Page 80 of Forged By Malice (Beasts of the Briar #3)

79

Rosalina

T he air around me seems to sparkle. Flower petals float from the cherry blossom trees, a warm breeze blowing through its branches. Lazy clouds drift by, and the sun’s rays feel like kisses over my skin. I lie in the grass, encased by the rocky wall, gazing up at the sky and wondering how my ordinary life could be so touched by magic.

My mate lies beside me. Our clothes were nearly dry, so I pulled on my dress and Ezryn’s wearing his pants, but he’s shirtless. Staring at his carved chest, the bob of his throat as he breathes, makes me want to leap back on top of him.

But that will come. What happens next is most important. My heart bursts with excitement. I sit up on my elbow and peer over at him.

He smiles up at me. I can’t believe this face has been hidden from me for so long. But now it’s mine forever. “Ez?”

“Yes, Petal?” He caresses my cheek.

I can barely contain my smile. This is it. I can feel it, my heart bond singing out in a chorus. A familiar feeling that reminds me of a rainy afternoon underneath a canopy of fall leaves, and yet something new all together. “I meant what I said earlier. I see who you are. Whatever life you’ve lived in the past, whatever you’ve had to do to make peace with yourself, it doesn’t matter to me. Because I know this heart.” I place my hand on his chest. “It beats with strength and goodness and love. You are more than your beast. You are everything to me.”

He sits up, hand tightening on my face. His brown eyes swirl with emotion. “I was born and raised to be a great leader for Spring. And at every turn, I have only let my people down. Destroyed the hopes and trust of those who love me.” His gaze drifts up to the willow tree. “There’s always been something wrong with me, Rose. Something jagged and broken. I thought I kept it at bay by killing … by falling into malice. I never thought I could leave it behind.” He sucks in a breath. “But there must be some hope for me if I have earned your love.”

“There is more than hope.” The air sparks and light shines beneath Ezryn’s skin. “The world needs you, Ezryn.”

“For you, Rosalina, I will be better,” he breathes. “For you, I would do anything.”

I recognize the shimmer from Farron’s skin months ago. I can’t help myself, crying out and wrapping my arms around Ezryn’s neck. It’s happening.

Ezryn’s curse is breaking.

“Look, Ez!” I cry. Finally, Ezryn will be rid of the monster that he swears he is. And all of the Spring staff will be free. Marigold can reunite with Eldy without fear. Ezryn’s power will grow. We can protect Spring. Everything is going to be okay—

“Rose?” Ezryn pulls away from me and gets to his feet. “Rose, you need to—”

“It’s okay, Ezryn!” I smile up at him. “It’s your curse breaking!”

Light beams bright and the silhouette of a wolf begins to form behind him. Something is wrong though. Farron had looked curious, hopeful. Ezryn looks terrified. And the shadow of his wolf thrashes, clawing at his back.

“It’s okay, Ez. Just relax. Let it happen,” I breathe.

Ezryn doubles over, clutching his skin. “No! It’s too much. I can’t hold it. Rosalina, you need to go.”

I stumble up, backing into the rock wall. “What’s happening?”

Ez cries out again, his skin looking like a star about to combust. The wolf’s silhouette howls, a mournful, anguished sound. This is wrong. This isn’t the way it’s supposed to go.

“I won’t let it happen again,” Ezryn growls.

It’s like he’s fighting his curse breaking, pulling the beast back into himself. “Ez, stop! You need to let your curse break!”

“It’s too much power,” he grits. Then he jerks his head up, eyes glowing like a beast.

I gasp, hanging on to the rock wall to steady myself. Farron told me when his curse broke, his magic grew. And the last time Ezryn had a great influx of magic…

Was when his mother passed on the Blessing of Spring.

When he accidentally killed her.

“Rosalina,” Ezryn snarls. But it’s not his own voice, but that of the beast. “Leave. Now.”