Page 27 of Ash and Roses

“I left my home in search of—” She pauses, as if rethinking her words. “I’m looking for a new home.”

“You won’t find it here.” I can feel the annoyance building in me, and it’s all I can do not to snap at her. This stupid girl. Even if she doesn’t understand the curse on this place, she should at least sense the danger. Knowing Tess, she made her feel too welcome. Told her she was safe here. If I had to guess, she probably told her the monster doesn’t enter the valley. Oh, how wrong she is.

“So that’s it? Because the absent prince has a problem with me, I’m not welcome here?”

“Don’t call me that,” I say through gritted teeth.

“Why not? You are absent. You weren’t here when I arrived, and no one knows how long you’ll stay.” Just what did Tess tell her?

“Not that. It’s Quinn.JustQuinn.”

She rolls her eyes, and the action gives me pause. I don’t think anyone has ever rolled their eyes at me. “Maybe I should call you coward instead.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. This kingdom has no ruler. Only a prince who runs from his responsibilities.”

My temper flares and what little control I have right now wanes. “Like you’re any better,Princess.” Shit. Well, there goes the upper hand.

She looks as if I’d just slapped her. “I—How did—”

It’s my turn to roll my eyes. “You think I can’t smell the royalty on you? Lavish soaps and conditioners, fine wines and clean linens.” That’s not exactly how I knew, but it’s beside the point. She wasn’t fooling anyone.

“I was Abilene’s lady’s maid. I was always washing her and—”

“I told you not to lie to me. If I’m a coward, then so are you. At least I’m here when I can be, while you’re content with letting your people think you dead. Don’t talk to me about responsibility.”

She flinches at my words, but she doesn’t back down. “You don’t know what it’s like there.”

“You don’t know what it’s like here.”

“If there’s a problem, you have the power to change it! This is your kingdom. You don’t need to abide by the laws of your father.”

And just like that, the tight string of rage inside me snaps and all that’s left is heartbreak and shame. “Maybe if I had, I wouldn’t be in this mess.”

She looks away, and for a long moment neither of us speaks. I wish I was back in the forest. Every cell of my body vibrates with that desire—that need. It should be the other way around, but long have I been more monster than man. The full moon is still a week away, and yet here I stand. Human—and monster.

I sigh. “Tell me.”

“Tell you what?”

“Tell me why you don’t want to go home.”

She turns back to me, a faint reddening to her eyes. “Would you let me stay if I did?”

“No.” I can’t give her the answer she wants. The last thing I need is a war with Lunae, and keeping her here will do just that. She needs to leave before she realizes what this place is. If Evan was still alive…

“Then forget it.”

If only I could make her understand. “You can’t stay here. It’s not safe.” I’m not sure why I bother. If this was really just about keeping my people safe, I would end her life here and now, one way or the other. To let her leave with what she knows… But I know deep inside that I can’t do it. The monster let her live, and the reason for that terrifies me to my core. The only option that might keep everyone alive is if she goes home.

“So I keep hearing, but I’ve also heard that the monster doesn’t come within the valley.”

Damnit, Tess. I should have expected nothing less from her. Her intentions are good, but she’s made a real mess of this. “There are other dangers. Just do as you’re told and—” I can’t finish the sentence as the jolt runs through me. I suck in a breath and clench my teeth against it.

“What’s wrong with you?”

What isn’t wrong with me? “Nothing. Go back to your room.”

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