Page 116 of Twin Crowns

“Liar,” he whispered.

Wren scowled at him. “If you want to talk about your feelings, go and write a poem in a dark corner. I can’t think about any of this right now.” Overhead, a cloud moved in front of the moon, casting them in shadow. It was late, and the west tower was calling. Not to mention Rose still had to return Rathborne’s key before he noticed it was missing. “I have somewhere else to be.”

Tor’s hand lingered on her wrist. “Then meet me here tomorrow. At sunrise.”

Wren couldn’t stand the hope in his eyes. “Tor, you are a Gevran soldier. And I am an Ortha witch. You are loyal to the king who wants to destroy us, and when Rathborne is exposed at the weddingtomorrow and his precious alliance is canceled, our truce will be over. You know whose side you will choose and so do I.” Wren stepped out of his embrace, blinking the tears from her eyes. “There is no future for us beyond tonight.”

He looked at her for a long moment. His face was torn, desire and duty warring in that stormy gaze. When he looked away, Wren knew it was over. He might have feelings for her, but he wouldn’t fight for her. Not against his own people.

And Wren didn’t expect him to. It was nothing serious, after all—just a stolen evening in the library and the whisper of something that might have been in another life. Let him keep his feelings. She didn’t want them. Shecouldn’twant him. She told herself she didn’t care as she backed away from him, even as her heart clenched painfully.

Tor’s parting words floated after her on the wind. “Be careful, witch.”

“I always am,” muttered Wren as she made her way back to the palace.

“Because a careless witch is a dead witch,” said Banba’s voice in her head.

40

Rose

Rose leaped up from the bench and grabbed Shen’s hand, pulling him with her. “This way! Before anyone sees you!”

“You’ve certainly become a lot more forward than the last time we met,” he said under his breath as he followed her. Rose led him deeper into the garden, treading a path toward her favorite childhood hiding place. Behind a trellis dripping with roses, the garden appeared to meet the stone wall. She brushed aside the hanging ivy and pulled Shen into a hidden alcove. It was narrow and leafy, the roses twisting above them as if they were trying to grow up to reach the stars.

Rose stared at Shen in the darkness. He was dressed all in black and his face was obscured beneath a cloak. With trembling fingers, she pushed the hood back. Time stilled around them, and for one precious moment, she forgot all about the Gevran Feast and everything that hinged on tonight. There was only Shen and his night-dark eyes and those quirked lips and the way his skin smelled like—

“You stole my horse.”

The moment shattered.

Rose winced. “It was really more of a borrowing.”

“Afteryou left me snoring on the beach and reeking of rum,” he added.

“Oh, about that... it was merely a precaution.”

“To guarantee you could steal my horse.” Shen wagged his finger in admonition. “I had to rideanother, much less impressive horse, until I came across Storm in the Golden Caves.”

Rose sighed in relief. “Iknewshe would find her way back to safety.”

“Of course she did. She’s my horse. She’s very well trained.” He paused. “Although not as loyal as I thought. How did you even get her to leave with you?”

Feeling bold, Rose leaned up on her tiptoes and whispered into Shen’s ear, “Hush, hush, rush.”

He stared at her. “How on earth do you know about that?”

“You told me. On the beach.” She smiled sheepishly. “You were drunk.”

He shook his head. “Princess, have you no shame? I should have never trusted you.” His tone belied his harsh words, and Rose swore she saw mischief dancing in his dark eyes.

“You don’t really mean that.”

“It’s true, Rose. I’m distraught. Can’t you see my tears?”

“No.”

“Well, that’s just because it’s dark.”

---