panic. I’m not dragging your unconscious body out of the hall, so get yourself together.”
“I am not panicking.” Grayson dropped his hold on me and glowered at the smirking lioness.
“You keep telling yourself that.” Kenna indulgently patted his shoulder. “Whatever you need to feel secure in your masculinity. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone you lost it at the sight of her covered in blood. Your secret’s safe with me.”
Their bickering continued, but I stopped paying attention the moment I noticed Eris was upright and speaking with her cousin and brother whose attention turned our way as she pointed toward us as she, I could only assume, recounted the day’s events.
The death god stood and narrowed his eyes as he took one step in my direction and then another. Fabian, though less solemn than when he first arrived, still wore a serious expression as he rose to follow.
“Oh, goddess.” Isaac’s muttered curse drew Grayson and Kenna out of their back and forth.
I didn’t back away as they came toward us, nor did the pack mates at my back. Asher and Fabian were less than ten feet from me now and showed no signs of slowing.
Seven feet.
Four.
After saving Eris’ life, I was skeptical they meant any harm, but my hand hovered over the sheaths on my thigh, just in case. Better to stab someone than be stabbed by someone.
When there were less than two feet left between us, a tall, tree trunk of a wolf stepped up to my side, and angled his body just a sliver in front of mine. Despite the warmth that had flooded me at his earlier concern, I reminded myself I didn’t want Grayson’s protection anymore. I didn’t want his anything.
“Prince Asher, please accept my deepest apologies on my pack mates’ behalf.” My mouth fell open in shock. Any warmth I’d felt from his protective stance turned to a chill. He. Did. Not. “I’ll take full accountability for their actions in putting the Viscountess in harm’s way.”
I wasn’t sure who snorted behind me, but I considered thanking them. It assured me I wasn’t the only person to find his lack of faith absurd. I didn’t step in to correct Grayson’s mistake. If he wanted to make assumptions and look like an ignoramus, I would happily let him. A few days of smiles and support didn’t erase his offenses against me, but I had almost been convinced he was on my side–that he’d finally accepted I was stronger than he’d believed.
The death god merely stared at him with an apathetic quirk of his eyebrow and a tiny tilt of his head. It shifted a strand of charcoal hair into his eyes. He looked Grayson up and down before dismissing him entirely, offering no response to the Alpha’s unwarranted apology. Instead, he squared his shoulders to look at me.
Asher stepped closer. So close I had to tilt my head back to meet his ever-cold gaze. I itched to grab my dagger when he lifted his hands, but I stayed still. I didn’t need to add to the drama of today by assaulting a Crown Prince unprovoked. Without dropping his eyes from mine, he picked up my hand and slid a ring onto my middle finger. The metal was warm against my skin.
Despite myself, I looked down at the surprisingly delicate silver that now graced my hand. Silver vines twisted around each other to form an intricate band with small gems scattered throughout. The white circles flashed blue when they caught the light as I turned my hand one way and then the other.
Moonstone, how appropriate.
Two rough fingers pressed under my chin until my wide eyes met his own. I stared into his for a few seconds before I noticed he’d raised his opposite hand which sported a woven, moon-encrusted ring— the twin to the piece on my finger. When my eyes returned to him he held my gaze a moment longer before striding through the door and out of sight.
“What in the freaky fox proposals was that?” Kenna squeaked.
My sentiments exactly.
She–like the rest of us– was staring at the now empty corridor Asher had taken to depart. It was Fabian who answered, though his response was directed at me.
“Eris told us you saved her from demons in the woods. She’s a strong fighter but surely wouldn’t have survived without you.” I ignored Grayson’s sharp intake of breath and instead focused on Fabian’s face. It’d grown paler as he spoke of his sister’s possible demise. “We owe you a life debt. To repay your kindness and bravery, Asher has declared you to be under his, and through him all of our, protection. That ring marks it as true.”
Well damn.
Did I think the ring was pretty? Exceedingly so. Was I happy that this wasn’t, as Kenna put it, some kind of ‘freaky fox proposal?’ Also, yes. But did I particularly like someone marking me as theirs to protect, as if I could not fight my own battles? No. No, I did not.
“That’s very kind of you both, but truly not necessary.” Or wanted. “Anyone who came across her would have done the same. Please, don’t burden yourself by feeling indebted.” And please take this ring back before it causes any more rumors to circulate.
“Some people feel that needing help from someone outside of their realm is something deserving of an apology,” Fabian countered, his mouth serious but his eyes laughing at his less-than-subtle jab at Grayson. “I would hate to start an inter-realm incident by not thanking the woman who saved my little sister.”
His voice was pure velvet and honey as he grabbed my hand, placed a kiss on the back of it, and said, “Besides, I assure you it’s my absolute pleasure to ally with the sword-wielding warrior who dropped from the sky. Welcome to our court.” I extracted my hand from his but resisted taking a step back. So touchy, this male.
“It was my pleasure, and what anyone else would have done in my place,” I said unconvincingly, ignoring his ever-growing smile. “As you said, some people may feel that aiding others incurs a debt, but I am not some people.” I reached to pull the ring from my finger to return but he stayed my hand.
“Please don’t.” The teasing in his earlier tone was now absent. “For you to wear his ring is the highest honor he could bestow. We’d be grateful if you accept this token of our friendship and wear it always. To do otherwise, well. It may hurt the Prince’s feelings.” I was shocked he had any to hurt.
And how, exactly, could I refute that? I wasn’t as well-versed in Hidden politics and history as some, but even I knew the foxes would make a powerful ally or a ruthless enemy. My hands fell to my side, and I kept the token where it was. It would seem I had a new adornment, the permanent kind. At least it was pretty.
