Page 99 of Legacy of Roses

“If it’s just the three of them, we’ll be going,” the captain said. When Dimitri nodded confirmation, he signaled to his guards. “Come on, men!”

They formed up around the two prisoners and marched them outside to join the third man. Dimitri, Rosalie, and the tripletswatched them go in silence. As soon as the sounds of their marching feet had disappeared down the drive, Daphne sat up and yawned. She blinked up at them and then glanced around the otherwise empty room.

“Is it all finished?” she asked.

Rosalie narrowed her eyes at her friend. “There is no way you were actually asleep just then. Admit it!”

“I’m an excellent sleeper,” Daphne said primly. “You know that.”

“Even the guards apparently know that,” Dimitri murmured, earning himself a glare from Rosalie.

“Of course she was sleeping!” Ralph said loyally. “She’s brilliant!”

Dimitri choked on his laugh, not entirely succeeding at keeping it in. All three triplets glared at him, their faces giving an unnerving impression of their older sister.

“I think,” he said quickly, “that we should all repair to the kitchen and see about breakfast. What do you think, Rosalie?”

She wrapped both arms around his waist and gazed up at him with an expression that made it hard to breathe.

“I think that we’re finally free of both the Legacy and Jace.” Her face darkened. “But I’m sorry he turned out to be your brother. I hope you know?—”

“I know,” he said, wanting to see the dark look banished. “And I meant what I said to him. I don’t consider him family.” He ran his finger along the curve of her cheek, marveling at the softness of her skin.

“I think breakfast is a wonderful idea!” Vernon said loudly.

All three of the boys converged on Rosalie, prying her from Dimitri and propelling her in the direction of the kitchen. She looked helplessly back at him, but he shook his head and followed with Daphne.

“You get used to them eventually,” she said consolingly.

“Like a hole in my sock?” he asked, and her lips twitched. He lowered his voice. “You can tell me—I won’t tell anyone else. Were you really sleeping?”

“It was a tiring morning,” she replied with a mischievous smile. “And a tiring night, come to think of it.”

Dimitri instantly turned serious. “Thank you for everything you did. You were the one with me before Rosalie came, weren’t you?”

She nodded. “Yes, but there’s no need to thank me. I’m just grateful Rosalie found you. I’ve always worried about what will happen to her when I leave Glandore. But I’m not worried anymore.”

Dimitri nodded his thanks for the compliment. There was no need for her to explain her intention to leave. He had endured life outside his birth kingdom, so he understood that she would eventually have to return to Oakden.

“Help!” Rosalie called from ahead of them. She was gripping the frame of the dining room door as the triplets attempted to push her through. “They’re saying I have to do all the cooking to make up for their weeks of slavery.”

Dimitri increased his pace to catch up with her.

“I’ll help you,” he said with a smile. “I don’t mind cooking.”

Cooking every day with Rosalie sounded like a dream come true. He only hoped they could work beside each other every day for the rest of their lives.

Her expression caught on his, and the laughter in her eyes softened to something more intimate. He stepped forward and pressed a kiss on her lips, the horrified protests of triplets echoing in his ears.

It was a swift kiss, a silent promise between them. They had helped each other defeat the Legacy, and together they would face whatever challenges came next.

Even if those challenges included an overabundance of younger brothers.

Epilogue

ROSALIE

“He’s here!” Oscar burst into the room, panting from a recent sprint. “One of our friends saw his carriage passing the Mortar and Pestle.”

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