Page 65 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses

Even if it felt like I’d cut my own heart out and leave it here too.

I went to the royal bedroom next. The king and queen were undisturbed despite the soldiers I’d fought here earlier. I kissed each of their cheeks and pulled the covers up, tucking them in one last time. I didn’t dare speak out loud like I usually did. Partly out of fear Callan or his soldiers would hear me, but mostly because I knew I would break down if I did. On my way out, I slipped a handful of royal jewels into my bag along with the gold coins kept in the armoire.

I saved Lilah’s room for last.

She was innocent and beautiful nestled in her cozy sheets.

My eyes watered at the thought of not seeing her like this every day, but I reminded myself she could be listening. I wouldn’t let fear be the last thing I gave her.

“I have to leave for a while,” I whispered as I knelt besideher. “But I don’t want you to worry about that. You are safe here. And when I return to wake you, the first thing we’ll do is throw a party. And you can stay up as late as you want, dancing and eating all the delicious food.”

The answering silence pressed down around me.

I sniffled.

“Stay out of trouble,” I said, hating this moment. This day. This life. “I’ll be back soon. I love you.”

The castle had never been quieter as I made my way to the library. The Silent Kingdom at last—with me the only one left here to make a sound. I wanted to leave a note for Lesha in case she made it back. But with the wards up and impenetrable, she would have no way to get it. I couldn’t risk leaving one outside the wards where anyone could find it. The thought of her returning here only to find herself locked out left a pit in my stomach. But I’d do whatever I could to find her the moment Callan’s resources offered me the chance.

Callan.

He was going to be my savior after all.

Each step closer to him seemed to echo with loss—the goodbye I’d said to Sonoma and the others, the father I’d never gotten to know, the future I was giving up by marrying the Autumn prince.

When I finally reached the library, I paused outside the door and swallowed the ache in my throat, wiping away the last of my tears before I unlocked and entered the room.

Outside the windows, dawn had broken, casting a gray-hued light over the room. Callan stood near the fire, talking in low tones with Fletcher and Holt. The Autumn Prince was just as handsome as I remembered. Somehow, seeing him so unchanged only served to remind me of how little I resembled the girl he’d met seven years ago. And how much I’d lost in those years since.

The three of them quieted when they saw me, the soldiers’eyes narrowing with something akin to suspicion—or maybe unease.

I didn’t blame them. Besides, the feeling was mutual.

Callan’s gaze met mine, and his brow furrowed with concern at whatever he saw in my expression. Then he glanced down, noting my armor, weapons, and the bag dangling in my hand. “Aurelia?”

I cleared my throat and shoved the words out before I could talk myself out of it. “I’ll marry you.”

His expression shifted quickly—surprise and then a small flicker of something I couldn’t name. He approached me, stopping a safe distance away as if he thought he might spook me. “You’re sure?”

The question nearly undid me. Was I sure? Of course not. I wasn’t sure of anything anymore, but that didn’t matter.

“Yes,” I replied, my voice steady even as the ground beneath me felt like it was crumbling. “On one condition.”

“Name it.”

“You will help me find the information I need to break this curse—to free my people.”

“Done.”

I blinked. “Just like that?”

He shrugged. “It’s the right thing to do, isn’t it?”

I couldn’t bring myself to point out that he’d never once done the right thing as far as I was concerned. Instead, I said, “Then I accept your proposal. You have my alliance.”

Callan’s expression softened with relief. “You’re making the right choice, Aurelia. For both of us.”

He took another step, so close now I could feel the warmth of his body seeping into the cold space between us. His gaze held mine as if searching for something—an invitation, maybe, or a sign. But he didn’t wait for either. Instead, he leaned down, brushing his lips over mine before I could react.

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