Page 20 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses

“Well, are you?”

“Maybe,” he mused. “Or maybe I just enjoy beating others at their own games.”

That, I understood.

Wasn’t I doing the same thing right now? Keeping Heliconia’s visit from him so he wouldn’t realize the danger until we’d sworn the oath to fight beside each other no matter what?

I shoved away the thought that I was somehow betraying him.

This was necessary for the survival of my people.

And maybe Callan was right, and we’d be friends. He would understand why I’d kept the truth from him for a few more days.

We both wanted the same things in the end.

Our steps fell into sync, and the world around us faded into the background. It was just me and Callan, the future hanging over us like one of the floating lanterns above. Except, for the first time since agreeing to this alliance, I wondered if the future might be brighter than I’d imagined. If maybe a life with Callan wouldn’t trap me after all. If maybe it could even offer—if not the freedom I longed for—some measure of happiness.

“Tell me,” I said, needing to shift the conversation and my own dangerous thoughts, “What was it like fighting at Staghall? I read the reports of theattack and how you’d laid out the whole thing as a trap. I hear the Autumn Court’s soldiers are unmatched even against Obsidians.”

The word almost stuck in my throat, but I managed to get it out.

There was a flicker of something in his expression—hesitation, maybe even discomfort—before he quickly recovered, his smile returning. “Staghall was… intense, I suppose.”

“You suppose?”

He twirled me gently, deflecting. “War is never pleasant, even when you win.”

“True. But that’s not really an answer.” I studied his face, noting the subtle tension that had crept into his features.

Callan shrugged lightly, his voice losing some of its earlier charm. “The details aren’t important. What matters is that we won, and we’ll continue to win, especially with Sevanwinds’ armies by our side.”

I frowned, sensing there was more to his reluctance than he was letting on. “For someone with your reputation for battle, I thought you would be more willing to share what it’s like on the battlefield.” And a little more willing to brag.

Maybe even out his magic. I still had no idea what his power was. And for someone with his obvious arrogance, his secrecy surprised me.

His jaw tightened. He looked away, the charming prince slipping just enough for me to see the cracks beneath. “Let’s just say… Autumn shows no mercy.”

Before I could press further, the music stopped abruptly, and a ripple of unease swept through the crowd. Callan paused, his hand still on my waist, as we both looked to identify what had made the musicians stop in the middle of the song.

Another ripple—this one of magic, heavy and dark and ancient from the way it made my blood sing. Just like it had done with the Obsidian.

I tensed, dread filling me as swiftly as breath.

“Get back,” Callan said, tugging my hand.

I went with him, straining to see where my parents had gone, but black smoke erupted, filling the space until I couldn’t see past my own nose. All I knew was the scent of dark magic and Callan’s hand squeezing my own as we stumbled back.

People coughed and cried out as we passed them, everyone blinded by the thick smoke.

Someone screamed.

Panic gripped me, but I shoved it back. I wouldn’t freeze again. Not like I’d done with the Obsidian. If another one had managed to find its way here, I would face it.

Hels, I needed a weapon.

Something like thunder boomed, rending the air. I flinched, ducking my head instinctively.

A second later, the smoke cleared all at once, like a veil being lifted.

---