Page 87 of Cursed Crowns

Rose’s restlessness had nothing to do with the bedroom she’d been given, which was perfectly luxurious. The bed was piled high with pillows and draped in silks of amber and gold that swayed in the desert breeze. Lei Fan had lent her soft linen pajamas, and Elske was dozing at the foot of her bed, warming the sheets. It was almost midnight, and the Palace of Eternal Sunlight languished in silence. And yet Rose couldn’t seem to settle.

Shen hadn’t come by to check on her after dinner. Rose had been so sure he would that she had kept her dress on for hours. She had brushed out her hair while she sat waiting for him at the vanity. Then at the desk. On the window seat. She had paced her room, watching the minutes turn to hours, and still—nothing. She hadn’t realized how much she’d grown used to his attentiveness. Back at Anadawn, Shen was always nearby, accompanying her on her garden walks, bringing a book to read beside her in the library, asking how she was, complimenting her, offering support whenever she needed it.

As Rose lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, she scolded herself for taking him for granted. She had been so reluctant to carve out a place for him in her future, and now, here she was, in his kingdom, where there was clearly no place for her.

But then, perhaps it was better this way. What was she doing mooning over a boy, anyway? She had far more important things to think about.

Like getting Wren and Banba home from Gevra (because it was clear her sister was in over her head). And dealing with the Arrows (who were proving to be a much bigger problem than Rose had initiallythought). And ruling all of Eana, for stars’ sake! She was a busy woman. She was aqueen. Not some lovestruck milkmaid. The sooner she returned to Anadawn, the better.

There was a knock at her door.

Rose sat bolt upright. “Who is it?”

The door creaked open, and Shen stepped inside, still dressed in his dinner attire. “I hoped you’d still be up.”

“I was just falling asleep,” Rose lied.

Shen closed the door behind him, and Rose’s mouth went dry as she realized they were finally alone together in a bedroom. Far from prying eyes. There were no seers here. No Kai either.

Just Rose and Shen.

She glanced at the slumbering wolf curled up at the foot of her bed.

Make thatalmostalone.

Shen gazed at her for a moment. “That bed is big enough for you to get lost in.”

“Does it remind you of when you stole me from my bed at Anadawn?” said Rose, biting back a smile. “Don’t get any ideas.”

Shen shook his head as he came toward her. “I have lots of ideas, but stealing yououtof that bed isn’t one of them.”

Rose blushed furiously. She pulled the blankets higher, grasping for a shred of composure. “How are you? Today has been...”

“A lot.” Shen gestured to the bed. “May I sit?”

“Of course,” she said, patting the space beside her.

He ran a hand through his hair as he sat down. He was no longer wearing the gold band, and though she didn’t know why, Rose felt relieved. “It’s hard to believe any of this is real,” he admitted. “I keep thinking it’s a dream, and that any minute I’m going to wake up back inthat forest outside Thornhaven. I feel... I don’t know...”

“What?” said Rose, reading the pain on his face.

He inhaled sharply. “I can’t stop feeling like it’s my fault that everyone was trapped here for so long. I should have figured it out, Rose. I should have done something.”

“You were a child, Shen. You can’t blame yourself. The important thing is that you’ve found them now. You saved them.”

Shen shook his head. “I’ll never get those years back, though. Years I could have been here with my family. And neither will they.” He looked at his hands. “And they’re all being so damn nice about it. We spent the evening playing cards. Feng shared all these funny stories about him and my father when they were our age. And it felt good. It feltnormal.” Rose tried to keep her face from falling but she was wounded by the fact Shen hadn’t thought to invite her. “Kai threw a few barbs here and there, but I guess that felt normal, too,” he went on. “And honestly, I’m glad. I think I’d be more uncomfortable if he suddenly started treating me like...” He trailed off.

“Like a prince?”

Shen laughed, a little ruefully. “It still sounds so strange to me. I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do with a title like that.” He looked up at her, his eyes shining. “I guess I’m finally getting some insight into what you and Wren must feel like all the time.”

Rose reached out, taking his hand in hers. “Don’t worry. When we’re all back home in Anadawn, we’ll figure it out together.”

Shen tilted his head. “Rose,” he said gently, “I am home.”

Rose had feared somewhere deep inside her that he would say that but hearing the words out loud was like being splashed with cold water.

“Well, of course this is your home,” she said quickly. “Or at least oneof them. A place to visit as often as you like. But it’s so far from Anadawn. And we have so much to do there. We need to strategize against Barron and the Arrows before they gain another foothold, and we must ensure Wren returns from Gevra in one piece.” She forced a laugh. “You know how reckless she can be.”

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