Page 100 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses

“The Obsidian said your alliance with the prince was the key to her destruction.”

His words sucked the air from my lungs. I didn’t want to remember that stupid prediction. Not now. Not after everything I’d learned. But I hadn’t missed the emphasis he’d put on the word prince. As if to remind both of us of the reality.

Rydian and me—this was impossible. I couldn’t let myself want it.

Besides, the male clearly still had secrets he wasn’t interested in sharing. And if I’d taken one thing away from Sonoma’s confession, it was that I had no tolerance for secrets ever again.

“I have to get back,” I said, trying to put some distance between myself and everything I’d just felt when he kissed me.

“I know this is difficult, but give me some time,” he began, but I cut him off.

“I don’t need anything from you,” I said coldly. “And I can take care of myself.”

His eyes flashed with something like regret before his mask slid back into place. It was less hateful than before but just as unwelcoming.

“I’ll walk you out.” Rather than usher me out the back, he led the way out of the room, his boots heavy on the bare floors.

I followed stiffly.

The kitchen gave way to a small dining area then a cozy living room that was curiously empty. The space held a couchwith a worn blanket draped over the back, a stack of books on an end table along with reading glasses, and a pair of muddy boots near the door. Were those Rydian’s reading glasses? Just picturing him wearing them had traitorous butterflies dancing against my ribcage.

A throat cleared pointedly, and I huffed, joining him by the door. He grabbed a cloak from a peg near the door and flung it around my shoulders.

“What are you doing?” I asked as he yanked the hood up over my head. It was so large it almost completely obscured my face. Just like the ones the Withered had worn.

“Some of the neighbors are loyal to the Withered. You’re safer if they don’t recognize you.”

He was protecting me—again. I couldn’t understand why, and the fact that he refused to tell me only sparked my temper.

“My safety is not your concern. I am engaged to your brother.”

“Engaged or not,” he said, his eyes smoldering again, “I will not allow anyone to touch you and live. Be careful who you let put their hands on you, Furious.”

I shuddered. Were we still talking about those who would do me harm—or a different kind of touch altogether?

He didn’t bother waiting for my answer before steering me out into the sunlight. When he started to shut the door on my heels, I whirled.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“You can see the city center from here,” he said, pointing toward the buildings of downtown, which towered over the suburbs where we stood. “Head there. I’m sure the royal guard will be searching for you. You’ll stumble on one of them soon enough.”

“You could, at least, show me how to get out of your neighborhood.”

“I think it’s best you turn up without the bastard prince at your side.”

With that, he shut the door in my face.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Rydian

The faintclickof the door echoed in my ears as I stood there, hating myself. I told myself it was better this way. That she was safer in the castle, surrounded by servants and my own spies.

Except she wasn’t.

I’d sent her back to a cage whose walls she didn’t even realize were tightening around her, a trap she’d never see coming until it was too late. She might not be the shallow princess I’d once assumed, but she was still naïve about the greed and violence Duron was capable of. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as Duron’s voice whispered through my memory.

“As the Chosen One, her power isn’t hers to keep,” he’d said, his tone casual, as if draining her of her magic was no more significant than harvesting wheat. “Whatever the Fates gave her, it belongs to Autumn now, and I’ll make sure it serves its purpose.”

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