Page 5 of Burning Crowns

Rose hated feeling afraid. She had spent her entire childhood learning how to live with fear. How to bear it; how to try to outrun it. She had promised herself that as soon as she was queen, she would never be afraid again.

But standing on the banks of Lake Carranam with thick, billowing smoke stinging her eyes and choking her, with the screams of her people ringing in her ears and with her sister suddenly ripped from her side, true fear coursed through Rose.

It was so potent that for a moment she thought she was frozen. But Rose had learned not to let fear rule her. And she certainly wasn’t going to let it consume her now. She was no longer a frightened child or a naive princess, a puppet to be used for someone else’s gain. She was a queen. A witch. A leader.

And something, or someone, was threatening her people. Her sister. Her celebration!

She would not stand for it. Rose’s terror was swiftly replaced with a hot and righteous anger. She strode into the darkness, ready to take control. But first she had to clear this wretched smoke. She couldn’t see a thing, including her own sister, who had been standing here just a moment ago.

‘Wren, where are you?’ she hissed.

There was no response. Rose pushed down her rising worry and focused on the task at hand.One step at a time, she told herself. That was how anything got done. First clear the smoke, then calm the crowd and then … then she would find Wren. And try not to throttle her.

Of the five strands of magic, the tempest strand was the one Rose struggled with the most. The wildness of it felt fierce and unfamiliar, but she focused her energy now and cast her magic out, searching for a wisp of wind that she could bend to her will.There. She found one and managed to turn it into a weak gust, blowing away a plume of smoke and dispersing it out over the lake.

As some the darkness began to dissipate, Rose saw a handful of terrified faces staring back at her. Those without magic held their candles uncertainly, only a few still flickering, while the witches were standing to attention, waiting for instruction.

Wren was nowhere to be seen.

She’s fine, Rose told herself, as she plastered on her brightest smile.Everything is fine.

But she needed help.

She caught Rowena’s eye, and desperately hoped the witch would hear her silent plea. Rowena was the strongest tempest she knew. And even if she didn’t like Rose very much, surely she would help her clear the darkening fog.

Rowena caught Rose’s gaze and dipped her chin, squaring herself to the task. Moments later, a brisk wind picked up and blew the remaining smoke across the lake.

Rose lifted up her hands, pretending she was clearing the air. ‘And no matter what darkness may fall on us, together we may banish it,’she cried in a rallying voice. ‘And we will burn even brighter than before.’

Rose could have sworn she heard Tilda, snickering nearby, but she kept her smile in place as she solemnly bowed her head and then, feeling quite out of ideas about how to get the festival back on course, she briskly clapped her hands three times.

‘And now it is time for the … ceremonial flower gathering! Everyone must pick a wildflower and …’ She trailed off and did an elaborate twirl, desperately trying to think of a clever distraction. ‘And weave it to their hair! Yes, that’s right. A flower from the banks of Lake Carranam is known to bring good fortune indeed.’ Rose feigned a chuckle. ‘And we are all deserving of that.’

There was an agonizing moment of silence. And then Tilda, who always loved to cause a commotion, let out a whoop of excitement. ‘I bet I can find a waterlily to wear like a hat!’ she crowed. ‘That will be the luckiest flower of them all!’ With that, a chorus of laughter broke out, and to Rose’s overwhelming relief, everyone knelt down and began to pick their flowers.

Rose beamed. ‘And of course, after the ceremonial flower gathering there will be more treats for all! And more wine!’ Goodness, she hoped Cam had brought extra cake. ‘And dancing! To show off our flowers!’

Once everyone was duly distracted, Rose turned on her heel and crashed straight into the person behind her, nearly falling over.

Strong hands steadied her. They were warm and familiar.

For the briefest of moments, Rose let herself be held. She inhaled Shen’s intoxicating scent, enjoying the feel of his body pressed against hers.Then she pulled away. It would not do for her to look weak, as if she could not stand on her own. Even if she wished she could steal away to a hidden clearing and sink into his arms again.

‘Ceremonial wildflower gathering?’ he said, raising a dark brow. ‘How come I’ve never heard of that?’

‘It’s a time of new traditions,’ said Rose, her lips twitching. Despite the disastrous turn the festival had taken, seeing Shen Lo still made her smile. At least for a moment.

His face grew serious then, mirroring her own. ‘What just happened?’

Before she could reply, Rowena barrelled towards them, practically shoving people out of her way. ‘Hissing hell, Valhart, what was that? You’re lucky I was here to help.’

Rose hushed her. ‘Please lower your voice!’

Rowena carried on as if she hadn’t heard her. ‘And where is Wren? She could have blown all that smoke away with ease.’

Rose smiled through clenched teeth, all too aware of a nearby cluster of townsfolk, leaning in to eavesdrop. ‘Rowena, I think I saw a lovely patch of bluebells over by the trees. They would look especially splendid in your hair. Shall we go and look together?’ She linked arms with the scowling tempest witch, who rolled her eyes but gamely walked with Rose away from the crowd.

Shen followed a few steps behind.

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