Page 33 of Blood and Roses

"I won't go far, and I won't stray from the main path," Rosa promised.

The gravel road was like a white scar through a land of green. The leaves of the trees had turned, and Rosa felt like she was walking under a gold and red roof. The path wove through the well-tended parklands before turning off through the wilder forests. She saw the flickering lights through the trees before the lake came into view, the sun making it look deceptively inviting. The main beach now had a pergola and a jetty to get past the tangle of weeds. She kept riding, following the well-tended path, determined to go the full circuit of the lake.

It was refreshing to be away from the house and the ever-looming presence of the Vanes. Out amongst the trees, the world seemed simpler and safer.Is it any wonder that Balthasar escapes out here every night?Rosa shook the thought away. She hated that he was constantly invading her mind. She needed a break from it all and especially him. There was so much she still didn't know, and despite the good intentions of giving her the book, it had raised more questions than given answers.

The fact they were the royal family made their arrogance more understandable. It also explained the constant stream of visitors and made her uneasy about the conversation she had accidentally overheard in the servant passage. Recalling Eli's threats made her realize how literal he had been.

Eli, the Unseelie royal heir that had used his powers of seduction to escape from the Autumn Queen. Rosa was still having problems processing that. Eli who had told her stories as a girl and who had comforted after her father had died. Eli who had let her take the book from the library.

"Look who has decided to come out of hiding at last," a snide voice said as Lily and Pearl appeared at the crossroads ahead of her. Pearl rode a gray mare and Lily a black. They looked ridiculously proper in their matching equestrian gear. "I didn't think you would know how to ride a horse."

"I'm full of surprises. It's a pleasant day for it," Rosa replied, doing her best to be neutral and polite. "Although if those clouds come over, it won't last much longer."

"Lily and I feel awful about sending you up to the attic. Our brother is so secretive, we couldn't help but wonder what he was keeping up there," Pearl laughed cheerfully. "Whatwasup there, Rosa?"

"Paintings," she answered vaguely.

"Typical," Lily said with a sigh. "I thought he would have changed his habits over the years, but he would retreat into a painting if he could."

"Paintings! How boring of him. The way he carries on about his privacy, I thought there would be at least a body or a slave girl up there," Pearl exclaimed. "We knew he would be lenient on you if you were caught. You seem to be a favorite kind of pet for the boys. Saul hasn't stopped talking about your drunken escapades in the cellar. I thought Balthasar was going to stab him at breakfast this morning." Rosa didn't reply, hoping her silence would make them go away.

"Have you seen the faerie ring yet?" Lily asked hesitantly. "I haven't been up there in years, and Pearl is making me show it to her. Would you like to join us?"

"I don't think I should. I promised Roger that..."

"I wouldn't worry about Roger. I'm positive he won't mind, and it isn't much further to go. Come along," Lily rode ahead of them. Rosa followed reluctantly. She had nearly forgotten about the circle of stones that Harold had shown her. He had said thatno one knew who had put them up and told her stories of faeries that came to dance at the lake.

Maybe he had been trying to warn her.

They rode up a small mound to where the circle of stones stood, and Rosa froze in the saddle. She had dreamed of them the night before she had been summoned back. There were misshapen, smooth black rocks sticking out of the grass like broken teeth. The hair on her arms stood on end as she drew nearer.Witchy-woo,she thought, looking around her. It was as if the world was holding its breath around them.

"Rosa?" Pearl turned in her saddle.

"Ah, sorry, what did you say?"

"I asked what is going on with you and Balthasar. He has been even moodier than usual since your spat."

"I don't know what you are talking about," Rosa said honestly.

"Don'tlieto me," Pearl hissed. Her horse flicked its head back as she jerked the reins.

"I'm not lying to you," Rosa replied. "If you want to know what is wrong with Balthasar, why don't you ask him? Or are you just annoyed and jealous that he won't talk to you?"

Pearl's pretty face twisted, and she hissed angrily, her mouth filled with fangs. Dunstan reared, and Rosa cried out as she was bucked off. She hit the ground with a sickening crack and pain flared up her leg like a hot wire. Dunstan took off in fear, his hooves only narrowly missing her. Pearl slid off her horse and started to walk slowly towards her.

"Pearl!" Lily said angrily, but she was ignored.

Rosa crawled backward, her broken leg dragging through the grass. She felt a snap of static as she crossed the stones. They stopped Pearl in her tracks.

"You think you are safe in there, Rosa?" she growled.

"Pearl, leave her. You can't cross the stones," Lily insisted. "Rosa, I will send someone back for you."

Pearl smirked as she remounted her horse, "You really are a clumsy girl, Rosa. You shouldn't be riding if you don't know how."

"Come along, Pearl," Lily said, her voice tense.

Rosa watched them leave, the pain in her leg bringing tears to her eyes. She propped her back against one of the stones and looked down at the blood seeping through her jeans. She bit back a cry of pain and zipped her coat up against the wind, hoping that Lily's fear of Eli would be enough to save her.

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