Page 6 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses

Sonoma only bit back a smile. “If those are the gifts you have at the ready, why not?”

“I have nogifts,remember?” I ground out between heavy breaths.

Sonoma said nothing as her sword clanged against mine.

My muscles screamed at me, but I kept going. I refused to think about my lack of magic or all the possible—weakened—abilities I might yet develop. Most fae discovered their magic between sixteen and eighteen. But more and more often, fae were coming of age without a single drop of power at all. While the fae of Menryth grew weaker, Heliconia grew stronger.

I refused to think about that either.

Twirling her sword, Sonoma barely looked winded. “A good warrior embraces what she has available rather than dwelling on what she doesn’t.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes—mostly because taking my gaze off her for even a second would only lead to defeat. But her familiar words grated. After my conversation aboutthe wedding earlier, I was already feeling sorry for myself. And the reminder that my magic was nearly nonexistent wasn’t helping.

Our swords rang out as they clashed, the only sound between us for several minutes. Taking her advice, I drew on the small kernel of power inside me and brought forth one of the tree roots at our feet. Sonoma stumbled but quickly righted herself again.

She smirked.

I glared.

“How can I protect my people if my worth is no more than a marriage contract?” I finally blurted, lowering my blade.

Sonoma’s eyes softened. “You’re more than you believe, Aurelia. You’ll see.”

I shook my head, frustration bubbling up inside me. “Are you sure? Because it feels like every choice is being made for me. What if I don’t want to do it this way? What if— What if Ican’tdo it?”

Her hand came to rest on my shoulder, the grip firm. “Your kingdom may not know what I’ve done in training you, but that doesn’t erase what you’ve become. You are a warrior, Aurelia. And warriors fight even when the battle is fought with something other than a sword.”

I stared at her, suddenly overcome with emotion.

“Will you be there?” I asked quietly. “At the wedding?”

Sonoma’s expression flickered with regret, just for a moment, before she turned away. “Lesha, Amanti, and I will be on duty,” she said, her voice back to its usual composed tone.

“On whose orders?” I couldn’t help but ask. Anger rose in me, swift and hot. “The queen?”

But Sonoma shook her head. “I volunteered.”

My anger drained away. Hurt bloomed in its place. “Why?”

“We will be guarding the court against potential threats throughout the celebrations.”

Guarding the court. Always the warrior. Even when I needed her to be a friend. Sonoma’s dedication to her oath both filled me with admiration and carved me hollow with loneliness.

“There’ve been reports of dark magic felt as far south as Rosewood’s northern boundary,” she added.

I waited for more, but she didn’t say anything else. I didn’t push. I knew better.

Suddenly, Sonoma froze, her hand darting out in a warning signal. Her silver eyes flickered with sharp awareness as she stared into the thick trees.

Beyond the safety of our shield, the forest felt charged with an unnatural energy, dark and malicious.

“Raise your weapon,” Sonoma said, her voice low, scanning the shadows.

“What is it?”

Sonoma’s expression was grim. “An Obsidian.”

Chapter Three

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