Page 75 of Cruelest Kiss and Fairest Blood
Fresh pain stabs at my heart. She won’t be there. Her death is going to be impossible to accept.
Guilt overwhelms me. My poor father. He must be in shambles after losing his true love, and I just left. That was incredibly selfish. He loved my mother in a way that I’ve always dreamed of being loved. Their marriage was arranged, but lucky for them, the attraction was mutual. They fell head over heels for each other. Such a romantic feat is not often achieved these days. It’s part of the reason I was so devastated when I was promised to King Hoff. I knew if I married him, I would never get the love story I’ve dreamed of.
The mention of love turns my thoughts, unwantedly, toward Harrow. The anger and betrayal are still so fresh in my heart. Even worse, I sent him away when all I really wanted was for him to comfort me. I was cruel to him. Time away gave me space to replay his words. He doesn’t choose when people die. Which means her death may not have been his fault.
What an odd conversation I’m having with myself. Death is so very complicated.
My legs grow weary by the time the castle comes into view. The original trek was much faster on horseback. An unexpected crunching beneath my boots has my gaze turning toward my feet. How long have I been zoning out? Lowering myself, I brush my hand across the ground. It’s covered in stiff brown grass. Gone are the silky green ribbons that usually top this meadow. As I lift my gaze, disbelief blacks out my thoughts. It feels like the wind has been knocked from my lungs.
Everything is dead.
The trees lining the grounds, the rose vines climbing up the castle walls, and the wisteria blooms that should be raining down above the gates are all dead.
Grasping my skirts, I take off in a run. “Stay behind,” I call back to my animal friends. Something feels very, very wrong.
The guards call out as I approach, swiftly opening the front gate. I can’t hear their words. My ears have been filled with a piercing ringing. The gardens are gone. I move as swiftly as I can, making my way through the various green areas and floral works of art that have been around since before I was born. They’re all gone.
Every flower, shrub, tree, and petal has withered. A sea of decay fills my vision. What happened here? Is this all to do with my mother’s death? I need to find my father.
Passing through the barren courtyard, I stop in front of the large oak door that leads indoors. A massive bunch of driedvines has been twisted into an infinity symbol and nailed to the top of the door. It is a symbolic wreath crafted from local herbs and flowers. It should not be here. This specific shape and symbolism is used only for weddings.
I shove the doors open and am greeted by the sight of Gestin racing toward me. His armor clangs as he moves. “Princess. Praise the gods. We feared the worst. Are you hurt?” He eyes the dark stains on the front of my clothing.
“I am unharmed.”
He pulls me into an embrace. His touch is surprisingly out of character but so welcome. I wrap my arms around him. He may not be blood, but he’s family. “Where have you been?”
I pull back, scanning his dark eyes. “Why did you not search for me?”
A strained intensity passes over his furrowed brow. “We tried. Your father called off the search mere hours after it began.”
Hurt slices through me. “Why would he do that?”
Gestin lowers his voice. “A great many things have changed since you last stepped foot in the castle. Your father is married. As of last night, a new queen sits the throne.”
Shock and confusion muddle my thoughts. “What? Who?”
Gestin glances around before speaking. His caution sends uneasiness swirling through me. “A stranger. Beautiful but… mysterious. Your father announced their betrothal without warning.”
“But my mother—” My voice cracks. “The flowers have all died.”
Gestin nods. “A mass wilting occurred within hours of the marriage ceremony. It continues to spread throughout the kingdom.”
“I need to see my father.” I move away, but Gestin steps in my path.
“Caution is needed, Princess. Your father is not himself. Stay close to the guards.Mymen, not hers. Keep those you trust nearby.”
His warning amplifies my anxiety. Sweat coats my palms. A somber energy hovers over the castle halls. I need to get to my father. Surely there’s some rational explanation for this. If he can only explain, put my worries at ease, then maybe things will be alright.
The throne room doors fly open. Cassius rushes out. His tawny eyes grow wider than I’ve ever seen them at the sight of me. Shock stains his handsome features. I throw myself in his arms, allowing my dirty, bloodstained clothes to press up against his impeccable royal-blue and silver attire. Cassius’s warmth comforts me down to my marrow.
“I… Princess, I’m… What happened?” He peers down at me with such confusion. “I went back to the cottage and you were gone. We tried to find you, but your father commanded us all back to the castle for thecelebration. I’ve been unable to sleep, I’ve been so worried. I tried to sneak out last night but there are new guards, new rules.”
“What do you mean?”
Cassius ushers me to a darkened corner. “I fear it may no longer be safe for you here. Lenore”—the informality of my name on his lips is both comforting and concerning—“something is amiss. You should leave, go back to the cottage. I can meet you there.”
I hold a hand up to halt his words. “This is my home. There is no safer place.” Gestin’s warning flares to life in my mind. “Besides, I cannot just run away… again.”
