Chapter Ten: Rose

Rose and the bandit rode long into the darkening night. The sand went on and on and on, swallowing the horizon. The sky was a velvet tapestry, melting from purple, to indigo, and finally an inky black. The stars came out in full splendour, each one shining brighter than the last as though they were trying to outdo each other.

‘Beautiful, isn’t it?’ said Shen, close to her ear. ‘I bet you never knew the desert could look like this.’

‘I suppose it is nice,’ Rose conceded. ‘If you like this kind of thing.’

He laughed, and Rose was perturbed by how familiar the sound had become … by how pleasant she was starting to find it. She shifted in her seat, trying to put some space between them. A breeze stirred the end of her cloak and the faint smell of seawater tickled her nose. ‘Who does this cloak belong to anyway?’

A friend,’ said Shen. Then he paused. A friend who wanted you to have it.’

‘Sounds like a loyal subject,’ said Rose, drawing the cloak tighter.

Shen snorted. ‘Something like that.’

Riding at night was infinitely more pleasant than riding by day. The cool air kissed Rose’s cheeks, the crescent moon grinning over her as if it knew a secret and wasn’t telling. Shen hummed as they rode, and even though Rose would never admit it out loud, it was rather a pleasant sound.

And, cheering her even more, in the far distance she could soon make out the moon-shadow of the Mishnick Mountains. They were still impossibly far away but the sight of them bolstered her confidence that they might soon come upon other signs of civilization – a town or village, perhaps.

She clutched the locket around her neck. I’ll be back to you soon, my sweet Ansel.

By now, she’d already missed their second date. The poor prince must be going out of his mind with worry! Guilt sluiced through her at the thought of how empty Ansel’s days at Anadawn would now become after he had journeyed so far to spend time with her. She wondered if he had joined the search party and was trawling through the Eana countryside at this very moment, looking for her. The thought brought a secret smile to Rose’s face.

‘What is that?’ said Shen, leaning over her shoulder. ‘That thing you keep playing with?’

Rose closed her fist around the locket. The encrusted diamond snowflakes dug into her palm. ‘It’s a gift from my beloved, if you must know. He designed it himself and brought it all the way from Grinstad for me.’

‘Can I see it?’

‘Of course not. This locket is worth more than any trinket you have ever stolen.’

Shen clucked his tongue. ‘Rude of you to assume I’m a thief.’

‘Considering you have stolen me, it is a fair statement.’ Rose exhaled loudly. Are you always this insufferable?’

‘Depends who you ask.’ Before Rose even realized what was happening, Shen had slipped the locket off her neck. He held it up to the moon, starlight catching in its diamond snowflakes, then let out a low whistle. ‘This does look expensive.’

‘Give it back!’ Rose twisted in her seat, swiping desperately at the locket. ‘That’s mine!’

Shen dangled it out of reach. ‘Careful, Princess. All that wriggling might make you fall off.’

‘I order you to return my locket!’ fumed Rose.

To Rose’s alarm, he began to pry the locket open. ‘Now what has your Prince Charming left for you in here? A portrait of himself? A vow of eternal love?’

‘Don’t you dare open that!’

The locket popped open in Shen’s palm, revealing a ribbon of blond hair. ‘Stars above, Princess. Don’t tell me that’s what I think it is …’

Rose lunged for the locket but he whipped it away. A rogue breeze curled around the hair and lifted it into the air.

‘No! My love!’ Rose leaped off the horse, her feet sinking in the sand as she desperately chased after it. The locket itself was a thing of beauty, but the gift of Ansel’s hair held far more value. It felt like a promise between them – a promise she was now breaking.

Shen’s laughter floated after her. ‘That isn’t your love, Princess. That’s … hair.’

‘It’s all I have of Ansel!’ cried Rose. ‘Perhaps all I’ll ever have of him if I never get home!’

Shen fell silent on his horse. He watched her leap around the sand until the golden hair blew off into the desert night. ‘Watch your heart rate. You don’t want to attract another blood beetle.’

Rose whirled towards him, her words coming through gritted teeth. ‘What I want is to go home.’

‘Just get back on the horse before you hurt yourself,’ said Shen. ‘I’m sorry about your beloved’s hair. These desert winds have a mind of their own.’ His lips twitched. And here. You may have your precious locket back. Lucky for you, it’s not to my taste.’

He dangled it above her.

Rose snatched it back. She sighed as she settled the locket around her neck, then she swung up on to Storm’s back and landed neatly in front of Shen.

The faster we get through this desert, the sooner I can escape.

And besides, Ansel had an entire crop of beautiful wheat-blond hair. He could surely cut another lock for her when she returned to Anadawn.

They rode on in silence.

‘I’m sorry about taking your locket,’ said Shen, after a while. ‘It wasn’t my finest moment.’

Rose stared resolutely ahead. ‘Why don’t I believe you?’

‘I want to make it up to you.’

