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He smiled back, bending over to look more closely.

Rosalie had to leave, and he had to wait to find out if she would ever return. But she didn’t have to leave yet. A few more days wouldn’t hurt.

Chapter 22

Rosalie

The best part of the aftermath of Jace’s invasion was that they were free to enjoy the grounds again. The days, and especially nights, were growing colder as winter approached, and Rosalie didn’t want to waste the last of the sun. On sunny days, she spent as much time outside as possible, wandering the gardens or resting on the soft grass.

It was utterly delightful to finally rest after nearly a year of frenetic activity. Knowing her family would soon have the means to rebuild their fortune allowed her to finally set down the load she had been carrying. But as the days drew into weeks, she started to find the inactivity of her life at the enchanted manor difficult.

“How do you do this all day?” she asked Daphne as they lay side by side in the grass one late afternoon.

“Do what?” Daphne asked sleepily.

“Rest. I like it, but I also get…antsy.”

Daphne chuckled, the sound a little groggy. “You would. You always have to be doing something. It’s easy, though. Just make resting your achievement for the day.”

Rosalie laughed. “It was all right while we still had the manor to explore. And then I made that map of the gardens. But now Iknow every corner and cranny of this place. There’s nothing left to do.” She looked up at the sky, enjoying the pink and gold hue of sunset. “I’ll miss it here when we leave, though.”

“Mmmm,” Daphne murmured, “yes. You’ll miss thehouse.”

Rosalie ignored her, sitting up. “I’m itching to know what Dimitri is up to. Confess—you know why he forbade us from going anywhere near the western courtyard this afternoon, don’t you?”

The grass rustled as Daphne rolled over. “There’s no use hassling me because I don’t know anything.”

A calculating look settled on Rosalie’s face.

“There’s no point asking your brothers, either,” Daphne said. “If Dimitri didn’t tell me, there’s no way he told them.”

Rosalie flopped back down. “That’s true.”

“You’re too curious for your own good, that’s your problem,” Daphne said.

“And you’re not curious enough! I don’t know how you do it.”

“It’s easy.” Daphne yawned. “Just put it out of your mind and have a nap instead.”

“We’re here,” Oscar announced. “All of us. And with the requested food.”

Rosalie sat up again. “Food? Are we having a picnic?”

“No idea,” Vernon said cheerfully. “We just did what we were told.”

“Quadruple pay today,” Ralph added.

“I’m glad he’s been paying them daily out of the replenishing chest,” Daphne said. “They’re going to be rich by the end of this.”

But Rosalie wasn’t distracted. “It’s getting a little cold now the sun’s gone down. Are you sure the picnic wasn’t supposed to be at midday?”

Dimitri cleared his throat, drawing her attention. She scrambled to her feet. “Have you finished in the courtyard?” she asked eagerly. “Are we allowed to look now?”

He bowed low and gestured in the courtyard’s direction.

“Allow me to escort you, my lady.”

“Are we all supposed to come?” Daphne asked.