could compare. I ran two fingers along my injured wrist and healed the small bloody pinpricks left by the rosebush, sighing as the healing warmth filled my body.
“Interesting, isn’t it, that this particular rosebush grows here?” a voice said from behind me. I spun around on my heel and was face-to-face with Lord Earlsgaarde once again. It seemed he had an interest in following me, but I had no desire to answer any of his questions.
His mustache twitched, reminding me once again of a mouse. He moved forward to inspect the flower, and I wondered if he had seen the rose drink from my blood.
I turned slightly, giving him my shoulder, signaling that I did not want to continue this conversation.
“You can tell by the blood-red color of the blooms and the thorns speckled with a red hue that this is the imperial rose and is only able to bloom in Florin. Until now. Odd, don’t you think, that the imperial rose would be planted with such care in the royal garden of Baist, and is not only growing but thriving? Now how could that happen?” he asked suspiciously.
“I wouldn’t know,” I answered coldly, moving away from him.
He stood with his hands clasped behind his back as he studied me slyly, then gave me a grin. “I’m sorry, but I must know—why does the prince not recognize you? It’s obvious to me, at least, that you’re the new wife.”
It seemed I wouldn’t be able to appease him until I gave him an answer, and it felt good to finally tell the truth. “Because he has never set eyes on his wife. I was covered with veils on our wedding day, and he has bidden that I stay locked away in my rooms and guarded forever.”
“Ah, but a guard is no match for Lorelai’s daughter. Do you want to know why the prince refuses to look upon you?”
My quick inhale made Lord Earlsgaarde smile knowingly. “It’s fear. The king has as much told the prince that if he so much as looks at you, he will be forever under your spell.” Earlsgaarde came to stand next to me and whisper in my ear. “The same happened with your mother, and now everyone is scared of your beauty. Which is a shame, because beauty should be looked at, not hidden away. Am I right, Rosalie?” He said my name as a test, his eyes glittering as if he’d just uncovered a deep and buried secret.
“I’m sure it’s only a rumor.” My heart fluttering, I dared not react.
“Rest assured, it is no rumor. There is a witch and beast in residence here, but the question remains, which one murders in cold blood?”
“Why are you here?” I demanded.
His mustache twitched, and Earlsgaarde scratched his neck. “Much was taken from us that fateful night eighteen years ago. The king was heartbroken at the death of his queen. War is inevitable. Unless you can give us something we want?”
“What is that?”
“I think we have an idea, but the question is whether you’re willing to pay the price for peace.” His rubbed his mustache, and it wavered out of focus. No, it was a twitch. He was always twitching his mustache like it itched. “Peace is never free.”
“They’re dead,” I stated matter-of-factly. “And it happened eighteen years ago.”
“Time does not lessen the loss for the king. In fact, over time the pain can become septic. He wants retribution.”
“You won’t get it,” I said, astounded by the absurdity of his request.
“Yes, we will. For I am very, very patient,” Lord Earlsgaarde warned as he stepped back and then turned, heading back out of the maze.
I knew I should leave as well, but my eyes were once again drawn to the imperial rosebush. The plaque itself was old, faded over many winters and summers, the unnamed child long forgotten. Did my mother know who might lie below the earth?
I acted rashly, breaking off one of the roses and taking it with me. I would make cuttings and plant it in my room to study on my own time.
When I strayed too close to the edge of the gardens, I felt compulsion magic hit me hard.
Go away!
I paused. Spinning in a slow circle, I searched for the source, the caster, the witch, but I was alone. When I took another step, the compulsion came again.
Go back!
This time I knew there wasn’t a caster. Kneeling, I carefully brushed the gravel away and saw the glowing gold sigil on the ground. A