“Very well, then,” I conceded. “Thank you for this honor.”
“Thank you for earning it.” He gestured back over his shoulder as he said, “I should return to my sister’s side, but Asher will return shortly. He had a quick matter to attend to. We’d appreciate it if you’d allow him to accompany you when you make your report to the Headmaster.”
“Yes, of course. We’ll stay close by.”
“He shouldn’t be long.” He nodded in thanks, first to me, then to the wolf still brooding beside me. I may have imagined the mischief in his eyes at the latter, but I doubted it.
Once he was gone Grayson addressed me between gritted teeth.
“You didn’t think to warn me it’d been Eris in peril and not you or at least intervene when I apologized on your behalf?” He scoffed. “Do you enjoy making a fool of me in front of others?”
“You didn’t think to ask me before making foolish assumptions, why should I intervene when you voice them? Your lack of faith isn’t my burden to bear.”
“I know your expectations around your arrival are different than what’s happened, but I didn’t think your frustration would manifest in disloyalty to the pack. Let the issues between us be between us, not bleed into inter-realm relations.” He ran a hand through his hair and pulled at its roots. “Goddess, Briar, I didn’t expect you to be this self-centered.”
“Self-centered?” I drew out each syllable, reminding myself that revealing myself by setting his shirt on fire would be counterproductive.
“On a scale of dry bread to custard tart,” Kenna asked me, not bothering to whisper, “How tempted are you to punch him?”
“Strawberry pie,” I answered. She nodded as she considered this and took a large step away from Grayson’s side.
“I’m impressed with your restraint. I’d be at a solid custard tart by now. Maybe even with scorched sugar on top.”
“I’m not far off,” I admitted, “But the more frequently someone disappoints you, the more you expect it to happen, and the more you expect it to happen the less your blood boils each time it does.”
Kenna made a sound in agreement and started cleaning her nails with the tip of one of her daggers, apparently done discussing the subject.
“Speaking of blood,” Isaac said, looking us both up and down, “you two realize you are still covered in it, right?”
“Yep.” I popped my lips around the word and smiled at him. “I think it’s a nice warning to any potential adversaries, don’t you?”
“I think it makes you look unhinged.” Isaac’s immediate observation made Grayson grin from behind him. I glared. No grinning for him.
“Aw, thanks Isaac,” Kenna cooed and shifted her attention to me. “And while we’re on the topic of being covered in blood, why is it that both of us are standing here, sporting the blood of our vanquished enemies, and yet you are the only one who gets a freaky fox ring? Like, was I not also there, raining down arrows of destruction and pulling daggers through a demon’s throat?”
“Would you like me to go ask him for another so we can match?” I teased, “He seems rather friendly, so I’m sure the request would be well received.” So well received, it would likely end with Asher turning my blood into ice, or his blade stabbing me through the heart.
“I suppose not.” Her accompanying sigh could’ve launched a ship from the harbor on a breezeless day. “But let the record show, I am not impressed with being excluded. I mean, a girl kills a demon and what does she have to show for it?”
“Their blood soaking her skin and blade as a warning to her enemies?” I offered. Her smile brightened. “I’ll get you a slice of cake later as a reward.”
“Can we focus on what’s important for a second instead of blood and desserts?” Grayson interjected. He leaned against the stone wall and crossed his arms over his chest.
“I find both of those things extremely important,” Kenna, one finger raised in the air. Grayson ignored her. Isaac rolled his eyes. I smiled, and she winked back at me. The stab-happy little weirdo was growing on me.
“Are you sure they were demons?” Grayson asked solemnly. “Are you certain?”
I wasn’t smiling anymore. I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders before I said, “Yes. I’m certain.”
His entire body tensed. He turned to Kenna who’d halted her movements, dagger still pointed under one nail. She didn’t look away from the blade but nodded her confirmation.
“Damnit.” The curse escaped him on an exhale, and he dropped his head back to the stoned wall, his eyes falling shut.
“You took the words out of my mouth,” Isaac said under his breath.
We stood in heavy silence as the implications of the day grew even more potent in the space between us. Eventually, Grayson opened his eyes and straightened his head to be upright.
“This changes everything.”
“I know.” I knew more than he could begin to comprehend how very different things would be.
“Massacres,” he began, “towns and villages burned to the ground, sacrifices, possession—those are just the beginning of the atrocities demons leave in the wake.”
The rapid pulse pounding against the skin of his neck gave away his terror even more so than the slight tremor in his voice.
“I know,” I said again, this time more gently. I hesitated, but at the dejected look in his eye, I dared to move closer to rest a hand on his arm. “I know what it means. I remember.”
Except I didn’t—not really—and that was half the problem. I knew of the destruction and fear. I’d woken amongst the wreckage, but I didn’t know the role I’d played in creating it. What’s worse? Something told me the demon I’d met today had known everything I didn’t.
That he’d known me.
It was too much. My heart raced faster in my chest and that telltale sign of heat spreading from its center warned me to release Grayson’s arm before my hand grew too warm to his touch.
I knew I needed to control my breathing. Calm. I needed to be—no—look calm, but under the weight of Grayson, Isaac, and Kenna’s too-cunning eyes, my confidence faltered. I could not remain here and deceive them.
“I’m going to go grab some water, maybe wash some of the blood off.” I gave the best excuse for my departure I could muster at the moment. “I’ll be back in a few.”
I didn’t wait for Grayson to ask the questions manifesting in his eyes. I didn’t look at Isaac who would inevitably see through me and worry. I didn’t stop moving when I heard Kenna ask the others what was wrong with me. I simply walked away and prayed no one followed me.