Page 20 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses (Cursed Fae Courts #1)

Chapter Twenty

Aurelia

I sat in Sonoma’s room until my tears dried. At some point, I’d climbed into her bed and inhaled the scent of her until my senses were dull with the effort. There was no body to bury. No grave to mark. Only emptiness. I’d once thought loneliness couldn’t get worse than the kind the curse had brought me, but the clanging emptiness surrounding me now was more painful than anything I could’ve imagined.

Finally, my tears were gone, and the numbness that came after slid slowly into resolve. I had to leave. And soon. The Furiosities would handle the wards but not until I was gone. As long as those assholes Eld and Age didn’t fuck it up on purpose.

My uncles seemed the type to do that.

But I had a feeling my father wouldn’t let them.

I felt a strange sort of comfort in suddenly having family—even if they were the rulers of Hel.

Then again, meeting my father had challenged everything I thought I knew about the Underworld. I’d been raised to believe Hel was evil. Dark and deadly and devoted to suffering. And while their power could be used for darkness—Heliconia was an example of that—it wasn’t all bad.

It couldn’t be. Not with the amount of love that existed between Sonoma and Ire—my mother and father. Anyone could see that what they felt for one another was pure and good.

I wasn’t sure where that left me on the spectrum of evil, but by the time I sat up and dusted myself off, I almost didn’t care. As long as the power I’d been gifted was enough to save my people.

The blankets rustled as I slipped to the edge of the bed. Shoving them aside, I started to rise then stopped at the sound of something crinkling. I looked down to find a slip of paper sticking out from beneath the pillow.

Yanking it free, I read the words scrawled in Sonoma’s handwriting with widening eyes.

Aurelia,

The bargain I made kept you safe, but it also kept you in the dark about what you’re capable of. For that, I’m sorry. Heliconia is strong, but you are stronger. The Fates’ blessings are the key. Unlock those and you’ll have what you need to stop her. Your uncles will seal the wards as soon as you leave. Let Callan protect you while you search. And stop fighting your furyfire. Darkness doesn’t always equal evil. Light isn’t always good. We love you.

Mom

I re-read it three times, committing each word to memory. Then, I took Sonoma’s sword and left the rest behind.

I went to my bedroom first. It took me a scant few minutes to pack, but I forced myself to bathe first and put on fresh clothes. I dressed in the clothing of an Aine warrior. Armor made of scaled rubidium, lightweight and breathable. A cloak embroidered with a sun wrapped in roses, the crest of Sevanwinds. And both Sonoma’s sword and my own strapped across my back. I braided my hair to one side, covering my tattoo.

The only two gowns I owned that weren’t falling apart from disuse went into my suitcase along with a pendant Lesha had given me for my birthday three years ago.

Far too quickly, it was done.

My entire life—all my belongings—bagged and ready.

I paused at the window, staring out over the city of Rosewood one last time. The tiled rooftops, fenced yards, and wide, empty streets were like an old friend. But the overgrown gardens covered in my mother’s favorite rosebushes, all of them gnarled and overgrown with thorns, shattered the sense of home. The vibrant red roses had once been a true symbol of eternal summer. Now, black petals—rotted and scented with decay—were all that grew here.

This was Heliconia’s mark—and I’d be glad to leave it behind.

Even if it felt like I’d cut my own heart out and leave it here too.

I went to the royal bedroom next. The king and queen were undisturbed despite the soldiers I’d fought here earlier. I kissed each of their cheeks and pulled the covers up, tucking them in one last time. I didn’t dare speak out loud like I usually did. Partly out of fear Callan or his soldiers would hear me, but mostly because I knew I would break down if I did. On my way out, I slipped a handful of royal jewels into my bag along with the gold coins kept in the armoire.

I saved Lilah’s room for last.

She was innocent and beautiful nestled in her cozy sheets.

My eyes watered at the thought of not seeing her like this every day, but I reminded myself she could be listening. I wouldn’t let fear be the last thing I gave her.

“I have to leave for a while,” I whispered as I knelt beside her. “But I don’t want you to worry about that. You are safe here. And when I return to wake you, the first thing we’ll do is throw a party. And you can stay up as late as you want, dancing and eating all the delicious food.”

The answering silence pressed down around me.

I sniffled.

“Stay out of trouble,” I said, hating this moment. This day. This life. “I’ll be back soon. I love you.”

The castle had never been quieter as I made my way to the library. The Silent Kingdom at last—with me the only one left here to make a sound. I wanted to leave a note for Lesha in case she made it back. But with the wards up and impenetrable, she would have no way to get it. I couldn’t risk leaving one outside the wards where anyone could find it. The thought of her returning here only to find herself locked out left a pit in my stomach. But I’d do whatever I could to find her the moment Callan’s resources offered me the chance.

Callan.

He was going to be my savior after all.

Each step closer to him seemed to echo with loss—the goodbye I’d said to Sonoma and the others, the father I’d never gotten to know, the future I was giving up by marrying the Autumn prince.

