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THE NEXT WEEK PASSED in a flurry. In the wake of Magdalina’s defeat and the end of her curse, Rose had to wonder if the kingdom had even more to celebrate than she did. She could not understand why that was at first, before Isra told her that the rumors and stories were already flying of her grand love story with Theo. Upon hearing the news, Rose had to grin. There was something about the magic of a love story, as the old rumors of her supposed relationship with Philip could testify.
So many things were happening. Many of those who had traveled to the capital for Isra and Philip’s wedding anticipated another week of parties and games and tournaments.
But even on a personal level, Rose knew there were plenty of things to keep her preoccupied, even on the day of her wedding.
Isra, no longer worried about assuming the duties of an heir apparent to the throne, was already planning her first adventure with Philip by her side.
“What did you say?” Rose asked. She was putting on her dress, preparing for the ceremony, when Isra told her of their intent to head off in search of Queen Lucia’s bottle.
“Why would you want to go and search for that?” Rose asked. “We had a lot of trouble on the road as it was.”
“You know I’ve always wanted to go on a grand adventure,” Isra said. “And Sophia is more than happy to tag along, too.”
“You can’t steal my squire.”
“She wants to be a blacksmith, Rose,” Isra told her. “Don’t force her into your mold. No one can take your place or do the things that you alone were meant to do.”
“I still think more women would like to be knights,” Rose said.
Isra smiled over the rim of her teacup. “I’m sure there are, with you leading the charge,” she said. “Maybe while you are here, you could do something about that. I’m sure Theo would be happy to help. Of course, he is so in love with you that you could tell him to walk off the edge of the world and, as long as you were with him, he would do it.”
Rose laughed. “I think he would likely try to talk more sense into me before that happens.”
“True.” Isra chuckled. “But speaking of Sophia, she told me that she has the Rose Ruby ready for you. She’s down in the smithing area with the bracelet she made for you. I’ve seen it, and she did a really good job.”
“Good to know,” Rose said. “If I am going to lose her as a squire, I would want her to have something better to pursue.”
“I’m sure that’s how Theo feels about Ethan.”
“He’s gotten better since the battle at Darkwood.”
“Yes, but Ethan is still working on a song for your wedding,” Isra said. “And he is waiting for the day when Penelope arrives with her family.”
“It will be weeks before she’s here,” Rose said. “I only just sent for her a few days ago.”
“Ethan’s taken after Theo,” Isra said. “He wants to prove himself worthy of her love.”
“He’s not even fourteen years yet.”
“Theo fell in love with you much sooner,” Isra reminded her in her most prudent tone. From that alone, Rose knew she had come prepared to argue if she needed.
Rose sighed. “I suppose that is true.” She hoped Ethan was not the only one who was worthy of love. She knew that he had been very taken with Penelope on Maltia, and as much as she now appreciated the miracle of love, she hoped he would not get hurt.
Hours after she left Isra, still wearing her new wedding dress, she fiddled with the gem in the heart of her new bracelet. Sophia had pierced the metal around the Rose Ruby perfectly, creating a rare work of art for her to wear, and just in time for her wedding.
Or more likely, a work of art I can keep safe. After all, Rose knew there was no practical reason for her to keep it. But seeing how Theo had given it to her, she wanted to cherish it along with him for the rest of her life.
Examining the bracelet closer, she smiled once more.
Her squire’s skills as a smith were growing, Rose thought. Even if her kindness was as constant as it always was. She held the piece of jewelry carefully, careful to make sure its magic did not cancel out the gifts of beauty and grace from Juana and Fiona.
Everything was perfect.
She had a beautiful gown. She had a lovely new bracelet. Her hair was done, her wedding was completely organized. Her curse was gone, her family was here, and her friends were all excited for her. But most of all, she had the love of her best friend, and in less than a few hours, he would declare his love for her before representatives from all corners of the kingdom, committing to her a lifetime of love and honor.
If only the weather would cooperate. She had to smile, knowing it was not the first time that the weather had tried to stop her. It had not deferred her before, and it would not stop her now.
But it was still unfortunate, Rose thought, as she glanced out the window. A dark storm was heading their way from over the horizon.
“Well,” she said with a small sigh, “it’s a good thing Theo wanted a small ceremony after all. We wouldn’t be able to accommodate the people otherwise.”
She thought about asking Mary to see if they could do something that would help hold off the weather. She glanced down at her white gown, knowing it would suffer the most if it would rain.
But just as she decided to head to her room to see if Mary was there, a strange sense of foreboding slipped over her, and darkened her mood with worry.
A second later, Rose watched as all of the guards lining the hallway suddenly slumped over. She stopped in surprise.
“Are you okay?” Rose hurried over to the nearest one, immediately recognizing Lannister, one of the guards who had traveled with her across the continent.
Lannister gave her a shrug before he yawned. “So ... sleepy,” he murmured, before he fell forward, already sleeping.
Rose dropped his arm and stepped back. “Something is wrong,” she said. “Something is terribly, terribly wrong.”
“Rose!”
Rose glanced over to see Mary hurrying toward her.
“Rose, you have to move,” Mary said. “You have go, quickly.”
“What’s wrong?” Rose asked, as she followed Mary toward the castle keep. “Something is happening, Mary. Tell me.”
“There’s a spell on the capital,” Mary said. “I’m not sure who is behind it, but everyone is falling asleep. It’s part fairy magic, and part sorcery. I can’t stop it.”
Rose blinked. She looked down at the Rose Ruby, which she saw was now glowing.
Mary sighed with relief. “You’re being protected,” she said. “Good. You can get out of here safely.”
“But I can’t protect you,” Rose said. “Not with the Rose Ruby. It can hurt you, just like it can affect Bachas and Elva. And I can’t just leave you.”
Mary slowed, as her wings started to flap more slowly. “Rose,” she said, “you have to go and find Theo. You are the ones who defeated Magdalina before.”
“Is there any way she is the one behind this?” Rose asked, suddenly nervous.
“I will be avenged.” Rose thought about Magdalina’s warning and shivered. No. It is not possible. I know she is dead.
Rose began to feel the panic in her throat, an impossibly foreign feeling after her last several days of happiness.
“I don’t know,” Mary repeated, as she yawned and sat down on a nearby window ledge. “I don’t know, Rose. It’s getting to me.”
Rose gave Mary a motherly kiss on the head. “It’s okay, Mary,” Rose said. “I will do my best to figure out what is going on.”
“I love you, Rose,” Mary whispered. “Please be careful.”
“I love you, too,” Rose said. “I’ll see you again soon.”
As Mary’s eyes fluttered shut and her wings flittered to a stop, Rose had to wonder if she was going to be able to keep her promise.
Before she could speculate, she heard Theo call her name.
“Rose!”
At the sound of his voice, Rose felt her stomach clench. He was calling for her. He needed her help.
She put her new bracelet carefully on her wrist, before folding it behind the layers of her gown. If the Rose Ruby was the only thing that was stopping her from falling asleep, she decided it was best to keep it close.
“I’m coming, Theo,” she breathed, as she hurried down the hall.
*25*