Page 63 of Bound By Roses

“I wouldn’t just give you jewelry. I know you’d prefer a weapon. It won’t kill a man, but it’ll gouge out an eye or two, which might be all you need to turn the tides of any fight.”

She slides the top of the ring back into place and then brushes a finger over the wolf. “You don’t have to give me anything, you know. Married or not, you know I’m yours.”

“Even when we fight?”

She laughs, and it’s almost back to her usual self. “Even then.”

“The ring isn’t about marriage, and it’s not a symbol of you belonging to me in any way, shape, or form.” Before she can ask, I pull down the front of my shirt and reveal the golden rose on my chest. “Every time I see my refection or walk in the dark and this rose illuminates my way, I see evidence of you. I wanted you to have a reminder that I’m just as much yours. I don’t have magic. I can’t leave traces of myself on your skin, but I can give you a ring. I wanted you to have something so that if we’re ever apart, all you’d have to do is look down and remember that I’m yours.”

“Was the jeweller not skilled enough to carve your pretty face?”

The laugh that escapes my lips comes easier now. “You reached the monster when no one else could. In this form, you saw me—even when I couldn’t see myself.”

I move to take the ring back from her, but she slips it on her middle finger before I can. She winces only slightly when it passes the stump of her missing finger, and the sight of it has me feeling queasy all over again. That was a price she shouldn’t have had to pay.

“You don’t have to wear it.”

“I want to. But I’m assigning a new meaning to it.” She studies my face as if waiting for an objection, but I remain quiet. “It’s a promise of trust. No more lies—from either of us.”

I take her hand in mine and press it gingerly against my chest where the rose is hidden beneath my shirt. I press my free hand on the same place on her chest. “No more lies.” I let her hand fallfrom my chest, but keep it gently in mine, brushing a thumb over her knuckles and taking in every detail of her injury.‘I’m sorry.’

She cups my cheek with her other hand, and I lean into the warmth of it.‘I am too. We’ll do better.’

I know we will, because we have to.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

ABBY

Not much has changed in Marein while we were gone, but it feels like everything has changed for us. Shortly after our arrival, and with no sign of Jade, even though he’d said he’d be here, we’re ushered down to what was once Marein’s throne room—and might very well become so again.

If we can get Arabella out.

Quinn ignores the others waiting for us and marches straight to his sister. Rhett tenses defensively beside her, but makes no move to intervene. Quinn could never be a threat to her. “Did you know?”

She stares up at him blankly, but when her eyes flick to me, I know she understands. Even if Quinn is desperate not to see it, I know she knew. I knew it even before we left. When her eyes were pleading with me to visit the Spider. Quinn wouldn’t have allowed it if she warned us, but I’m glad we went. I can live without a finger, so I don’t have to live without him.

He follows her gaze, but then drops it down to my hand. “Did you know that was the price?”

When Kaylee doesn’t answer, I lock my arm with Quinn’s. “She didn’t know, and even if she did, it won’t change anything. We have more important things to discuss.”

I can almost swear the look she gives me is a thank you.

Erwyn clears his throat, which, given the circumstances, probably isn’t the best way to keep Quinn calm. He’s still looking for some to blame. “Tell us what the spider said.”

Before either of us can answer, the heavy door swings wide with a loud thud and Jade strides inside as if this were his throne room.

“Where were you?” I can’t stop myself from asking. He said he’d be here.

“Flying. Did I miss anything?”

“You have no business here,” Merrick says. “This is a council of leadership.”

Is that what this is? My eyes dart around the room and take in the occupants I hadn’t paid attention to. Erwyn and Aurelia both hold leadership roles in Marein. Quinn represents Rosewood. Merrick is Regent to the dragons. Kaylee is the rightful queen of Marein, and Rhett is her mate. Am I here just as Quinn’s mate, or am I representing Lunae?

Jade snorts a laugh. “If you want to tell Inferna that, be my guest.” His eyes find mine, and the warmth I’d seen in them last night has vanished. “If Terranous’ Chosen is a part of this, so am I.” Aurelia gestures to an empty chair, but Jade makes no move to claim it, instead choosing to stand near the door.

With no further objections—at least, by voice—Quinn fills everyone in on our experience with the Spider. They listen intently, not so much as nodding or making a sound of approval for fear of missing a key piece of information.

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