He sighed softly and looked toward the gatehouse of Castle Rames. “For my father’s life.”
Ella scowled. “I don’t understand why you didn’t just stop looking?”
He looked at her in disbelief. “I already told you. I have my honor to uphold. I gave my word. It is my vow.”
She released his arm and lifted her chin. “I know the blue rose. I’ve heard of it.”
“You have?” His heart skipped a beat in his excitement. “Have you seen it? Do you know where it is?”
She shook her head. “No. My mother told me stories of a blue rose. She said it was magical and wonderful. She told me that wondrous things happened when it bloomed.”
“Is that why you started the gardens?”
“Yes. I wanted… I wanted to feel the magic and wonder of the flower. I thought that if I could see the blue rose bloom, if I could somehow grow it, that she would always be with me.” She looked down.
“Ella,” Graden whispered, drawn to her, wanting to comfort her.
“And then you killed Edwin.”
Graden froze. He closed his fingers which were reaching for her, shutting himself off.
“And I thought that if I could get the blue rose to bloom, he might…” She twisted her hands before her.
“Ella. I didn’t mean… I never meant to hurt you. It was an accident. A stupid accident. This rose that I am looking for will set me free. I have to find it.”
She scowled thoughtfully, and he moved toward his horse again. “I’m going with you,” she said.
Graden whirled on her. “Do you know where it is?”
“No.”
He turned to his horse, tying the bag of food to the saddle. “Then you are not coming.”
“I know some places it could be. There is an abandoned farmhouse on the outer border of our land and…”
“No,” he snapped. “You can’t come. I don’t want responsibility for you.”
She narrowed her eyes and signaled to a young boy emerging from the stables. “Bring me my mare.”
“I said no.” Graden mounted his steed.
Her jaw lifted in stubbornness. “Then I shall search for it on my own.”
He almost growled. “You can’t go by yourself, unprotected. Alone.” He silently cursed himself. He never should have told her. Maybe she felt sympathy for him. Maybe sorrow, but either way, if he had not told her about her brother, she would have continued to hate him, and it would have been better that way. It would have been simple to leave with her animosity toward him. “I don’t have time to protect you. I have to search for the rose.”
The stable boy was bringing a saddled mare out of the stables.
“Two sets of eyes will be better than one. I can help you.”
Too late. Too late. Graden ground his teeth, his hands tightening over the reins. “You have no food. No coin. You are not ready for a trip.”
She bent and whispered something to the stable boy. He hurried into the keep. She pulled herself up onto the mare and swung her leg over the side to sit full saddle.
Graden’s eyebrows rose in surprise. He hadn’t expected that. He expected her to sit side saddle like the ladies of the castle always did.
She spurred her horse. “I’m sure we’ll find something. Coming?” She cantered her horse toward the gatehouse and the outer ward.
Graden stared after her, shocked and dismayed. He was certain she would slow him down. He was certain she didn’t know what she was getting into. But she knew roses. She knew gardens. And with that thought came hope. Perhaps she would be of some help.
