Page 147 of Cursed Crowns

After a while, Thea set her mug down. “Thank you both for spending your morning with me. Memories really do possess their own kind of magic. But my heart is tired. I think I’ll go and lie down for a bit.”

“Will you be all right?” asked Rose, as Shen helped Thea to her feet. “I wish there was something more I could do.”

“Time is the only healer for wounds of the soul,” said Thea sagely. “If I need company, I’ll call for Tilda. She’s always cheering, isn’t she?”

“Yes, she is,” said Rose. “In fact, I caught her cartwheeling through the lower hallway on my way down here.”

“That must have been after the rain cloud she made in the great hall,” said Shen. “She soaked six of Cam’s breakfast pies before Lei Fan put it out. But the townspeople seemed to enjoy the spectacle.”

“The more they experience magic, the less afraid of it they’ll be,” said Thea. “Though I’ll be sure to caution Tilda about wasting food.” She smiled at them as she shuffled out of the kitchen, leaving them alone. “I’m sure you two young rulers have a lot to talk about it.”

Shen sat down next to Rose on the bench. His thigh brushed against her leg, and she was overcome by the sudden, desperate urge to climb onto his lap. She shook it off. They were in the kitchen in the middle ofthe day, after all. It would be entirely inappropriate.

“So, Rose the Merciful, how long much longer will you be harboring half the population of Eshlinn in your palace? If you’re not careful, they’ll drink all your wine.”

“They’re welcome to it for as long as it takes the soldiers to repair their homes,” said Rose. “Although Chapman says some of the Arrows went down there last night to help and are already making good progress.”

Shen’s eyes shone with admiration. “I could certainly learn a thing or two from you about ruling.”

“That reminds me,” said Rose, reaching into the pocket of her skirts. “Now that we’re alone, I have something to show you. Or, rather, to give you.”

Shen raised his brows. “Tell me, before my mind wanders...”

“This arrived this morning,” said Rose as she unfurled Fathom’s scroll. “After what you told me in the desert about your kingdom’s sovereignty, I asked Fathom to look for it. It’s an official declaration from over a thousand years ago, signed by Ortha Starcrest and the Sun Crowned Queen Jing. You were right, Shen. The Sunkissed Kingdom doesn’t belong to Anadawn. It’s yours.” She bit her lip, her cheeks heating in shame. “It’s always been yours.”

Shen took the parchment, barely blinking as he read the words. “Of all the things I was expecting you to say...”

“Feng was right about one thing,” Rose went on. “But I was too insecure to see it at the time. Too frightened about what it would mean for the fate of Eana, for my fate as its ruler, forus....The Sunkissed Kingdom has always been its own dominion. I had no right to try to command it. To command you.”

Shen flashed his dimple. “Isn’t being bossy your thing, though?”

Rose buried her face in her hands. “I’m afraid it’s as much a part of me as my fingernails.”

He chuckled then, and Rose found herself laughing, too.

Shen returned his gaze to the parchment. “Our ancestors were allies.”

“They fought side by side. Just like us.”

“Perhaps we can be allies, too.” He cleared his throat. “Officially.”

Rose’s heart hammered in her chest. “And what are the terms of this... alliance?”

Shen’s eyes danced. “You’re a queen. I’m a king. I’m sure we can figure something out.” But his smile faded, and he turned serious then. “I just need to figure out how to be a good king first. I want to make my people proud of me.”

Rose laid her hand on his leg. “You’ll make a wonderful king, Shen. You have a good heart. All you have to do is lead with it.”

He stilled beneath her touch. “Tell me, Rose,” he said, his voice rough. “Can I rule with my heart if I’ve given it away?”

Rose bit her bottom lip. “I’m afraid I’m facing the same dilemma.”

He cupped her cheek, leaning closer. “About this alliance...”

“Yes...”

He gently slid his hand into her hair. “I think we’re going to need a lot of late-night meetings...”

“One would think,” said Rose, driven to distraction by his fingers.

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