And I felt that same honor the day I was old enough to bear my own helmet. Not since, has another soul gazed upon my face.
But my love for my realm? My duty? Did the Enchantress steal that from me as well?
I’ve tried to help in what ways I could, protecting the Briar and patrolling Spring’s borders.
It hasn’t been enough. Spring is suffering.
And it’s my fault.
At least my brother had the courage to do something about it.
I bow my helm until it rests against my father’s. “Tell me what to do.” There’s a shake to my voice. “I must deliver punishment to Kairyn. Do I imprison him? Execute him? Take his helm?”
The only answer is my father’s rattling breath.
I squeeze my eyes shut. “How did our family become so broken?”
But I know the answer.
I’m the one who broke it.
21
Rosalina
I awaken to a soft knock on my door. Sitting up, I stretch and call, “Coming!”
That was an insanely good sleep. Maybe it’s because the room I’ve been given in Keep Hammergarden is so similar to my room back home. The pastel décor, the blooming flowers in vases, and the canopied bed, could be straight out of the Spring Wing. The only thing that’s different is the walls are made of the mountain’s stone and not the bark of Castletree.
I snag a cream-colored robe off the armchair to cover my thin nightgown. Despite our strange welcome, Ezryn ensured Dayton, Astrid, and I were set up with food and lavish quarters. I know he took care to place us in private spaces where no one would find us during the night.
The warm face of Eldy, the keep’s majordomo, greets me as I open the door. The older looking fae man has gray hair that curls only under his ears and a goatee streaked with white. He carries a tray brimming with pastries, fruit, and a floral-painted teapot.
“Good morning, Lady Rosalina. I do hope I didn’t wake you. I wanted to bring you some breakfast while it was freshly made from the kitchen.”
“You’re so kind! Come in.” I open the door wider when I hear a strangled, gasping sound.
Down the hallway, Marigold pushes a trolley, a betrayed look across her face. “Excuse me, Eldor, but Lady Rosalina is my charge. I won’t have her drinking that watered down leaf juice you call tea.”
She uses her trolley as a battering ram to shove Eldy out of the way so she can get into my room. “Come in,” I say meekly.
“This leaf juice is the realm’s finest lavender tea, steeped at a precise temperature so as to bring out the floral notes.” Eldy sniffs and raises his nose in the air. “I highly doubt Lady Rosalina would prefer the boiled mud water you always serve.”
Oh boy. It’s too early for this.
Marigold’s face turns a concerning shade of red. “At least my tea has taste.”
“Unlike its maker,” Eldy shoots back.
Thankfully, I notice Astrid poking her head around the corner, white hair a mess and dressed in only a simple white shift. I gesture her in, and we sit down on the edge of the bed. She places her head on my shoulder.
“I figured you’d be well taken care of, so I didn’t even bother to check on breakfast,” Astrid says.
I smile. “You should use this time as a vacation. I think we’re going to need it with these two.”
Eldy and Marigold seem to have forgotten Astrid and I are even here. They stand inches apart, her finger jammed into his chest, his eyes glowering down.
“Take your stale muffins and begone! Rosalina is more than cared for!” Marigold snaps.
“Prince Ezryn specifically requested that I make sure Rosalina’s every need is tended to! I could never go against his wishes,” Eldy retorts.
“Oh, yes, you could never disappoint His Highness, but you have no worries about disappointing others.”
“You’re the disappointment—”
Quickly, I stand and step between them. “Thank you both so much for bringing me breakfast. It looks delectable. And I can drink two pots of tea, no problem! But I’m more than capable of feeding myself and I’m sure you both have more important things to do than watch me eat.”
Marigold narrows her eyes at Eldy. “This place has fallen apart since I was last here. Your staff are wandering in circles, useless without directions! Time for someone to whip them into shape.”
Eldy’s words come out through gritted teeth, “I have been doing the best I can.”
Astrid flops on the bed. “I saw Prince Ezryn wandering the halls on my way here, saying something about needing a cup of coffee.”