‘Then take me back to Anadawn.’

‘We both know I can’t do that. But I can take you somewhere else you might like.’

Rose perked up. This new destination might have people. She might finally have a real chance at escaping. ‘I’m listening …’

‘We’re almost there.’ Shen guided Storm through two rippling sand dunes and Rose realized with sinking disappointment that ‘somewhere else’ simply meant ‘somewhere in the desert’.

Between the shifting dunes was an unexpected oasis – a mass of desert shrubs and towering cacti covered in small white flowers. And just beyond it, a glittering black pool.

Shen hopped off Storm, waiting for her to follow. ‘Be careful of the thorns.’

‘My name is Rose,’ said Rose, wryly. ‘I know my way around thorns.’ And wanting to see that shimmering pool up close, she slipped off the horse and followed Shen as he weaved his way through the prickly shrubs.

The pool sparkled like diamonds, reflecting the night sky. Wisps of steam curled up from the water, beckoning her closer. Rose grinned, seized by an unexpected giddiness as she reached the edge. She had found a hidden treasure in the desert, a place she could never have imagined back at Anadawn. She leaned forward, trying to catch a glimpse of her reflection.

‘This is Balor’s Eye. It’s a natural hot spring.’ As with everything in the Ganyeve Desert, the bandit sounded momentously proud of it. ‘In all of Eana, there are only a handful of people who know it exists.’

And now I am one of them, thought Rose, proudly.

For I am Eana, and Eana is me.

‘It is quite something,’ she admitted.

‘Just wait until we’re in it.’

Rose came abruptly to her senses. ‘I’m not getting in there with you!’ she spluttered. ‘That is … I mean, what … Who do you think … I would never. I’m engaged!’

‘Calm down, Princess. I’m not trying to besmirch your reputation. I’ll sit on the other side of the spring.’ Shen gestured at her sand-mussed nightgown and matted hair. ‘Unless you’d prefer to go on looking like a dirty desert rat.’

He began to strip off his shirt.

Rose’s eyes widened, then she quickly snapped them shut. Surely the first shirtless man she was meant to see was her husband. But for some reason, in her mind’s eye she couldn’t imagine Ansel in anything but a fashionable doublet, or perhaps an exquisitely tailored frock coat.

‘I always stop here when I cross the desert. It relaxes my muscles after riding for hours on end,’ Shen went on, casually, as if they were simply talking about the weather and he wasn’t currently shirtless. Rose peeked out of one eye and quickly shut it again.

Make that nearly naked.

He was only in his undergarments. Burning stars!

‘You can look now.’ Shen’s voice was suddenly distant. Rose opened her eyes to find him soaking on the far side of the hot spring, his head tipped back and arms spread wide. He looked obscenely comfortable.

‘Well, you enjoy it,’ she called out. ‘I’m fine. More than fine. I’m great. I’ll go and wait with Storm.’ She gripped her locket as she turned.

‘Suit yourself,’ said Shen, settling deeper into the steam.

Rose took a step away, and then paused. ‘I am … rather dirty.’

‘You are.’

‘And sore.’ She sighed. ‘I would really quite like a bath.’ Surely Ansel would appreciate the importance of good hygiene. He was impeccably kept, after all. And a princess should always be clean. He would understand that. She was Rose Valhart, the famed beauty of Eana, for goodness’ sake! It simply wouldn’t do for her to traipse across the country looking like a bedraggled desert rat, captive or not. Especially if she was hoping to be rescued sometime soon. She couldn’t let her subjects see her in this sorry state. They might not even recognize her!

Her mind made up, Rose dipped a toe in. Oh! It was so warm! ‘How deep is it?’ She flushed. ‘I can’t swim.’

‘As deep as your trust in me,’ said Shen.

‘It wouldn’t come up to my ankles if that was the truth.’

Shen chuckled. ‘You’ll be able to stand.’ When Rose still hesitated, his expression softened. ‘There’s no shame in not knowing how to do something, Princess.’

She looked longingly at the steaming water. She was filthier than she’d ever been in her life and sorer than she ever imagined possible. And it wasn’t as if anyone would ever find out … ‘Close your eyes. And turn around. I mean it!’

She was surprised when Shen did as she asked. With a deep breath, Rose shed her cloak and then her nightgown. Beneath it she wore a pink chemise, and her delicate underthings. Last, she took off her locket and laid it gently on a rock. Oh, Ansel, forgive me.

Rose stepped into the hot spring, inhaling sharply as the water lapped against her skin. She settled into the warmth, making sure to tug her chemise down. She sighed in pleasure.

Shen cleared his throat.

‘You may turn around now. But stay on your side,’ said Rose.

Shen resettled himself with a grin. ‘I’ve got to admit, I never thought I’d be bathing with a princess.’

‘We aren’t bathing together. We’re sharing space. I am allowing you to remain in my presence.’

