Rosalina
THE SETTING SUN DRIPS soft pink and red light throughout my room.
Marigold has put the staff to work. Maybe she really is as scary as Dayton implied. When I
returned from the hot springs, there were fresh flowers in painted vases, and they had removed the
furniture coverings to reveal a white vanity and wardrobe. She’d taken no time at all filling it with
beautiful gowns and dresses. The bed has fresh sheets with the faint smell of roses beneath the ever-
present aroma of cherry blossoms.
Marigold proceeded to feed me an early dinner. It couldn’t have been more than four o’clock, but
I’m always happy to eat. The soup was warm and comforting, and I hadn’t been able to keep from
laughing with my mouth full as Astrid and Marigold drilled me for every detail on my encounter with
Dayton.
Dayton, the Prince of Summer.
I’d been naked in the same water as a freaking fae prince. I think my cheeks are still red from it.
Especially when Marigold asked me to describe his abs in great detail. She’d probably have self-
combusted if I’d mentioned that perfect ass of his.
After I’d finished eating, Astrid and Marigold gathered my dishes but left a bowl of dried fruit and
nuts on the vanity in case I get hungry during the night. They opened the door to the ensuite privy and
showed me how to work the latrine—thank sweet baby Jesus the fae have indoor plumbing. Then they
bid me goodnight. “Remember, lovey,” Marigold had tutted, “don’t be leaving your room until
sunrise. That’s an order straight from the master.”
Rosalina
Marigold has put the staff to work. Maybe she really is as scary as Dayton implied. When I
returned from the hot springs, there were fresh flowers in painted vases, and they had removed the
furniture coverings to reveal a white vanity and wardrobe. She’d taken no time at all filling it with
beautiful gowns and dresses. The bed has fresh sheets with the faint smell of roses beneath the ever-
Marigold proceeded to feed me an early dinner. It couldn’t have been more than four o’clock, but
I’m always happy to eat. The soup was warm and comforting, and I hadn’t been able to keep from
laughing with my mouth full as Astrid and Marigold drilled me for every detail on my encounter with
I’d been naked in the same water as a freaking fae prince. I think my cheeks are still red from it.
Especially when Marigold asked me to describe his abs in great detail. She’d probably have self-
After I’d finished eating, Astrid and Marigold gathered my dishes but left a bowl of dried fruit and
nuts on the vanity in case I get hungry during the night. They opened the door to the ensuite privy and
showed me how to work the latrine—thank sweet baby Jesus the fae have indoor plumbing. Then they
bid me goodnight. “Remember, lovey,” Marigold had tutted, “don’t be leaving your room until
Now they’re gone, a surprising pang of loneliness washes over me. It’s so weird. I don’t get lonely.
I’m perfectly content in my little home waiting for Papa. But this place, while beautiful, is different.
And they didn’t leave me a single thing to do. Tomorrow, I will have to ask if there are any books in
the castle.
I grab my phone off the neatly folded remnants of my clothing. Of course, there’s no service, and
my battery is near dead. But I give myself one moment to look at a picture of Papa, then one of Lucas.
Despite the fact he abandoned me, I hope he made it home safely. He’d been so close to the rosebush
—he must have escaped. I flip through a couple more photos in my favorite album and linger on an
old, scanned photo of Mom and Papa in front of the willow tree. Her long brown hair is curled, and
she wears the moonstone rose locket around her neck, the one Papa never takes off. It’s one of the few
things we have left of her.
Suddenly, I wish he had something of mine as well.
After I give myself a moment of pity, I slam the phone into my bedside drawer, and am instantly
overcome with boredom. The sun hasn’t set yet, and I’m not tired. My body still feels worked up from
my hot springs encounter.
Dayton hadn’t given me any information about the man in the dungeon. Why can’t I get him out of
my head? If I knew what he’d done, why they locked him up...
Maybe he’s as eager to escape as I am. What if he knows the lands? Perhaps a way to get passed
the goblins? Something sparkles in my chest, an urgency driving me forward. I need to find the man
in the dungeon.
I’ve already changed into the pajamas Marigold gave me, a soft nightdress with pink flowers
embroidered at the bottom, so I grab a plain blue cloak from the wardrobe. Then I pull on my old
boots and head to the door.
What’s so wrong about leaving my room at night? I tug on the handle, and the door jiggles.
Locked.
Of course, it’s locked. I take a sweep of the room, looking for anything to pick the lock with.
There’s the rustle of the plants, and I turn to see a briar shifting, growing a little taller. One of its
thorns grows long and pointed—pointed like a lock pick.
That’s eerily convenient. But I’ve never been one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so I say a
pleasant thank you to the creepy vine and pluck the thorn. The point slides into the latch and I hear the
door click open instantly.
Now they’re gone, a surprising pang of loneliness washes over me. It’s so weird. I don’t get lonely.
I’m perfectly content in my little home waiting for Papa. But this place, while beautiful, is different.
