Page 42 of Cursed Crowns

“Not yet.” Alarik snapped his fingers, and a pair of stern-faced soldiers stepped out of the shadows. “Take her away. You’ll have my answer by nightfall.”

Wren was hauled out of the throne room, no longer a queen of her own country but a prisoner of another.

16

Rose

Before they set off in earnest, Rose insisted on stopping in the town of Bridge End to write two hasty letters.

The first, to Thea, back at Anadawn. And the other, to Chapman, who was probably still on the road in Ellendale. Rose didn’t include any details, only word that she was safe, and that they were not to come after her. She would be back soon. It was not lost on her that she was sending the very same sort of infuriating letter that Wren had left on her pillow. And so, Rose’s resentment toward her sister softened, if only a little.

Rose hid with Kai and the horses while Shen tied the first letter to a carrier pigeon he had liberated from the local postal house, and entrusted the other to a young courier, paying the girl a full gold coin to ride back toward Ellendale, in search of the royal retinue.

With the letters safely dispatched, Shen slipped into a nearby boarding house to pilfer a satchel, which he stuffed with a homespun servant’s dress, a pair of shoes, a hairbrush and a nightgown, as well as some food for the journey. Blushing furiously, Rose changed into the dress behind a tree on the outskirts of town, while Shen and Kai watched the crossroads for passersby.

With great reluctance, Rose removed her crown. “What should we do with this? I can hardly take it with me. It’s far too conspicuous.”

“Give it here, Queenie. I have an idea.” Rose watched in abject horror as Kai flung her crown into the river. “Some lucky trout is about to become very rich.”

Shen glared at his cousin. “What is wrong with you?”

“The design was poor,” said Kai with a snort. “You’ll see true craftsmanship when we reach the Sunkissed Kingdom. There are rubies there as big as my head.”

“Hopefully they’re not as hollow,” said Rose as she prodded him in the chest. “You owe me a crown, Kai Lo.”

After Bridge End, they rode south, only stopping for a brief snack of sourdough bread smothered with cheese and chutney. Rose noticed Shen sneaking glances at Kai as they ate, as if he was afraid that if he lost sight of his cousin, he might disappear again. Her heart ached for him, and for everything she knew he wanted to ask Kai about the Sunkissed Kindgom, his home, his past.

Late that evening, they came to a small town. “Perhaps we can stay here for the night. They must have an inn of some sort.” She slid off Storm and dusted her skirts off, leading the way. “Come.”

“Careful. This might be an Arrow stronghold.” Shen nodded at the domed building at the entrance to the town. “They have a Vault.”

“Almost every town in Eana has a Vault. That doesn’t mean anything,” said Rose, just as the door swung open and three men stumbled out. The old man in front was holding a lantern, and the two behind him were younger. They looked like brothers. One had long black hair and an unruly beard, while the other was nearly bald.

“What are you three gawking at?” said the bearded brother, his hand going to the knife at his waist.

“I wouldn’t do that if I was you,” warned Kai.

“Pardon us,” Rose cut in deftly. “We’re merely a troupe of traveling musicians passing through your darling little town.”

“You talk awful fancy,” said the other brother suspiciously.

“Thank you,” said Rose, subtly fixing her hood. “I had elocution lessons as a child.”

“Sing us a song,” slurred the old man, stumbling as he came down the steps. “Do you know ‘Tell the Wolves I’m Coming’?”

The bearded one circled Storm. “I’d bet my best belt that’s a desert horse.” He reached out to touch her, but Shen reacted lightning fast, slapping his hand away. Beard moved in front of Storm, blocking their way. “Tell me, traveler. Do you shoot the arrow straight and true?”

Shen didn’t even blink. “I’m an excellent archer if that’s what you mean.”

“It’s not,” he said, raising his palm to reveal the raised inking of an arrow. “Are you telling me you’ve never come across our kind on your travels?”

“No,” said Shen tersely. “Please move out of our way.”

Beard bent down and picked up a rock. Without warning, he flung it straight at Rose.

Shen reacted in a blur, one hand braced on his horse as he kicked it away. It whizzed through the air and embedded in the Vault door. He bit off a curse, but it was too late.

“Witches,” sneered Bald. “I could smell ’em.”