Page 138 of Burning Crowns

Lake Carranam shone like a jewel beneath the sparkling night sky. The reflection of a thousand stars danced across the water, and on the banks, thousands of revellers danced as well. In the middle of it all were Rose and Wren, rejoicing in the merriment, leading the way to peace and prosperity.

A month had passed since the Battle of the Weeping Forest. A month of grieving, and of healing. Tonight, they were remembering those they had lost and celebrating their victory over Oonagh Starcrest.

The Gevrans had returned home shortly after the battle, just as the witches of the Sunkissed Kingdom had. Shen had rode with his people into the heart of the desert, before returning the following day to Anadawn, where, true to his word, he had presented Rose with a beautiful ruby ring. Tomorrow, they would ride east to the Sunkissed Kingdom, to prepare for their wedding and all that would come after.

Shen had made Lei Fan his Kingsbreath, entrusting her to rule while he was away, and, after proving himself in battle, Kai was promoted to head of the Sunkissed Kingdom’s warriors. Despite the rocky road to their reunion, Shen was happy to have his cousins by his side – to have found his family, at last.

And nobody was as thrilled with Rose and Shen’s engagement as Grandmother Lu. Rose thought she knew everything there was to know about throwing a party, but then Grandmother Lu told her that in the Sunkissed Kingdom it was customary for a royal wedding to last an entire week! Not that Rose minded in the least. Especially because Lei Fan was helping her with her wedding wardrobe.

But that was all still to come. Tonight was a celebration of a different kind. A time for Rose and Wren to look to the future of Eana and welcome it with music and dancing.

Cam had truly outdone himself. There was enough food to feed everyone twice over – glazed chickens cooked upon open fires, spiced shrimp, candied carrots, roast potatoes – with everything arranged on decadent skewers so they could be devoured between dances.

Dessert was even more mouth-watering. There was a seven-tiered cake of chocolate and vanilla, covered in golddusted frosting, waiting to be sliced and shared.

The wine was flowing freely and so was the music. As Rose and Wren danced among their people, celebrating, it felt as if they finally had everything they ever wanted. Well, almost everything.

Last month, Rose had watched Wren’s stricken face as the Gevran ships departed from Ortha. And tonight, in quiet moments when Wren thought no one was looking at her, she wore the same look of longing. Rose knew her sister’s heart ached for Tor, but Wren was adamant – her place was at Anadawn by her sister’s side.

They twirled together one more time, and then, still laughing, went arm in arm to the edge of the lake.

‘Witches, lend us your magic!’ Wren called out. ‘And if you don’t have magic,raise an everlight. There’s magic in that, too!’

‘The spell had better work this time,’ Rose whispered, anxiously.

‘It will,’ Wren assured her. ‘We’re no longer being haunted by our cursed ancestor.’

The twins combined their magic, and along with the rest of the witches, conjured a flaming tree in the centre of the lake. It grew and grew and didn’t stop, until for a moment, Rose feared they were going to lose control of the spell just like before, but then their fire tree settled on the water, shining like a beacon in the night.

The crowd erupted in cheers and the music lifted, soaring triumphantly across the sky.

‘What a success!’ said Rose, swaying to the music. Her skirts twirled around her, the blushing pink of her dress reminding her of a desert sunrise. It was trimmed in gold lace, with a square neckline and boned corset that cinched her waist before flowing into a lavish tulle skirt. Her long hair was loose and threaded with fine white flowers, and her feet were bare. ‘I was worried for a moment there.’

‘You worry too much, Rose.’ Next to her, Wren looked every bit as resplendent in a gown of midnight blue and silver. Rose suspected her sister had chosen to wear the colours of Gevra to honour her heart, a silent tribute to the man she loved. ‘I think it’s high time to cut that cake!’

Not for the first time that night, Rose marvelled at the seven-tiered culinary wonder. ‘I’m not sure there’s a knife big enough.’

‘Perhaps I should fetch Night’s Edge,’ said Wren. ‘It’s in the carriage.’

‘Wren! Did you truly bring that sword to our celebration?’

‘Well, it did save our lives. I thought it deserved to celebrate,too.’ She glanced pointedly at the outline of a dagger at Rose’s hip. ‘And don’t think I can’t see Daybreak hidden under that fancy dress.’

Rose bit back her smile. ‘The point stands. No swords near the cake.’

‘Very well. We can use our hands instead,’ teased Wren.

They were interrupted presently by Marino Pegasi, who came ambling over with a wide smile on his handsome face.

‘Captain!’ said Wren, with great delight. ‘I hardly recognize you without your ship.’

‘I couldn’t miss the celebrations,’ he said, bowing at the waist. ‘Well done, my fearless queens. It’s good to see you both in such fine spirits.’

Rose and Wren both laughed, then kissed him on each cheek.

‘You know you are always welcome at Anadawn, Marino,’ said Rose. ‘We would certainly like to see more of you.’

‘I do wonder if it’s time for me to reclaim my land legs and settle down,’ he said, thoughtfully. ‘I have to admit, after what happened out there on my boat, I’ve grown more suspicious of the sea. Who knows what else might come crawling out of it?’

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