4. Unwelcome Goodbye #3
Rose spilled into the room with a delighted, wickedly nosy smile on her lips and closed the door behind her. Then she practically dove for the bed and bounced on its surface as she stared up at Aaryn, unaware of who exactly had occupied that bed, if only for a moment.
"Aaryn. What the tear was all of that about?"
Her interest made Aaryn's cheeks flush. "What do you mean?"
"I mean—breakfast with the prince! At his side! What was it like?"
Aaryn frowned. "Honestly, it was uncomfortable. Everyone was staring."
Rose scoffed and slapped the bed with her hand. "Because the prince hasn't bothered to dine with a lady at his side… ever! Of course people would stare!"
"Shouldn't you be with Moss?" Aaryn suggested, eying her trousers and loose top, which were fit for only the type of care the dragons required.
"He's not even awake yet. He can wait a few moments for me to get the details."
"There are no details to be had. I'm simply going to help with the investigation into Starspark's disappearance."
She waggled her eyebrows. "A investigation with the prince? How… romantic," she sighed dreamily.
Aaryn couldn't help but wrinkle her nose. "I think I've had my fill of romance for the time being." Her voice came out with more bitterness than she intended it to.
Rose sat up, dangling her legs over the edge of the bed, and leaned forward. Her eyes were narrowed with intrigue and alight with curiosity.
"So… what did happen?"
Aaryn trudged over to sit beside her on the bed, and they both bounced as she landed.
"The brief version? I fell for a knight and she stole my dragon."
Rose knocked their shoulders together. "And the long, tangled, complicated version?"
Aaryn considered. The other Tethered were surely as curious as Rose, and would likely pester her for details.
But Rose had been the very first to welcome Aaryn into the exclusive folds of the Tethered, the one to support her and show her their ways and responsibilities, and Aaryn had found a meaningful friendship with the second-youngest Tethered.
Aaryn wondered if Rose had ever had a suitor. She'd spoken to Aaryn about the interests of the others. Like Wilma, who went through guards like dinner plates. Or Carissa, who had this on-and-off-again thing with a guard.
Aaryn supposed she had that in common with Carissa now. Except hers was certifiably off.
She sighed and slipped the note out of her dress. She supposed it didn't matter if she showed it off, because she'd be handing it over to the investigator in a short while anyway.
"I found this just a bit ago."
Rose practically dove for the paper in a comically desperate fashion, and Aaryn watched her expression carefully as she absorbed the words there.
First and foremost, she looked delighted. Then Aaryn watched her heart break as the apology sank in like the inked intentions had to paper.
Her dark eyes were sad and round as she looked up. "Is this her goodbye?"
The question made Aaryn pause.
It was written like a goodbye, wasn't it? Her hand itched to pull the note from Rose's, and the other woman must have sensed it somehow. She held it between them like an offering, and something in Aaryn eased when it was in her possession again.
"A goodbye," Aaryn murmured, tracing the words again with her thumb. "It's not one I welcome, because I'll be seeing her again. When I get Starspark back."
"Do you think you will?" Rose asked.
Aaryn stared at her. "There's no other option."
"Do you know where he was taken, then?"
Rose knew very well Aaryn did not. Was she gently trying to make Aaryn see the light, or was she doubtful of Aaryn's resolve? "That doesn't matter right now. The prince said we'd find him. And I believe him. We will get him back."
Rose nodded fiercely. "You're absolutely right. I'm sorry to question it. It's just—well, you know… your dragon isn't the first to disappear."
Aaryn's head snapped over so fast she probably would have a difficult time finding a comfortable position on her pillow that night. "What?"
"Yes. Although at the time, the Tethered went missing along with the dragon. It was years ago now, even before I joined." The delight of a secret lit up her eyes.
"What happened to her?" Aaryn asked, leaning closer. Her heart raced and she wasn't sure why.
"No one but the prince and his family really know. That's how tightly the secret was kept."
"But you know," Aaryn said quietly, not like a question, but a truth. Rose knew everything, because she was sly and smart. Smarter than people gave her credit for.
"Well…" She drew the word out deviously, a small tug at her lips.
But a knock at the door interrupted at possibly the worst time, and she startled, jumping to her feet.
"Tethered Aaryn?" a voice called through the wood. "I've been sent to collect you for the interview."
Rose frowned. "We can talk later. I should go see Moss anyway.
Good luck, okay?" Rose squeezed her hand and paused.
"I'm sorry your romance got cut short. It would've made a good story.
" And then she was opening the door to a polite guard, and Aaryn and the guard followed her only as far as the bottom of the stairs before they parted ways—Rose to her dragon, and Aaryn deeper into the castle.