Page 72 of Burning Crowns

Rose bit her lip. ‘Well … what’s the alternative?’

Shen shook his head, a reluctant smile coming to his lips. ‘Of course I’m going to help you.’ He stood. ‘I’d never let you do this alone. If my heart is going to war, then so am I.’

Rose wrapped her arms around him. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered.

‘But I’ll take your forgiveness all the same,’ he said, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head.

She smiled against his chest. ‘Don’t forget – I also need a weapon.’

‘We’ll go straight to the armoury.’

There was a loud creak as the door to the greenhouse swung open.

‘Leave us!’ called Shen.

‘Absolutely not.’ Rose turned around at the sound of Celeste’s voice. ‘We’ve been looking all over for you two!’

‘Did you stop to consider that perhaps we were hiding for a reason,’ called Shen, as Celeste came into view with Anika right behind her.

Rose frantically fixed her skirts and smoothed her hair, but she could do little for her flushed cheeks.

‘Shen Lo, you are shameless,’ crowed Anika, looking between them. ‘Making us all perform our little tricks for you and then hiding in the greenhouse with the true object of your affection.’

‘Hello, Anika,’ said Rose, politely. ‘It’s good to see you, even in these circumstances.’ And it was good. Rose felt strangely bolstered by the sight of the red-haired Gevran princess, knowing that they were at least united on two counts: their love for Celeste and their disdain for Oonagh.

‘It’s always good to see me,’ said Anika, tossing her hair. ‘Unless you’re one of my many enemies, of course.’

‘I must ask,’ said Rose. ‘What was your talent?’

‘Oh, the best one.’ Anika smiled coyly. ‘My darling fox did a little dance – and then I stood on a horse as it leaped over a wall.’

‘It was very impressive,’ admitted Shen.

‘Not good enough to win the King’s Choice, clearly,’ said Anika, with a wink. ‘Never mind. You’re not my type anyway – no offence. Now. Enough pleasantries.’ Anika turned on Rose. ‘Celeste says you intend to fight your wretched undead ancestor.’

Rose nodded. ‘Once I find the weapon I need.’

Anika’s lip curled. ‘That destructive creature has been terrorizing my country for months. We’ve tried to kill her, with no luck.’

‘Don’t worry,’ said Shen, leading the way to the armoury. ‘We’re about to change that.’

Wren

CHAPTER 23

The Healer on High rang a bell on the side table, and Maeva returned to collect Wren and Alarik. Wren’s stomach knotted as she led them deeper into the mountains, down a winding tunnel that seemed to go on forever. It got darker and warmer until the humid air curled the wayward strands around Wren’s face.

Alarik walked alongside her, silent as stone. She watched him from the corner of her eye, trying to read his face in the dimness. His jaw was tight, and his fists were clenched. He must be nervous, too. After all, they were as far from Gevra as they had ever been and Alarik was placing his life – hisfate– in the hands of witches he knew next to nothing about. A small part of Wren admired him for that.

At last, they reached the end of the tunnel, which spilled out into a cavern that contained a large crystalline pool. The everlights here refracted off hundreds of precious crystals embedded in the rock. They looked like stars, casting the pool in a soft silvery glow.

Alarik walked along the edge of the bath, running his hand through the steam. ‘At least it’s warm,’ he said, breaking the strange tension that had followed them under the mountain.

‘And healing,’ Maeva reminded him. ‘These are Eana’s tears, after all.’

‘So you’ve said.’ He turned to look at Wren. ‘It’s not like you to be so quiet.’

‘I’m just … taking it all in,’ said Wren, uncertainly. Now that the reality of what they were about to do was dawning on her, she was feeling squeamish. The cavern was completely empty, save for the three of them, and though the steam was thick, she would still be able to see Alarik through it. Without a shirt. And he would be able to see her, too.

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