Page 126 of The Reaping Rose

Greener than any forest I’ve seen since stepping through the Arch.

Could it be an illusion?

Is the overlord right in believing Esen is not the curse but the solution? Does she repel this rot they think the Fae spread through their realm?

Lush vines crawl the stone manor, smelling as alive and rich as the forest in Quietus. The flutter of wings draws my attention to a peak, where a raven sits watching me. The moon hangs like an ominous smile behind it, daring me to run.

Before I reach the door, it swings open, and a man in a fine suit steps out. He holds the door open for me without a word, shifting to the side to let me pass. The moment I step through the threshold, the scent of frankincense fills my lungs. Incense swirls, tickling my nose and nearly making me sneeze.

The man leads me to a large parlor, where he leaves me to be judged by the portrait of a fair-haired woman hanging above the hearth. Fine paint lines capture the intricacy of her lace dress. Her lips are painted a surprisingly bright shade of red.

“I warned you not to come here.” Esen’s voice tickles my ear, but when I turn, she’s nowhere to be seen.

Overlord Farseth, however, strides into the room dressed as if he’s prepared to attend a ball. Far too fancy for a night at the manor. Maybe this is how he always dresses.

“Apologies for keeping you waiting.” He lifts my hand, pressing a kiss to the back of it as he stands before me.

The heat from the ring that ties him to Esen sears my skin, and I barely manage to hide my flinch as I rub my finger behind my back.

“I don’t believe we’ve met, Lady…” He eyes me curiously.

“Vale,” I offer with a slight curtsy. “Elorie Vale.”

“A beautiful name for a beautiful girl.” His smile is too sweet—his attention too keen. “My men said you have an issue you’d like to discuss.”

I nod, and he leads me to sit on one of the couches facing the hearth.

This close, I notice more gray sprinkled in his hair than on the day of the parade. It doesn’t match his smooth skin or enthusiastic young smile. He’s broad, tall. Mildly attractive for a man who makes my stomach churn as he sits directly beside me.

“Is your companion going to be joining us?” I ask as he rests an arm over the back of the couch, drawing closer.

“She’s preoccupied. We were… busy upon your arrival. She’s cleaning herself up.”

My teeth clench at his slimy smile, but I manage to mask my disgust. Breathing shallow, I now scent the smoky swirls within the frankincense. Esen’s scent lingers all over him.

“How can I be of help?” He hitches an eyebrow.

“I’ve heard whispers,” I start, lowering my voice and pretending to be careful about who might overhear. “Of the queen’s intentions, of what you can do to stop her from bringing back those vile creatures.”

I mock a shiver, wetting my lips. His gaze falls to my mouth, and I fight back the urge to move farther away.

“I believe she already has.”

His attention snaps to my eyes as he sits up straighter. “What have you heard?”

“Not heard.” I shake my head. “Seen. There were two Fae blending into the crowd during the parade. Watching from a distance. They used hoods to hide themselves, but I saw their ears.”

Overlord Farseth’s gaze darkens, his jaw clenching. “You’re sure?”

“They disappeared into the inn at the edge of town.” Leaning closer, I clutch his hand, fear dancing in my eyes. “Please say the rumors are true. That you can help. That she can… do whatever it is she does.”

“Ah, Esen, my dear.” He smiles over my shoulder, and I glance to see Esen walking into the room.

Her lace dress hugs her chest tightly, billowing out. Like Overlord Farseth, she’s dressed finely for this time of night. Her brown hair is choppy at her chin, with a single braid holding it back to better reveal the thin, weblike veins that draw dark lines on the side of her face.

Esen’s green eyes meet mine for only a moment, as if to scold me for being here. She only holds my gaze for a fraction of a second before turning her attention to him.

A small smile curls on her lips, but it doesn’t reach her eyes as she pauses in the doorway. “Something wrong?”