“They’ve helped Castletree.”
“Not for much longer. And if Castletree dies, so does your husband.” He turns to face me, and I try not to gape at the full extent of his wounds. Even with his magic, they will take a long time to heal. “Why would you do that, anyway?”
“I couldn’t watch him die,” I explain.
“Why not just make him fae?” he whispers.
“That isn’t within my power.” We’ve had this conversation before. The boy is obviously in a mood. I’m sure he’ll circle back soon enough to what he really wants from me. What he’s always after.
“You’re the bloody Queen,” he snarls. “You made yourself human.”
“Castletree is the source of all magic in the Vale. It’s eternal. So should he be,” I murmur. “Besides, I didn’t make myself human. I—never mind. I suppose we’re both fools when it comes to magic and love.”
The boy clutches his wrist, covering his frosted bargain bracelet. I dare him with my glare to ask his request again. One I couldn’t fulfill even if his mother hadn’t imprisoned me.
I could change fae into animal, myself into a beast, but I cannot make myself human any more than I can make him human.
I catch sight of something in the bag Caspian dropped beside him. Poking out is a leather notebook, the edges sprayed with blood, as if he was clutching it when…
When he was punished.
“The flail this time?” I muse.
“She let Shrowgar do it,” he mutters bitterly. “He really doesn’t like me.”
The book has fallen open, and I strain to read the neatly written words.
Things that make me smile.
Dancing to beautiful music
Fine clothing
Competitive board games
Annoying Keldarion
Rosalina, Rosalina, Rosalina
The last line is written in a different script, finer and more elegant. I place my finger against the crystal as if I could trace the letters. He toes the book shut and raises a brow at me. “You’re always so nosey.”
I stand and cross my arms, catching my reflection in the crystal: matted hair and a threadbare dress, feet bare. No wonder this man—no more than a child to my ancient eyes—doesn’t respect me for who I am. “There really is no entertainment of any sort down here. How about you offer the goblins a fiddle and start a merry band for me?”
He chuckles lightly, dark waves falling in his eyes.
I swallow, throat dry. “Did she … Did she give that to you?”
“Yes.”
He tilts his head, and hanging around his neck is a moonstone rose.
“And my necklace,” I ask slowly. “Did she give you that?”
With blood-stained fingertips, he gently touches the stone. “No. I stole it for safekeeping.”
“Caspian,” I say, hating the vulnerability in my voice. But his visits are so infrequent, and I need to know. “Please tell me. Are … are my daughters alive?”
He stares at me. Questions like this increase the risk of him coming here. Then he gives a long sigh. “Try as the world might, your youngest always manages to flutter away. And Rose … Well, she found your bow.”
The thought fills me with pride and fear. I can’t help but picture her eternally as the bundle in the cradle by the firelight, chestnut curls, and rounded ears. If she wields the Bow of Radiance … The look on the boy’s face is one of utter agony.
“What aren’t you telling me? Why were you punished?”
“They have her. Servants of the Below have her.”
My blood turns to ice, and it takes all my remaining strength to stay standing.
“I failed…” He blinks wildly, surprised. Failure is not something that happens often to him. “I’m not powerful enough.”
“Maybe not on your own.”
He stands. “Don’t start that again. I’m not working with you. I don’t work with anyone. And I won’t betray my mother.”
I press my palm against the crystal barrier. “I know all you have done for my daughters. All you have done for Castletree and the realms—”
Anger twists deep into his features. “I didn’t do that for you or for the realms or your dumb tree. You should have cursed me when you cursed the rest of them.”
“Regardless, there’s one thing I know. One thing I’m certain of.”
He looks up, reluctantly placing his palm against mine.
I offer him a sad smile. “I know you will never let any harm come to Rosalina. Caspian, you have always been a worthy mate for my daughter.”
Thank You For Reading!
Thank you so much for reading Forged by Malice! We hope you enjoyed your third adventure in the Enchanted Vale.
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The enchantment continues in…
BROKEN BY DAYLIGHT
BEASTS OF THE BRIAR BOOK 4
Summer 2024
Acknowledgments
Wow, here we are, at the end of Rosalina’s third adventure! It certainly the darkest story yet, and we must admit we had the time of our lives writing it. If you’re feeling a little heartbroken, please take solace in knowing our princes and Rosie are quite resilient, and they will be back wreaking havoc in Book 4!
If you’re cursing our names right now, let us give you a few more to add to the list, for this book could not be possible without the incredible love, support, and patience of those listed below.
Firstly, thank you to Susan Velazquez Colmant, super woman and agent extraordinaire. You must be a fae in disguise because you can work magic. We could not imagine a better champion for our stories. Thank you for helping us craft the Spring Realm into the magical world it is.
To the rest of the JABberwocky team, with special regards to Christina and Valentina, thank you for always having our back. We are so lucky to get to work with such a wonderful team.
To Stevie Finegan, wonder woman and agent extraordinaire. Working with you has been such a dream, and we are so grateful to have you on our side!
To our new favorite person in the entire world, our editor, Ajebowale Roberts. Meeting you has changed our lives! There is no one we trust Rosie with more than you, and we are so excited to keep creating magic with you. Thank you for loving Rosie and her beasts as much as us.
To Harper Voyager and Magpie: magic-makers, wonder-workers, and spell-weavers. You have fostered the most superb community of book lovers. We are so proud and appreciative to be a part of your team. Thank you for representing our stories in such a beautiful way.