Page 57 of Twin Crowns

At the mention of Banba’s name, the group fell still.

Bryony turned on Rose, her dark eyes going wide. “You won’t tell Banba, will you?”

Rose scrubbed the drying tears from her cheeks. As her lungs filled with new breath, her fear turned to a bright and blazing anger. She’d never hated anyone as much as these four witches. And the others—the ones who had stood by and watched, the witches who would sooner see her suffocate than lift a hand to help her. But one day—and that day would come soon—Rose would no longer be alone, and with the power of the crown of Eana on her head and the might of its army at her back,she would return to them as their ruler. And they would bow to her.

“I am not a child who tells tales,” she told them, and she meant it. “But I will not forget this.”

Bryony sagged in relief.

“Good,” said Rowena crisply. “You shouldn’t.”

Shen led Rose away from the ocean. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.”

“I’m sorry, Rose. I promised you wouldn’t get hurt.” He raked his hands through his hair, pulling at the dark strands. “I knew there was resentment here toward you, but I never thought anyone would dare act on it.”

Rose folded her arms. “Don’t pretend to feel sorry for me. It’syourfault I’m here.”

“I’m not pretending....” Shen sighed, giving up on whatever he was about to say. “You should sit down. Have some more fish. Food will calm you. And then perhaps we can talk?”

“Calmme?” fumed Rose. “How can I be calm when a witch just stole the breath from my lungs and left me for dead? How can Ipossiblyeven begin to—?”

“Rose! There you are!” Tilda scurried over, carrying a jug of wine and some dusty glasses. “I brought this for you!”

“Thank you, Tilda. Your timing is impeccable.” Rose poured herself a large glass of wine. She finished it in one gulp, then swiftly poured another.

“Go easy there,” said Shen, taking the jug from her.

“Let me be,” said Rose, snatching it back. “If I have to be here for one minute longer, then I intend to make it bearable.”

“You’ll be here a lot longer than that,” said Tilda cheerfully.

“Hardly.” Rose poured another generous glass. “I intend to be home in time for my coronation.”

Somehow. Some way.

Tilda clutched the jug to her chest. “But that’s Wren’s job now. I know she’s not as princessy as you, but once she gets the hang of wearing dresses and remembers not to chew with her mouth open or swear all the time, I think she’ll make a wonderful queen.”

Rose spat out a mouthful of wine.“What?”

“Tilda,” Shen groaned. “I was just about to tell her about the switch.”

Tilda’s smile was toothy and wide. “Haven’t you figured it out yet?”

Before Rose could formulate a sentence, or indeed a single thought, Banba came striding toward them. “Ah, there’s the wine!” She took the jug from Tilda and raised it high. “Tonight is a cause for great celebration. We will feast and drink until we fall asleep full-bellied and bleary-eyed underneath the moon. That Rose is here with us means our Wren will soon sit on the throne of Eana.” Her words carried across the beach, strong and fierce as a winter gale. “Upon the full moon, we will have a new witch queen, and our time as outcasts will be at an end. By the grace of Ortha Starcrest, the golden gates of Anadawn will open to us after a thousand years, and the Silvertongue will run red with our enemies’ blood. The tides of fate are finally turning, my brothers and sisters. The time of the witches has come again!”

Rose swayed dizzily as Banba raised the jug to her lips. The old woman drank deeply as a roaring cheer rose up on the beach, as high and bright as the bonfire flames.

21

Wren

“You are as exquisite as a snowflake tonight, Rose.” Prince Ansel made moon eyes at Wren from across the dining table. “Truly, your face is a thing of rare beauty.”

Not as rare as you think.

Wren offered a demure smile. “Andyoulook as handsome as a... uh... glacier.”

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