Page 39 of The Rose in the Shadows

And we did have fun. There was something about this place that was positively magical. Kent’s songs rolled effortlessly from one to the other and once in a while he would catch my eye and wink down at me. Lorelai taught me every dance she knew, and Iris floated about the room, flirting with every man and woman she saw. And boy, did they flirt back. She was infectious, drawing every eye in the room.

And yet, every so often, her gaze would linger on a tall girl with bright red hair—a girl who was all too willing to smile back at her. I suspected my two friends were getting closer than the others realized.

And secretly, I didn’t mind that pairing.

Eventually, when the three of us dancing together became the two of them dancing together, I stepped aside to get another drink from the barkeep. As I waited for him to tend to me, I contentedly peered out over the room. Even now, hours into the night, it was still so alive with celebration. The dancefloor was as full as ever and several people crowded around the tables in the room's corner. Next to me, two women, an older lady with thick blonde hair and a younger teen, sat talking. I couldn’t help but overhear their words.

“You're sure it will work?” The teen pressed her comrade.

The older woman sighed. “Of course it will work. If you want this boy to fall in love with you, The Alchemist will provide the potion for that. He has potions for everything.”

The girl nodded. “I’ll have to sneak away. I could go to him next month?”

“Very well,” the woman agreed, and the teen hustled out of the tavern.

I gazed over at the woman. Her dress was quite nice, nicer than many of the others in the establishment, made inan iridescent fabric that reminded me of the one Iris and I had purchased in the market. The woman’s eyes found mine, noticing my stare. I blushed furiously.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized. “I couldn’t help overhearing.”

She grinned. “Don’t suppose you’re looking for a magic potion yourself?”

I laughed darkly, accepting my drink from the barkeep as he passed it to me. “Not unless you have something that can restore lost memories.”

As I turned to leave, to return to my friends, the woman grasped onto my wrist. Her face was serious and a knowing smile danced on her lips.

“Of course he has something for that.”

I froze. If potions like this existed, why hadn't the Dragon already provided me with one?

“How is that possible?”

She chuckled. “Lots of things are possible, girl. Just because the Descendants don’t know about it doesn’t mean that no other magic exists in this world.”

Iris had dressed me in a high-neck gown, I realized suddenly, hiding my Mark from the world. I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye and realized she had worn a dress with long, tight sleeves so that the Mark on her wrist was also covered.

This establishment wasn’t meant for Descendants.

I knew all too suddenly that I shouldn’t be talking to this woman, that whateverpotionsshe had to offer me wouldn’t be looked upon fondly by the Dragon. But if it was true? If a potion truly existed that could restore my memories…

Wouldn’t that be worth any risk?

A quick glance over my shoulder told me that no one was paying attention, so I stepped back to the bar and leaned against it so that I could look out at my friends and ensure they weren’t watching.

“How could I find him?” I asked her softly.

Her eyes glanced over me. “I can take you to him. He prefers to keep his business discreet.”

“How soon?”

She laughed. “That potions important to you, eh? I’m making a trip to him next week if you can come to me then.”

Next week. I doubted Iris would help me escape from the palace for a second time, especially not if she learned it was for this. And there was no way I was about to scale the side of that wall for a second time, anyway. So I’d have to find another way out of the castle.

It wouldn’t be easy, but it also wasn't impossible. There were hidden chambers in the prince’s room, after all! Perhaps there were more I could find elsewhere in the palace. If not, I would just have to find out another way. And I could. I could do that.

I would doanythingif it meant I would learn where I came from.

Slowly, I nodded at her.

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