And they didn’t leave me a single thing to do. Tomorrow, I will have to ask if there are any books in
I grab my phone off the neatly folded remnants of my clothing. Of course, there’s no service, and
my battery is near dead. But I give myself one moment to look at a picture of Papa, then one of Lucas.
Despite the fact he abandoned me, I hope he made it home safely. He’d been so close to the rosebush
—he must have escaped. I flip through a couple more photos in my favorite album and linger on an
old, scanned photo of Mom and Papa in front of the willow tree. Her long brown hair is curled, and
she wears the moonstone rose locket around her neck, the one Papa never takes off. It’s one of the few
After I give myself a moment of pity, I slam the phone into my bedside drawer, and am instantly
overcome with boredom. The sun hasn’t set yet, and I’m not tired. My body still feels worked up from
Dayton hadn’t given me any information about the man in the dungeon. Why can’t I get him out of
Maybe he’s as eager to escape as I am. What if he knows the lands? Perhaps a way to get passed
I need to find the man
I’ve already changed into the pajamas Marigold gave me, a soft nightdress with pink flowers
embroidered at the bottom, so I grab a plain blue cloak from the wardrobe. Then I pull on my old
Of course, it’s locked. I take a sweep of the room, looking for anything to pick the lock with.
There’s the rustle of the plants, and I turn to see a briar shifting, growing a little taller. One of its
But I’ve never been one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so I say a
pleasant thank you to the creepy vine and pluck the thorn. The point slides into the latch and I hear the
I nervously tuck the thorn into my hair and slowly step into the silent halls. Where is everyone?
have no plan, only a powerful urge in my gut to speak to this fae. It feels important.
The route Ezryn took as he dragged me by my scarf comes back to me, and I emerge into the main
foyer. Down the stairs is the front door and that strange mirror.
This room is empty too. Does everyone turn in early?
From the entrance hall, I follow the same path up the staircase to the dungeon in the tower,
carefully weaving around the thorns as not to poke myself on them.
The damp air sliding over my wet hair sends a shiver down my spine. No torches have been lit,
and I make my way by the dying red light of the sun that filters in through the open barred windows.
The circling stairs end, and I come to the cells.
My heart stutters. There he is.
But he’s lying down, eyes closed. A surge of dread consumes me until I see the soft rise and fall of
his chest. Just asleep.
He’s still shirtless and wearing nothing but plain brown pants. “Hey,” I whisper through the bars.
He doesn’t stir. There doesn’t seem to be anyone else here, but this is where that big icy brute snuck
up on me last time, so I don’t want to speak too loudly.
Instead, I pull the long thorn from my ponytail and try it in the lock. Within a few moments of
fiddling around, it clicks open. Without a sound, I lower it to the ground and push open the barred
door.
I crouch beside the man. His hands are free, but the large metal collar is around his neck, attached
by a chain to the stone wall.
Something feral sparks inside me, seeing him shackled like this. Immediately, I lift it off his neck,
though I’m not sure what good it was doing. It was much too big for him, and he could have easily
slipped out of it himself.
Gently, I shake his shoulder. “Hey, wake up.”
Slowly, he lifts himself up, floppy strands of auburn hair falling across his brow and revealing the
sharp point of his ears. Dayton had asked me if he was handsome, and while that is certainty true,
there is something more. An enchanting sort of beauty.
“You,” his voice rasps.
“I’ve come to rescue you,” I tell him.
“Rescue me?” he asks sleepily. Then his face shifts into a mask of horror. He clasps wildly at his
neck, then looks down at the collar on the floor. “What have you done?”
Where is everyone? I
The route Ezryn took as he dragged me by my scarf comes back to me, and I emerge into the main
From the entrance hall, I follow the same path up the staircase to the dungeon in the tower,
The damp air sliding over my wet hair sends a shiver down my spine. No torches have been lit,
But he’s lying down, eyes closed. A surge of dread consumes me until I see the soft rise and fall of
He’s still shirtless and wearing nothing but plain brown pants. “Hey,” I whisper through the bars.
He doesn’t stir. There doesn’t seem to be anyone else here, but this is where that big icy brute snuck
Instead, I pull the long thorn from my ponytail and try it in the lock. Within a few moments of
fiddling around, it clicks open. Without a sound, I lower it to the ground and push open the barred
I crouch beside the man. His hands are free, but the large metal collar is around his neck, attached
Something feral sparks inside me, seeing him shackled like this. Immediately, I lift it off his neck,
though I’m not sure what good it was doing. It was much too big for him, and he could have easily
Slowly, he lifts himself up, floppy strands of auburn hair falling across his brow and revealing the
sharp point of his ears. Dayton had asked me if he was handsome, and while that is certainty true,
“Rescue me?” he asks sleepily. Then his face shifts into a mask of horror. He clasps wildly at his
“I let you go.” I gesture at the open cell door.
If taking the collar off had been the worst thing in the entire world, the open cell door is the end of
all things.
“Oh no...” He turns to the cell window as the last of the red dusk dips beyond the horizon, plunging
us into complete darkness. His golden eyes pierce mine as he chokes out, “You need to run.”