Page 3 of Cursed Crowns

Strong hands caught her waist. “Careful, Majesty.”

For a blissful moment, Rose allowed herself to lean into Shen Lo, resting her head on the hard planes of his chest, breathing him in as she had her roses. Then she came to her senses and stepped away from him.

“You shouldn’t sneak up on people that way,” she chided.

“And you shouldn’t close your eyes to your surroundings when you’re out here all by yourself,” said Shen. “Surely, I taught you better than that, Majesty.”

“Perhaps I need more lessons,” said Rose coyly. “And anyway, it’s my rose garden. I’m as safe as can be out here.”

“Well, you are now.” Shen stuck his hands in his pockets, where Rose assumed he had stashed at least three daggers, and flashed a grin that made her knees weak. It was hard to forget they had shared their first kiss in this very place.

And then the following day, Shen had kissed her again, in the heat of battle in the Protector’s Vault, though they hadn’t spoken of it since. They had built a wall around that morning, both of them dutifully pretending that Rose hadn’t almost married Prince Ansel, that the daggerWillem Rathborne had thrown at Wren hadn’t ended up in the prince’s heart, causing him to bleed out in Rose’s arms. Sometimes Rose wondered if she had imagined that brazen kiss. She had certainly allowed herself to imagine many others in the time since.

Shen’s smile faded. “Are you all right? The shouting in the crowd this morning...”

“I’m fine,” said Rose, the lie sour in her mouth. She turned from temptation and walked into the garden. Better to look at her roses than into Shen’s eyes. After all, she had come out here to gather herself, not unravel in his arms. He fell into step with her. “What are you still doing out here anyway?”

“I was thinking about picking you a bouquet. Is it bad luck to gift a queen her own flowers on her coronation day?”

“Yes.” Rose chuckled as she looked up at him. “Why do I feel like that isn’t the full truth?”

“All right, maybe I was walking the ramparts. Scanning every face in that crowd to see who was out there throwing rotten fruit at you. I like to know who my enemies are.”

“Shen, really, it was just a tomato or two.”

“That’s how it starts,” he said darkly. “Dissent is dangerous. A protester today could be a rebel tomorrow.”

“It’s early yet,” said Rose, as much to herself as to Shen. “Wren and I will win them over.”

Shen huffed a sigh. He lifted one of her curls with his finger, settling it behind her ear. “You are good at that,” he murmured.

Rose grinned. “I know.”

“I just can’t help—”

“Worrying?”

He winked. “I’m not used to worrying, Rose. It doesn’t suit me.”

“Nor me.” She took his hand in hers. “Can’t we set our worries aside and just enjoy today?”

“That’s all I want.” Shen gently tugged her toward him. He was so close now she could see every shade of brown in his dark eyes, the freckle above his brow that she’d somehow never noticed before. “To enjoy this.”

Rose bit her lip. Suddenly, she was feeling dangerously light-headed. “It’s the middle of the day,” she said, a little breathless. “If people saw us together...”

“They would think we’re... fond of each other.” He dipped his chin. “Is that so bad, Rose?”

“Yes,” she whispered, but she couldn’t quite remember why. All sensible thoughts eddied out of her mind until she could feel nothing but want pulsing between them, then Shen’s arms around her waist, his breath warm on her cheek, his lips nearly brushing against hers—

The bell in the clock tower chimed and Rose jolted backward. The world came crashing in once more, and, with it, the swell of her duties. For goodness’ sake, she was a queen now, not some lovestruck, desert-stranded princess. And she had made a promise to Wren. “I’m afraid I have to visit the mews. It can’t wait.”

Shen’s shoulders slumped. “Then I’ll resume my patrol.”

“There are hundreds of soldiers at Anadawn,” Rose reminded him. “You can take a rest, you know.”

He curled his fists. “Not until every tomato in this land is hunted down and destroyed.”

They dissolved into laughter, Rose threading her arm through his as he walked her down to the mews, both of them pretending that thewoes of the past were behind them and the future was theirs for the taking.

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