Page 67 of When Roses Burn

Briar had lived like that too. It was one of the reasons I’d considered her a kindred spirit as well as my mate.

“After that, the next time I entered the woods, I discovered you,” I said.

“We let you discover us.” When I shot her a disbelieving look, she laughed. “Did you really think your superior sense of smell and sight were what helped you uncover us? We are one with nature; you wouldn’t have known we were there if we didn’t let you see us. We were all around you before we ever revealed ourselves.”

I’d known the sprites only revealed themselves to those they deemed worthy, but I hadn’t realized they were watching me for so long, and I’d believed I’d found them. I may have been a disappointment to my father because I wasn’t as tough as he was, but I was a good hunter, even then.

“What do you plan to do with her?” Bertie asked as we continued down the hall.

“I’ll figure that out after her Needing.”

Bertie frowned at me. “I don’t understand.”

“One way or another, I’ll get the truth out of her about the curse.”

Bertie didn’t speak again until we entered the grand entry. “Are you looking for the real truth… or the one you already believe?”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“I remember the boy you were… kind, loving… lost, but so good at heart. You just needed to be found.”

“I’m not lost, Bertie. I’m going to do whatever it takes to break this curse, no matter the cost.”

“You shouldn’t say things like that.”

“Look around. All of this is because of me.”

“No, it’s not. Yes, you were a part of what happened, but all of this is not because of you. This is because of Marina.”

“And Briar.”

Bertie sighed. “Just make sure you’re willing to hear a truth you don’t like or anticipate. She’s locked in her room again.”

Bertie didn’t look at me again before flittering away. Halfway across the great hall, she vanished as she used her ability to turn invisible.

I started for the stairs but stopped halfway. There was nothing up there for me.

Retreating, I strode to the front door and pulled it open. The cool spring air was a welcome respite from the castle.

I’d left my boots on the porch after returning from examining the walls last night. The walls were in good condition, but I’d check them again now. Monitoring the property was far preferable to sitting inside.

I slipped my foot into one of my boots and cursed when something squished beneath my socks. Jerking my foot out, I lifted the boot and dumped it out as giggles came from beside me.

“Assholes,” I muttered as a squished mushroom fell on the steps.

The sprites’ giggles followed their flight, but they remained invisible. I turned over the other boot, and more mushrooms fell out.

With a sigh, I slid my boot on and laced it before jogging down the stone steps toward the courtyard. Pierce, Dromon, and Lyra were in the stables tending to the horses when I entered. They stopped what they were doing and exited the stalls. Lyra leaned on her pitchfork while the other two set them against stall doors.

“Stay away from the tower from now on,” I told them. “Take your nightly adventures elsewhere.”

“We will,” Dromon said.

I didn’t say anything more before I turned on my heel and walked out of the barn.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Briar