Page 116 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses

We hadn’t spoken a word since we’d left the donation center.

Callan stood by the hearth, a drink in hand, his golden eyes fastened on me as I entered. He didn’t seem surprised by my arrival—maybe he’d already gotten word about where I’d been.

Rydian followed me into the room, and when Callan’s gaze flicked to his half-brother, his eyes narrowed.

“We need to talk,” I said, my voice sharper than usual. But I didn’t care. Not anymore.

“Wait outside.” Callan’s voice was clipped as he waved his brother toward the door.

Rydian didn’t move, and I tensed.

“Is there something else?” Callan asked, lifting a brow.

“As a matter of fact, I think I’ll stay.” Rydian crossed his arms and planted his feet.

Callan glared at him. “You will leave us, or I will mention to dear old Dad that your blood vow needs refreshing.”

Rydian’s lip curled. “Keep your fucking hands to yourself,” he snarled; then he turned and stalked out.

Blood vow?

The door clicked shut, and Callan sighed, setting down his glass. “I assume this is about the donation center?”

I shoved aside all thoughts of Rydian and faced Callan.

“Of course it’s about the donation center,” I snapped, crossing the room in quick, angry steps. “You never told me your land was cursed like mine.”

“I told you Heliconia had not left us untouched. And that we had taken steps to counter her efforts.”

“These are the measures in place you mentioned? When were you going to tell me?”

“When it became relevant.”

I huffed. “You spoke of honesty and then you lie—about this? Your people are dying. Their magic is being drained like they’re nothing. How can you allow this?”

His jaw flexed, and for a moment, I saw something flash in his eyes—regret, guilt, maybe even shame. But it was gone just as quickly, replaced by the unaffected charm he always wore so well.

“It’s not that simple.”

I stopped in front of him, anger simmering just beneath the surface. “Then make it simple for me. Tell me why we’re not doing something to stop this.”

Callan turned away from me, running a hand through hishair. “For what it’s worth, I’m against the magic donations,” he said. “I never wanted this. It’s my father’s decree, not mine.”

“Thenchallengehim,” I said, my frustration boiling over. “You’re the crown prince. You have power. You’re going to be king one day—actlike it.”

“You think it’s that easy?” he hissed. “You think I can just walk into the throne room and tell the Autumn king what to do? My father doesn’t listen to reason. He only sees what he wants to see—and right now, that’s a kingdom too weak to face Heliconia without sacrifice.”

“That’s not sacrifice—that’s slavery and murder,” I said, my voice shaking with disbelief. “You’re draining your people to the point of death. And for what? To pretend you’re not as vulnerable as you really are?”

Callan’s eyes darkened, and for a moment, I thought I saw fear there—real fear. “You don’t understand. My father doesn’task. He commands. And if I step out of line, he’ll strip me of everything. My position, my magic, my future. And then what will happen to you, to Sevanwinds? To the alliance?”

I blinked, caught off guard by his admission. It hit me all at once—Callan wasn’t just unwilling to act, he wasafraid. Afraid of his father. Of losing the power he’d worked his whole life to secure. He was a child still yearning for his father’s favor, no matter what it cost to get it.

“Callan…” My voice softened, but the anger still churned inside me. “You can’t just stand by and wait for things to change. You’re the future king—if you won’t stop him, who will?”

His gaze met mine, hard and unyielding. “We can’t afford to fight two wars. My father’s methods are wrong, but right now, Heliconia is the real threat. We defeat her first; then we deal with this. We muststay focused.”

“That’s what I’m trying to do,” I snapped, the heat of my magic rising with my frustration. “But you’re not giving me the resources you promised. How am I supposed to protect my people if I don’t even have the tools to break their curse?”

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