When I finally reached the library, I paused outside the door and swallowed the ache in my throat, wiping away the last of my tears before I unlocked and entered the room.

Outside the windows, dawn had broken, casting a gray-hued light over the room. Callan stood near the fire, talking in low tones with Fletcher and Holt. The Autumn Prince was just as handsome as I remembered. Somehow, seeing him so unchanged only served to remind me of how little I resembled the girl he’d met seven years ago. And how much I’d lost in those years since.

The three of them quieted when they saw me, the soldiers’ eyes narrowing with something akin to suspicion—or maybe unease.

I didn’t blame them. Besides, the feeling was mutual.

Callan’s gaze met mine, and his brow furrowed with concern at whatever he saw in my expression. Then he glanced down, noting my armor, weapons, and the bag dangling in my hand. “Aurelia?”

I cleared my throat and shoved the words out before I could talk myself out of it. “I’ll marry you.”

His expression shifted quickly—surprise and then a small flicker of something I couldn’t name. He approached me, stopping a safe distance away as if he thought he might spook me. “You’re sure?”

The question nearly undid me. Was I sure? Of course not. I wasn’t sure of anything anymore, but that didn’t matter.

“Yes,” I replied, my voice steady even as the ground beneath me felt like it was crumbling. “On one condition.”

“Name it.”

“You will help me find the information I need to break this curse—to free my people.”

“Done.”

I blinked. “Just like that?”

He shrugged. “It’s the right thing to do, isn’t it?”

I couldn’t bring myself to point out that he’d never once done the right thing as far as I was concerned. Instead, I said, “Then I accept your proposal. You have my alliance.”

Callan’s expression softened with relief. “You’re making the right choice, Aurelia. For both of us.”

He took another step, so close now I could feel the warmth of his body seeping into the cold space between us. His gaze held mine as if searching for something—an invitation, maybe, or a sign. But he didn’t wait for either. Instead, he leaned down, brushing his lips over mine before I could react.

The kiss was…soft, hesitant. He tasted of mint and, be neath it, the barest hint of blue vervain. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t what I’d expected either. I froze for a moment, too shocked to move, but then?—

I shoved him back.

“What was that for?” I asked, glaring up at him as I wiped my mouth.

Either Holt or Fletcher snickered.

Callan frowned, looking more disappointed than sorry. “I thought—” He straightened, his cheeks flushing faintly. “It’s what the stories claimed. The legends tell of the Sleeping Beauty curse, and?—”

My eyes narrowed. “And what?”

He glanced away, suddenly unwilling to meet my eyes. “It’s said that only true love’s kiss can break the curse of eternal sleep.”

I stared at him, dumbfounded, waiting for him to laugh or smirk or show some sign that this was a joke. But he didn’t. He just stood there, straight-faced and unapologetic.

“That,” I said slowly, “is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”

Callan blinked, clearly taken aback. “Excuse me?”

I threw up my hands. “What fairytale are you living in? Do you really believe that a kiss will magically solve all our problems? A curse doesn’t break because someone’s lips touch mine, Callan.”

His jaw tightened, a muscle ticking beneath his skin.

“Let’s go.” I hitched my bag onto my shoulder and turned on my heel, heading for the door without waiting for his reply. “We need to get out of here before the wards are remade.”

For a moment, I thought he might protest—might stop me and demand we talk more about whatever nonsense he’d heard about kissing being the answer to anything. But then he sighed behind me, the sound heavy with resignation.

He followed, his soldiers trailing behind .

Neither of us spoke as we made our way down the torchlit corridors toward the exit.

What could he possibly say?

That kiss had been a mistake. It wasn’t love. Wasn’t anything close to it. This alliance was nothing more than a necessary evil, and I had no room in my heart for anything else. Not after what I’d just lost.

Sonoma’s absence was a jagged wound, her happiness at reuniting with my father both a comfort and a knife twisting in it. And Ire—gods, Ire. That look he’d given her before they’d disappeared into the shadows was one of blinding affection. And love. And yet, he was gone now too, slipping from my grasp like smoke through my fingers.

Prophecy or not, I was alone in this—truly.

There would be no fairytale ending for me.

My only purpose was to save this land, and I’d do that if it killed me.

We reached the doors where Callan had once made his grand entrance into my life. I stopped, overcome with memories. Callan paused beside me, his hand briefly brushing my arm.

I glanced up, meeting his golden eyes.

“Aurelia,” he said softly.

I knew what he wanted to say—that we could make this work. That there was still something between us, some sliver of hope for more than just a cold political marriage. But I didn’t want to hear it.

“We do this for my kingdom,” I said quietly. “And yours. We do this to destroy Heliconia. Nothing more.”

Callan didn’t argue.

I placed my palms on the doors and shoved. They swung open, and brittle dawn spilled over us. The wind bit at my nose, promising to only grow worse the farther I ventured into it .

Once, I’d dreamt of being an Aine. A warrior nomad who traveled far and wide to defend crown and country. Today, I’d gotten my wish—and it had broken every last piece of my heart.