“To see Keldarion, of course.” Marigold gestures for me to step as she slides a skirt up my legs. “He was always worried about the master spending so much time there.”
My heart quickens. They’ve never given me this much information, and I’m eager to learn anything I can about Keldarion’s past. “I didn’t know Kel spent a lot of time there.”
“His father was still High Prince,” Astrid says, face pinched in concentration as she works the paint brush across my chest. “Keldarion and the Prince of Thorns were searching for a great weapon said to be lost there.”
“Oh dear.” Marigold looks at me with a displeased expression. “Now this won’t do at all.”
I look down at the beautiful skirt. Marigold cut the chiffon in thin ribbons that flow down my legs. The material is dark black near my hips, fading to a transparent gray by my ankles.
“This is lovely,” I tell her, “but a little revealing.”
She tsks and pushes the material aside to uncover my bright pink polka dot panties.
I flush. “I guess they don’t exactly match.”
“Take those off.” Marigold winks. “I have just the thing.”
I shimmy out of my underpants, and Astrid gives an annoyed grimace at the interruption of her work.
Marigold waltzes over with the daintiest little black lace undies in her hand. “I have a feeling my girl is going to get lucky tonight.”
“I don’t know about that.” A month ago, I was kicked out of both Kel and Dayton’s rooms. Ez continues his routine of ignoring me as much as he can. And Farron…
My heart stutters. If his beast hadn’t emerged, something magical could have happened between us. But now, he’ll never trust himself around me.
“You might be too oblivious, but those men look at you like a flute of faerie wine in a sea of swill.” Marigold pats my cheek then sets the black panties on the bed.
“Done!” Astrid says.
I turn to the full-length mirror. Astrid has painted the most amazing designs using swirling lines. No, not lines. Thorns crawl up my torso, giving the illusion that my chest is covered in briars. The paint has stitched into tight black fabric, holding me in. But between the lines, my skin is bare.
It pairs perfectly with the gauzy skirt, which cinches high on my waist. When I move, it exposes my legs all the way to the top of my thighs. I always thought they were too big, but damn, I look sexy.
“This is…” I shake my head, telling myself I won’t cry. “This is amazing.”
“How do you want the sleeves?” Astrid asks.
I study the design in the mirror. Right now, the bodice curves up along the top of my chest, my shoulders and arms bare. My moonstone rose necklace, fixed by Farron, hangs between my cleavage.
Gently, I touch my exposed left wrist. A fresh start. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to express to Ezryn the gift he gave me. “This is perfect.”
They both smile, and Marigold places shoes at my feet, deep purple heels. I’ve been practicing in them the last few days, so I won’t embarrass myself down there.
“Wait, how do I take this off?” I gesture to the top.
“I like your thinking, girlie.” Marigold’s chest heaves with her laughter.
“It’s actually very malleable,” Astrid says. “Try it.”
I gently caress the soft fabric across my chest. It sways, brushing aside to reveal my breast. I release my hand and it snaps back.
“If you want it off for good, gather it and pull.”
“Alright.” I turn one last time to look in the mirror. I barely recognize myself.
“You could be mistaken for the Princess of Thorns,” Marigold coos.
“Don’t say things like that,” Astrid hisses. “And don’t let the master hear you.”
But it gives me an idea. I rush over to my bag with all my most precious treasures and carefully pull out the thorn crown Caspian gifted me at the Winter Solstice Ball. I place it on my head. “Did someone say Princess of Thorns?”
A knock sounds on my door, and we all jolt.
“Rosalina?” It’s Ezryn. “Are you almost ready? We’re set to depart.”
“One moment,” I call.
“Here, wear this.” Marigold fastens a heavy cloak around my shoulders, pulling the hood over my hair.
“Thanks.” I quickly grab my bag. “It’s probably cold out there.”
“That,” Marigold says, “and if the princes see you dressed in such a fashion, they’re not going to let you out of this keep.”
We make our way to the ruined library. Caspian had suggested a place where no one would see our thorn-ridden passage, and Farron agreed this would be the best spot. The rest of the Autumn royals think we’re returning to Castletree for the full moon, so nobody will be looking for us.
Moonlight illuminates the broken pillars, and ash wafts in the breeze. Tension shivers through the group as Farron pulls the thorn seed from his pocket, then kneels, digging a hole in the ash.
Keldarion fixes me with a stern glare. “You do not leave our side. One of us must always be with you. Do you understand, Rosalina?”
I nod, wringing my hands together. Nerves flutter in my stomach. I have no idea what to expect from this party.
The Winter Prince then settles his gaze on the others. “She is not to be alone.”
Ezryn and Dayton both nod.
Farron stands, stepping back from the seed he’d buried. “Here goes nothing.”
A sharp crackle of magic shudders through me. Giant thorn vines burst forth from the earth, looking so much like the ones that ensnare Castletree, a painful longing for home pangs in my chest.
The thorns twine around each other to form an arch. As soon as they connect, a ripple of enchantment flows down to the ground, resembling a wavering mirror.
“The way to the Below is open.” Ezryn says.
I step forward, placing a palm on the thorns. “This passage goes both ways.”
“Thank fuck for that,” Dayton says. “I don’t want to spend a moment longer in that place than we have to.”
My fingers dig into the plant. I know it must open on both sides so we can return home, but something doesn’t sit right with me.
“Thank you,” Farron says softly. “Thank you all for doing this with me.”
Dayton places a hand on his shoulder, and Ez follows his lead. Kel steps forward next and says, “We will bear this burden with you.”
“We stand with you, Farron,” I say.
He gives a rueful smirk. “Then let’s go wish that bastard a happy birthday.”
With that, he steps through the portal, followed by Dayton and Ez, until it’s just Keldarion and me standing beneath the moonlight.
His face is a firm line, but I see the pain flashing in his eyes. What must it be like for him to attend a celebration for someone who betrayed him?
“And I’m with you,” I say, offering my hand. Even if I’m still mad at him, I know he needs my support tonight.
“Thank you, Rose,” he says, taking my hand. Together, we step through the portal.
A cold breeze whips through me, and a chill flickers through my legs.
Then I realize something.
I totally forgot to put on my panties.
52
Rosalina
Light shimmers in my vision, and the cold breeze flutters to a stop as I walk through the portal and into the Below. Kel’s hand is tight in mine.
I inhale the thick air, rich with a sweet and almost floral scent. We’re in a cavern. Crystals line the walls, emitting a gentle glow of pink, blue, and purple. A small pool of water lies to our left, iridescent plant life gleaming at the bottom.
“This is beautiful,” I say, turning as I try to take it all in.
“Not nearly so beautiful as you,” a smooth voice says, “Princess.”
Kel’s grip tightens on my hand, tugging me back. Because standing at the opposite side of the cavern is the Prince of Thorns himself.
How long has he been waiting there?