Page 24 of When Ashes Fall

We were almost to the gates when my conscience got the best of me. It was an annoying thing that persisted in claiming a small part of my tattered soul.

“You will remain here,” I told her, “and continue to care for the roses and other plants.”

Briar’s jaw worked back and forth as she fought to keep from speaking; finally, she gave in. “So I’m to remain even if I’m useless to you?”

“You’re not useless to me. The roses are much healthier, and even if she can’t break the curse, your mother still wants you back. Infuriating her by keeping you is a bonus.”

It was clear there was no love between mother and daughter, and I was sure Marina only wanted Briar to destroy her. I’d make sure that didn’t happen.

Despite that, I couldn’t fully trust her again. I’d spent years believing Briar had me imprisoned, raped, and tortured in ways no one should endure. It wasn’t easy to trust again… no matter how badly I wanted to.

Turning her wrist over, I examined the burn there. It already looked better, but the perfect imprint of a rose and blisters lingered on her otherwise pristine skin. I didn’t bother to look at my burn; it was healing, just as the many other burns Marina had left on me did.

I stroked the area around Briar’s raw flesh. I’d dump Marina in a pit of her acidic roses one day and relish that bitch’s screams.

“How often has she burned you?” I asked.

Shame flashed across Briar’s face as she turned her wrist over, hiding the mark from me. “I never bothered to keep count, but at least once a day, if not more. I’m used to it now.”

“No one should be used to this.”

Her eyes flashed to me, and her head tipped to the side. “Careful, Knox, I might think you have some sympathy for me.”

I smiled grimly at her. “We can’t have that.”

“No, we can’t. So, I’m to remain here until you can trade me off or use me in some other way to benefit yourself,” she stated.

Ignore the sorrow in her voice. Ignore it.

“That is the way the kingdoms work,” I said.

“Not for me.”

I frowned at her as she stared at the ground. On her shoulder, I swear the lowleeto glared at me. I scowled back at it.

“That’s the way they work for everyone,” I said more sharply than I intended. “The sooner you accept that, the better off you’ll be.”

She shook her head. “I’m sorry for what you’ve turned into.”

“I’m not.”

“Will I be able to gather more mushrooms?” she asked, determined to change the subject. “Because of your tantrum in the woods, I didn’t collect as many as I would have liked.”

“I didn’t throw a tantrum.”

“Then what would you call it?”

“I’d call it trying to save a stupid girl who wandered into a place that will get her killed.”

“I wasn’t such a stupid girl when you were fucking me!” she snapped.

We were both little more than children back then, innocent and full of reckless dreams. I could barely recall the man I was back then… I was barely grown, little more than eighteen, while she was seventeen.

I’d believed I could keep her safe from all the atrocities of the kingdoms, but I’d been wrong. Now, I could actually keep her safe, but I could never experience such simple love and innocence again.

“That was a lifetime ago,” I told her.

“And a better you.”