Chapter 16 Rosalina
Rosalina
My fingers tap on the page, the same one I’ve been on for the last fifteen minutes. I can’t even read without thinking of the cursed Autumn wing, the green flames, and Castletree falling apart.
I sit in Keep Wolfhelm’s library on a plush armchair near the fire, though the warmth barely touches the biting chill that lingers in the air.
The walls are vast panes of crystal etched with frostwork patterns that glimmer in the low light, like frozen vines creeping in intricate spirals.
Shelves carved from ice rise up, filled with books bound in pale leather and shimmering metals, their spines sparkling as if dusted with frost.
Above me, the ceiling arches, catching every flicker of light and scattering it into dancing rainbows that move across the walls. Even the floor beneath my feet is a glossy stretch of ice, though it’s warm to the touch. Some sort of fae magic I’m sure.
I’d love to have come here another time, when I could question Keldarion or Astrid about every little thing. Though I’m sure Farron has already mentioned—in a chiding tone—something about storing books on a shelf made of ice…
Across from me on a long couch, Dayton sleeps. It’s late afternoon, and I’m glad he’s been able to find some rest after everything that happened earlier today.
I hadn’t wanted to leave Castletree, but Marigold assured us that she was holding down the fort. She balked at my suggestion of the staff coming to stay in Frostfang.
“This is our home,” she said. “It is our duty and honor to care for Castletree until the high princes and our queen return.”
My stomach twists. When Day and I got back to Frostfang, all the other princes were gone.
Farron is in Autumn, but I’m not sure about Keldarion and Ezryn.
Their bonds feel far away. I hope Kel was able to shift back to his fae form this morning, because when I next see him, we’re having a long and hard conversation.
I will not let the people of Castletree suffer because he refuses to break his curse.
My finger traces the words on the book in my lap, its pages edged with silver. It’s filled with old legends from the Winter Realm. Another version of me would have loved to read it, but now, even books can’t help me escape.
Something bursts through my body, like a star being born, igniting every part of me. I throw my book to the ground and stand.
“Rosie?” Dayton sits up, blinking sleepily.
“He’s…he’s here.”
“Who?” Dayton asks.
But I’m already running through the long corridors, Dayton behind me. My breath comes ragged, and I can’t move fast enough, slipping over the slick floors. I burst into the courtyard and dash across the snow-covered cobblestone to the gate in the ice wall.
It’s like a meteor leaping from my chest, and I follow its glowing trail. “Open the gates,” I shout at the soldiers manning the entrance. “Open them!”
“I’d do what she says,” Dayton pants behind me. “This is a woman on a mission.”
The soldiers nod and gesture to someone at the top of the rampart. The huge wooden door creaks and swings open. Distantly, I’m aware that Keldarion must have given his entire castle orders to obey me, and their compliance has little to do with who I am.
But then again…
One soldier inclines his head at me. “As you wish, Golden Rose. Who awaits you beyond the gates?”
The gates make a final boom as they open, throwing up snow and cutting through the late afternoon mist. The words fall out of me in a whisper. “My mates.”
Beyond the wall, there are two silhouettes standing. Heart in my throat, I take a shaky step forward. The figures move closer. I gasp and cover my mouth with my hands, stifling a sob.
Ezryn has his arm around Caspian, helping him walk toward us. Ezryn rescued him…
One good reason. That’s what he meant. He rescued Caspian for me.
My heart feels like a dam near bursting. The sob I was fighting to contain pours out of me. I skid to a stop in front of them, almost afraid to touch them for fear they might disappear into mist.
“I love you too,” I say, the words bursting from me like a sunbeam trapped behind a cloud for far too long. “I love you, Caspian.”
His eyes widen and his lips part. I throw my arms around him, cutting off any sort of reply. “I meant to say it. I truly did. I was feeling it through my whole body, and I’ve ached with it for every moment you’ve been away.”
It was one of the last things Caspian said to me before he was stabbed by the Nightingale and I was sent to Winter. My biggest regret was not saying it back in that moment. But now that he’s with me again, I’ll make sure he knows it every minute of every day.
“You love me,” he says, voice wavering like he can’t decide if he’s stating a fact or asking a question.
I love you. I love you, I say in his mind and bury my face in the crook of his neck. “You’re safe. You’re home.”
“Home?” he repeats. This time, it’s definitely a question.
“You’re with me.”
His nose brushes mine, and he gives a weak smile. “I appreciate the hug, but I don’t have a lot of strength right now and—”
Ezryn has released him and we’re toppling. “How can I let you go?”
“Don’t.” Caspian’s lips meet mine as we fall. I breathe him in, lavender and darkness. It sweeps over me. He’s here. He’s here.
A firm hand catches me, and another arm snakes around to grab Cas.
“Ezryn.” I turn to face him. “One good reason?”
His dark eyes burrow into me. “You’re always my reason.”
“Thank you.”
I take Caspian on one side, and Ezryn supports him on the other. Caspian leans into me, breathing shallow. What happened to him down there?
“Where’s Keldarion?” Ezryn asks. “He’s not going to be happy about this.”
“I thought you would know.”
Ezryn shakes his head. “He was asleep as his wolf when I left.”
A pit settles in my stomach. Through our bond, he still feels far away. “Well, this should make getting the Prince of Thorns into the keep a little easier.”
Dayton leans against a stone wall as we approach. He gives an almost sad smirk. “Great job on the rescue, Ez. Very heroic. But even if we heal the thorny boy up, isn’t he going to start puking black goo all over Kel’s sparkly keep?”
My stomach drops, and I clutch Caspian tighter. He can’t survive on the surface; that’s what he told me.
Caspian raises his chin and looks straight ahead. “I’d rather die up here than live down there.”