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Chapter 26
Leven gasped and nudged me in the arm as another rose blossomed before our eyes. Red petals unraveled outward, springing from the bud’s green casing and spreading itswings.
“I could never tire of watching them grow. Beautiful. I remember Dad used to spend hours in the greenhouse pruning the roses,” Levensaid.
The candles on shelves around the greenhouse threw shadows about while outside night had settled over the landscape. Strangely, the rest of the day had flown past without a single incident of me or the princes’ transforming. I’d researched the books for backup spells with no luck. It almost felt as if the universe had given us our last day of reprieve before snuffing away our lives. Still, my pulse was a ragingbull.
Last I saw, the other men were moving a huge porcelain tub from inside the house to the backyard as we had to be outside for moon magic. It was a bath that could easily fit all five us, and if I had known such a large tub existed, I would have taken a dip on my first night at thecastle.
Leven’s fingers intertwined with mine, his thumb caressing the back of my hand. “So what now?” Despite his stature and half-smile, I heard the quiver beneath his words. No one had spoken about their fear, but it lingered at the forefront of my mind. I could tell because of how everyone stared off into the distance now and then while they ran around to keep busy. What was lacking were the jokes andlaughter.
“We make a paste out of half the roses. The rest we need to leave whole,” Iexplained.
Without a word, Leven started dividing the pots at our feet between us. I crouched and gently pulled the delicate red petals free, placing them in my bowl. By the time we’d finished, I’d crushed mine into paste. Leven and I grabbed everything, and we traipsedoutside.
A dusting of snowflakes fell from the heavens, and the cold closed in around me. I trembled. Overhead, a heavily pregnant moon scaled the sky, glorious and with a silverytinge.
A light tingle wriggled down my arms, and on cue, the goddesses’ warning shivered down my spine.I’m well aware of the danger headed my way, Goddess. If there was ever a time for your intervention, it’s now. And if you do, I promise to never pester you again with inconsequential things like finding the right date for the town ball or helping Dad sell aninvention.
I hiccupped my next breath.I’m not ready to die or be replaced byLilita.
By the time we reached the rear of the castle, we stood on an open balcony, staring out over a snow-covered maze made of oversize hedges. I’d always dreamed of entering one of these—and there were so many other things I wanted to experience in life. Travel the world. Earn enough money to let Dad focus on his inventions in peace. Find a man or four who loved me for who I was. And, Goddess, as I face my mortality, I’ve come to the realization that I do want children, to grow old, and enjoy life. To stop hiding behind fear. So, just saying… any help would beappreciated.
Leven and I took our time down the steps to avoid slipping on the slick surface and set our bowls next to the huge porcelain tub. Long and wide enough to fit all five of us and easily reached my waist. This was more of a pool than a bath. Wooden steps rested against one side offered an easy way to get into the water. A fire burned on either side of the tub and warmed up the bath. Steam curled upward from the glimmering surface, and the snow falling inside melted in aninstant.
Leven cuddled up against my back, his arms wrapped around my stomach. I leaned against him, and my words fell out, as if I had no control of them. “I’m scared of losing all of you, of never seeing my dad again, of unleashing Lilita onto theworld.”
His cheek grazed the side of mine, our breaths floating in front of us. “Don’t think like that. We will succeed. Grab hold of that and let your ability shine.” That time, his voice strengthened, and it filled me withpower.
I turned toward him, desperate to accept his words, to empty my mind of worries. “You’re right.” Mom hadn’t raised me to fall apart. She’d told me to face the world without hesitation, do anything I wanted. I had to believe in myself and harness myconfidence.
Lifting my chin, I met Leven’s mouth. Our lips pressed together, bonding, reminding me how much all four princes had affected me since first arriving in WhitePeak.
“Hey, what about me?” Raze teased. When I twisted my head left, he rushed closer with arms open and hugged Leven and me. “We’ve got this. Nothing will get in ourway.”
The crunch of snow came from my right. Ash smirked and strolled over, then joined our huddle. The men’s warmth flooded me. “This isn’t the end,” Levenadded.
“Talin,” Ash howled. “Get over here. Grouphug.”
Before I could turn, Talin stood behind me, his body glued to mine. They crowded around me, showering me in their heat, their scents, theirlove.
“Bee, you burst into our lives like a storm,” Talin began. “But now I can’t imagine not having you by our sides. If my brothers and I don’t make it out of this, I’ve prepared and signed a decree that makes you the sole owner of our castle and all belongings. You won’t have any authority to rule over White Peak, but I am giving you everything we own so you and your father will never endure hardshipagain.”
His words weren’t sinking in at first and they twirled through my head. “What are you talking about?” I turned to face him amid the closed in walls of four bear shifters. “I willnotlet any of youdie.”
Talin kissed my mouth, soft and endearing, his hand against my cheek, shaking. “It’s a precaution, sweetie. There are no guarantees in life, but if anyone has a stronger chance of surviving tonight, it’s you. And I want to leave you something to remember usby.”
Rage pumped through my veins, loathing his words because with them came defeat. And if I lost all four princes, how I could ever walk the halls of the castle without remembering our adventures, or enjoy a meal in the kitchen without recalling their laughter andjokes?
“No.” I pushed my way out of the group, and tears pricked the corners of my eyes. “Don’t you get it? If I lose any of you, and by some miracle I survive, part of me will die tonight. I’d never be able to step foot in the castleagain.”
Talin stretched an arm out in my direction. “We just want to rest easy knowing… Knowing you’ll beokay.”
“We want to provide for you,” Razeadded.
Leven pushed his hair off his face, and I adored the way his eyes melted when he looked at me. “Sugarplum, don’t you understand? We’ve all fallen so hard foryou.”
My heart shattered into pieces. They were offering me security in case they lost their fight, and they were smiling, while inside I was falling apart. Tears drenched my cheeks. I wanted to scream, run—anything to stop what might come our way, but I knew it was fruitless. I clenched my hands so hard, my nails dug into mypalms.
