Page 88 of When Roses Burn

The smile that lit her face caused a pang in my heart. That’s the way she always looked when we reunited in No Man’s Land after being separated for a bit. It had warmed me then, and it did again now, far more than I should let it.

“If I could help break it, I would,” she said. “If you want me to leave, I will.”

“And go to Terra?”

“Maybe. I don’t have many options, but I’ll leave if you ask me to. I know nobody wants a caster here.”

I didn’t like the idea of her anywhere near Devnair or the elves. They were tricky creatures, manipulative at times, and only looked out for themselves. Plus, I’d seen the way he looked at her, and I had no doubt Devnair would thoroughly enjoy having her in his clutches.

“I didn’t say that,” I stated.

“Am I still a prisoner then?”

“You’re free to leave the tower, but not the castle grounds. The shadow dragon doesn’t like visitors.”

Excitement bloomed in her eyes, and that heart-stopping smile grew bigger. “Understood.”

“Bertie would like your help with the plants and rosebushes here, if you’re still willing to lend a hand.”

She nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, I would. If you have earth moss, I can make a potion.”

“There’s some in the lower gardens. I’ll take you to it later. If any of the plants die, not only will I lock you back in this room, but I’ll strip your skin from you.”

My promise didn’t dim the shine in her eyes. “I won’t let that happen.”

I scanned her again. “We’ll start with one plant for you to make sure.”

“It’s going to be the best-looking plant in the palace.”

I bit back a smile at her enthusiasm. “I’m going to hold you to that. We also have a library. I’m not sure if you still love to read⁠—”

“I love it!” she blurted before I could finish my sentence. “My mother barred me from it, and I’ve missed it so much.”

The joy on her face rattled me, and for a moment, it took all I had not to leave the room, sink to the floor, and scream from the fury and loss radiating through me. I’d once loved seeing her joy so much that I would have ripped the moons from the sky for her.

While I was in the harem, I’d vowed that when I found her again, she’d never know another day of happiness, but I was giving it to her again. More than that, I wanted to give it to her.

She could still be lying to you about everything, I reminded myself.

And while that was true, I wasn’t as convinced of it as I was before. She was right, her mother hadn’t cast a spell over her to learn the truth; Marina would have made sure she remembered it.

How the queen of the night casters learned our secrets remained a mystery, but I would discover the answer, even if it meant learning Briar really was the heartless, traitorous bitch I’d believed her to be for the past ten years.

“I’ve been trying to read that book over there.” Briar waved her hand at a book on the table near the window. “But it’s on war and strategy, so it’s not my favorite read.”

“It wasn’t my favorite either, but my father insisted I read it. I didn’t get a quarter of the way through before I was taken to the harem.”

“You were the last one to read it.”

“I was. I used to spend a fair amount of time in this room.”

“It is beautiful, even if it’s a tower.”

I ignored the tug of guilt that accompanied her words. I’d put her in this room to get her to spill her secrets.

“You preferred fantasy, adventure, and some romance,” I said instead of apologizing. I wouldn’t apologize for doing what was necessary to get at the truth.

“I also enjoy a good mystery.”