Page 111 of Burning Crowns

‘It’s not about being capable,’ said Celeste. ‘It is about making sure we get you back to Anadawn in one piece. Eana needs you, Rose. Don’t let your pride get in the way of that.’

Rose pouted, but saw Celeste’s point, and was glad when her friend came to keep her company throughout the journey.

With the wind on their side and Marino’s magic stronger than ever, the voyage passed swiftly, and Rose was grateful for that, too.

When Dooley’s voice rang out below deck, calling, ‘Land ahoy!’ Rose burst out of the captain’s cabin and ran for the stairs, eager to see her beloved Eana once more. She went at once to the prow, revelling in the spray of the sea on her face and the wind in her hair. She could see Wishbone Bay in the distance, hear the squawk of the seagulls as they soared along the port.

She sighed, long and deep, relieved to be home once more. Safe in the arms of her kingdom.

Something struck the ship, and she wobbled on her feet. Rose looked down, alerted to a shadow darting by the prow. It became a shimmer, a flash of white in the waves, followed by the swish of a tail. How strange. Rose stared at it for a moment too long, even as her instincts told her toget back.

There came a sudden splash as the creature shot up out of the water. Rose gasped, realizing too late what it was.Whoit was.

In the blink of an eye, Oonagh Starcrest scrambled up the side of the ship, grabbed Rose by the hair and dragged her down into the roiling sea. Rose screamed as she was pulled under, the water so sudden and cold it shocked the breath from her body.

The last thing Rose saw was Shen leaping from the side of the ship, but by then she was so deep in the sea, she knew he would never find her. She kicked and thrashed as Oonagh dragged her down to the seabed, and when there was no air left in Rose’s lungs and no fight left in her body, everything went black.

Wren

CHAPTER 35

When Wren arrived at Anadawn, the golden gates were already open. Tor stiffened as he surveyed the drawn faces of the guards, the servants lingering in the courtyard, wringing their hands.

Wren sat up straighter. ‘Something’s wrong.’

She gripped the hilt of Night’s Edge, letting its magic strengthen her. But it could do nothing for her growing feeling of unease. There were far too many people milling about and yet despite the increase in activity, a strange hush had fallen over the palace. No one was looking at her. In fact, they were looking everywherebutat her.

Wren was about to call out to a passing maidservant when Shen Lo appeared, hurrying from the palace with a look of such horror on his face, Wren’s heart lurched.

Rose was not with him.

‘Wren!’ A terrible coldness swept through Wren as Shen sprinted towards her. She threw herself from the horse, stumbling as she landed. He grabbed her shoulders, hoisting her to her feet. ‘It’s Rose.’ His voice cracked on her name. ‘I’m sorry, Wren. I’m so sorry.’ He shook his head, as if he couldn’t quite believe what he was saying. ‘I couldn’t save her. It all happened so fast.’

‘What the hell are you—?’

‘I failed her,’ he said. ‘I failed you. She’s—’ He stopped, choking on the word.

‘No.’ The word burst from Wren like a cry. She shook him off, pushing her way into the palace. ‘Where’s my sister?’ she called out. ‘Rose! Come down, Rose!’

Shen lunged for her hand, pulling her back. ‘Wren, she’s gone.’

The coldness in Wren sparked to flame, dread replaced by the white-hot rush of panic. She spun around. ‘She can’t just be gone, Shen. You’re talking nonsense.’ She tried to wrench her hand free. ‘Get off me. I need to see Rose. I need to see my sister.’

‘Listen to me, Wren.Please,’ Shen said, refusing to let her go. His voice was as ragged as the look on his face. In all the time Wren had known Shen Lo, she had never seen him look so … defeated. The maidservants drifted closer, the soldiers, too. Tor was at her back, a steadying hand braced on her shoulder. It suddenly felt as if the world was crowding in on Wren. And yet for all the faces that surrounded her, she could not find the only one she wished to see. ‘You all need to get out of my way right now,’ she said, through her teeth. ‘Or I swear I’ll run you through with this sword.’

No one moved.

Shen kept talking. Wren closed her eyes, trying to unhear the words as they burrowed into her mind, painting a story she did not want to know. ‘We were so close to land. We thought we were safe, that Oonagh had travelled inland, but she was skulking in the water near Wishbone Bay, waiting to strike.’

‘What does any of this have to do with my sister?’ Wren demanded.

‘Rose was on the prow when Oonagh came up from the deep. She grabbed hold of Rose. Pulled her down into the water and—’

Wren whirled on Shen, grabbing him by the scruff. ‘And you let hergo?’

He let her shake him. ‘I couldn’t get to her in time.’

‘You were on a boat!’ Wren was shouting but she didn’t care who heard her. ‘You’re one of the best swimmers I know! Not to mention you trail after Rose every time you’re together! And now you’re telling me she went overboard and you were nowhere near her!’

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