Page 19 of Blood & Roses

“Perhaps,” Rowan said, his eyes gleaming as he took me in with an expression that veered on hunger. I swallowed, self-consciously patting my thighs as Sera handed me a cloak.

“Are you sure I shouldn’t come with you?” she asked, her voice sweet in a way that meant she was irritated at being left behind. Calli had already stormed upstairs in annoyance at my unmoving declaration that she stay behind, and the flurries of snow batteringthe windows were likely her revenge. “Clearly, the queen has some illusion magic you should be wary of. I can help.”

“Sera,” I began with a sigh as Lena handed me the pack.

“I need you to protect my brother,” Rowan interrupted, putting a heavy hand on Sera’s shoulder and making her start with surprise. “You know what’s happened to him. Better even than I. I would beg you, Seraphina, to stay with him.”

Sera flushed, and I raised my brow at Rowan, who continued looking imploringly at my sister.

“Very well,” she sighed, pursing her lips in annoyance. “But if you’re not back in a week, I’m coming after you.”

“It should be five days at the most,” I said, glancing at Rowan, who nodded in confirmation. I estimated two days to the Elandorean capital and back, with one day in the middle to complete my mission.

“Please be safe,” Lena said, embracing me. “Don’t take unnecessary risks.”

“Be careful,” Mora agreed. She bent close and whispered in my ear, “He’ll keep you safe.”

I pulled back, frowning at my younger sister, who gave Rowan a knowing smirk and moved to stand next to her twin.

“I vow it,” Rowan said as if he had heard exactly what Mora had said. “Isolde will be safe with me.”

“She’d better be,” Lena said, her voice as close to a growl as it ever got as she hugged Rowan. I shouldn’t have been surprised atthe gesture. Lena was the most open and loving of us all and had also been the first to embrace Orson into our family. But Rowan’s ease at her embrace irritated me for some reason.

She pulled back, sniffling. “You’re not the first whose dreams I’ve threatened to haunt.”

“I believe it,” Rowan said kindly, squeezing her shoulder once. “I’ll bring her back safe.”

“I can take care of myself quite well, thank you all so much,” I said, bristling at the sentimentality. “Orson and Lis will be here by sundown.” I turned to my sisters, pinning them with a collective glare. “Do not go into Mysthaven, do not attract attention to the cottage, and above all else, donotfollow us.”

“Unless it’s been more than five days,” Sera chirped, looking solemn.

“Or you send word that you’re in trouble,” Mora added.

“Gah,” I threw up my hands as Lena smiled fondly at the twins. “Let’s go.”

I grabbed Rowan’s hand and dragged him out of the cottage, my sisters gathering to see us off. A hoot above us told me Owl was there, and I raised a brow at Rowan.

“Your brother-in-law insisted,” he said apologetically, nodding to the snowy owl perched above us. “It was take the owl or takehim.”

“Busybodies, all of you,” I grumbled, scowling at the bird. “You’d better stay out of sight.”

Owl hooted once, then flapped up into the gray afternoon sky.

“Are you sure about this?” Rowan asked as I strapped the pack across my back. “You could send us on our way. Keep your sisters safe.”

“It’s too late for that,” I said, meeting his steady green gaze. “Whether I want to or not, we’re involved now. And I don’t intend to let a murderous queen anywhere near my younger sisters.”

Rowan nodded, smirking slightly. “I would expect no less from Isolde Nightshade.”

The next moment he was a stag again, body powerful and huge as he bent to let me climb atop his back.

“You’d better not give me fleas,” I grumbled, settling myself behind his neck.

Rowan chuffed in amusement once before galloping off into the snow.

Chapter 10

We rode southwest toward Fairwinds, the only major human-elven city on the border between the Elflands and the human kingdom of Stalheim. Rowan believed he could make it in less than a day as long as he kept up a steady run, and the elven kingdom of Elandor was another day west of the city. We planned to stay there tonight, then travel properly into Elandorthe next day.