Page 46 of Legacy of Roses

“It won’t happen, though,” she said, directing her words more in his direction than her friend’s. “I don’t think it matters much who picks that rose. There’s no way the Legacy will resist the allure of swapping in Rosalie.”

“And that is exactly what I’ve been so worried about ever since those roses appeared,” Rosalie grumbled.

“Precisely.” Daphne smiled smugly at her. “So you don’t have any excuses left.”

Rosalie’s eyes widened a little as she realized she’d backed herself into a corner.

“Do you really think this is wise, Daphne?” she asked in a low voice, worrying at her lip again as she waited for a reply. “Am I being reckless to even consider it?”

Despite her offered support, Daphne apparently took the question seriously because she took a moment to consider before answering.

“I think this is your chance, and you shouldn’t miss taking it. If this goes well, it would turn everything around for both you and your family. Surely that’s worth some risk.” Her mouth twisted. “Especially considering the situation you’re in with Jace.”

“Daphne!” Rosalie cried. “How long were you listening?”

“Since I got away from Blythe and worked out where you two had gone,” Daphne said unapologetically. She gave Rosalie a look. “If Dimitri could work out something was wrong with you, did you think I would miss it?”

Rosalie didn’t respond to that, looking from her friend to Dimitri instead.

“So we’re really going to do this?” she asked in a soft voice.

The two of them looked at each other before both nodding.

“And you’re sure about helping me like this?” Rosalie asked, looking at him as if she wasn’t quite convinced he had selfless motives.

And if he was honest, she was right. His motives weren’t entirely selfless. He wanted to get to know her better, and he had his own reasons for wanting to protect her. He felt as if he owed it to his mother to try. Only hours ago he had promised himself he would do whatever it took to protect Rosalie, and what better opportunity would he have?

None of those answers were right for the moment, however. She needed to be reminded that he had as much to lose from the Legacy as she did. Possibly more.

“I have no desire to end up as a Beast forever,” he said. “Doing this is my way to escape from the Legacy as well.”

From all the possible truthful answers, he seemed to have picked the right one, because her brow cleared.

“Shall we head to the manor now, then?” Rosalie asked. In typical fashion, having made up her mind, she wanted to act on the decision immediately.

“Right now?” Daphne wilted, her expression turning pained.

Dimitri might have thought she was regretting her offer to help, but he had seen enough of her to know better. It was the necessity of walking out to the manor that she found distasteful.

“Of course we have to do it now!” Rosalie said. “If you were eavesdropping on our conversation, then you know that we only have three days. Less now!” She glanced toward the closest window, as if she could measure the hours passing by the day’s light. “We don’t know how long the Legacy might take to start transforming the castle.”

“If the grounds are anything to go by, it won’t take long,” Daphne said. “But I suppose it makes sense for me to pick the rose this evening.” She looked at Dimitri. “Make sure that when you threaten me, you say that I have to come back the next morning to be slaughtered.”

“Come back to be what?” Dimitri asked, alarmed.

Rosalie frowned. “Don’t you know your part? I thought you’d been studying the history.”

“I guess I hadn’t really considered that part of it,” Dimitri said, realizing belatedly just how little he’d thought through a number of aspects of the plan. He wasn’t going to pull back, though.

“I suppose it would be a good idea to modify it, just in case the Legacy doesn’t allow a substitution,” Daphne said thoughtfully. “You should tell me that I can either be slaughtered on the spot, or I can come back the next day to remain as yourprisoner. And that the only way for me to escape is if I bring another young maiden in my place.”

“Since I’m not eighty years old, I might not use the words ‘young maiden,’” Dimitri said.

“Stop quibbling,” Rosalie said. “I’ve noticed that’s a habit of yours. It doesn’t matter what exact words you use, just follow the general idea. Otherwise the whole plan will fail and who knows what catastrophic effect that will have!”

“So, no pressure?” Dimitri quipped with a grin.

“Don’t make me regret trusting you,” Rosalie said warningly, and he could see enough genuine uncertainty in her gaze to immediately drop the smile.

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