Slowly, I stand, determined not to cower under his anger. If I can hold my own against the Prince of Thorns, then I can with this icy bastard. “Look, I know the thorns are attacking Castletree. But what if they aren’t all evil?” I try to flesh out the reasoning that has been racing through my mind. “They listen to me when I need help. That’s how I got out of the dungeon my first day. They made a ladder to help me escape. And in the Briar, the thorns protected me from the goblins. I think they wanted to help the roses in High Tower too.”
Keldarion is still as the frozen world beyond us. Only the tightening of his fists lets me know he heard my words.
“Kel.” I move toward him.
He steps out of my way, snarling. “The Prince of Thorns is the only one that can control the thorns. Not even his mother can do that. The briars are his twisted torment alone.”
“Okay, but what if—”
“No, Rosalina.” He grips me by the shoulders, forcing me to look at him. “It means he’s been watching you all this time. It might have seemed like help, but it’s all a cruel game.”
My heart shudders in my throat. My first night here, the dark figure that had brought me to the castle… Had it been him?
“If that’s true, then he saved your life.”And mine.
Keldarion growls and runs his hands through his matted white hair. “He doesn’t want me dead. He wants me to watch as he takes the castle, takes our realms. Takes everything I hold dear.”
“I know you feel that way,” I say, not sure why I’m pushing it. “But Ifeltthe briars, and they were—”
“Rosalina, listen carefully,” Kel says. “Every single part of the Briar is evil. Every single part of him is evil.”
I break away from Kel, anger rising. “Then why did you align with him? I heard the people in your realm. What happened with Caspian?”
It’s like I can see the fractures break apart in Kel’s face when I utter the Prince of Thorns’ name.
“It is none of your concern,” he says.
I storm over to him and pull up his sleeve. “What bargain did you make with the Below, Keldarion?”
There it is, clearly imprinted on his skin. A twisting mark along his arm.
He looks at me with sorrowful eyes. “One that has doomed all the Enchanted Vale.”
A silent gasp escapes my throat, and I try to back away, but Keldarion grips my face and pulls me toward him. What could he mean? All the Vale? Is it tied to the curse?
“Don’t you see, Rosalina?” Wild panic flares in his eyes. “I won’t let him take you.”
“He won’t,” I stutter. “You’re here. And Ez and Dayton and Farron. They’ll protect me.”
“Soon, they won’t even be able to protect themselves. You saw it yourself. Castletree is dying.”
Tears stream down my face, and I shake my head. “No, because we’re going to break the curse, and everything will be all right and—”
“He’s following you. Hewantsyou.” Kel’s palms tremble. “And I will not let him have you. Don’t you see, Rose? This is why you must go home.”
“But there are thorns at home,” I start to say before it feels like ice has been poured down my veins. I’ve fallen back into the river. “Kel, no—”
“The decision is made. You’ve done more than enough for us.” He straightens. “You are free.”
Keldarion doesn’t mean to take me back to Castletree. He means to take me to the rosebush.
To take me back to my old life.
58
Rosalina
AsthePrinceofWinter walks me through the frozen forest, my body feels numb and tingly, and a chill runs down my spine. I barely register the beauty of the snow-covered trees. A part of me is still frozen.