Shen turned his gaze on the stars. ‘Whatever you say, Princess.’

Rose let herself relax, sinking until the water was almost up to her chin. Then she tilted her head back, her hair floating around her like a halo as she looked up at the stars. They calmed her pounding heart.

For a long time, the only sound was the occasional whisper of the sands and the water lapping against the stones. With only the sky as her witness, and as desperate as she was to return home, Rose could admit to herself that sitting in this steaming hot spring in the middle of the night was, in fact, quite nice. Even with a desert bandit for company. And while she’d never say it out loud to him, it really was the best bath she’d ever had. Even better than the ones Agnes drew at Anadawn, with mountains of bubbles and perfumed soaps.

Anadawn. Not for the first time, Rose wondered what was happening in her absence. The palace must be in uproar. Perhaps all of Eshlinn, too. Her soldiers would be riding all day and all night to find her. Perhaps the Kingsbreath was riding with them, so consumed by worry that he wouldn’t dare stop to rest until he found her.

Unless …

Rose tried to push the other thought away but it was already burrowing in. She knew how much appearances meant to Willem. Reputation was everything, and Rose’s and Eana’s went hand in hand. He wouldn’t want their arrangement with Gevra to fall apart. If King Alarik got word of the missing princess, he might whisk his brother Ansel back home, and look for a more secure nation to ally with. The Kingsbreath was a clever strategist. He would likely do everything he could to keep this quiet, publicly holding court back at the palace, while sending out the best Anadawn soldiers to find Rose in secret. Perhaps, then, Ansel did not even know she was gone. Perhaps he thought she had taken ill and was hiding in her tower!

But some people would certainly notice her absence. Celeste would never fall for such a ruse. And Cam and the rest of the cooks would miss her visits. And then there was Agnes. Her beloved maidservant would start asking questions soon, and then she would worry herself into a tizzy. They all would.

Rose had to get back.

And yet … As much as she hated to admit it, a small part of her was enjoying the adventure of being out of Eshlinn, of exploring parts of Eana she had never seen … Places she might never have known.

Sometimes, in the quiet of the palace, when Rose felt the strands of her destiny tightening around her, she thought she might suffocate. There was something about the desert air – and this hot spring – that felt almost like an antidote. It soothed a part of her she didn’t know was ill.

Anyway, it wasn’t the worst thing for her to see more of Eana, the country she claimed as her own. If nothing else, this kidnapping was proving to be educational. And who could argue with the merits of—

There was a loud splash across the pool. Rose snapped her chin down to find Shen suddenly on his feet, water sluicing off his shoulders as he bent over. He was swearing softly, and his hands were pressed against his thigh, where the blood beetle had slashed him with its pincer.

The cut looked severe. Rose could tell, even by the light of the moon. And worse, it was still oozing blood.

‘You’re hurt!’ she cried.

Shen groaned. ‘I thought the water would help but it’s getting worse.’

Rose had never touched a man’s leg before – she’d never even seen a man’s bare leg for stars’ sake – but he was clearly in agony, and the sight of all that blood stirred something deep and primal inside her. She wanted to help him. She suddenly had to help him, the urge so strong it sent her wading across the pool. ‘Let me look.’

Before she knew it, she had knelt in the water and began gently pressing her fingers around the edges of the cut. It was deep and angry, and starting to pus. Oh, stars! What was she supposed to do now?

Suddenly, her fingertips began to prickle.

Shen opened his mouth to say something, then blinked in surprise. He pressed his hand down on hers. ‘Don’t move,’ he said, gruffly. ‘That’s helping.’

Rose left her hand where it was. Her breathing slowed, and she felt a faint pulling inside her. Stars twinkled at the sides of her vision until she thought, for a horrifying moment, she was going to pass out. She gasped as the prickling sensation in her fingers intensified and then, as suddenly as it had begun, it stopped.

‘Ah.’ Shen let out a long, relieved sigh. He lifted his hand.

Rose pulled her fingers away from his leg. She blinked, twice, then leaped to her feet.

The wound was gone!

The skin had stitched itself back together, leaving behind a light brown line.

She staggered backwards. ‘You … you did that. It’s witch magic! You’re a witch!’

Shen’s eyes were wide, the word soundless on his lips: No.

‘Yes,’ heaved Rose. ‘You did it! I saw you do it!’

Shen shook his head, as though he couldn’t quite believe it. ‘You did that.’ There was a beat of silence, Rose’s heart pounding so hard she couldn’t think straight. Couldn’t see straight. And then Shen said the worst five words she had ever heard in her life.

‘Rose, you’re a healer witch.’

‘Liar! Take that back!’ Panic clawed up her throat, choking her. ‘I’m not any kind of witch! I’m not a witch at all!’

A witch, a witch, a witch.

Shen only stared at her.

‘It couldn’t have been me! It’s not possible!’ Rose’s fear of the witches burned through her body, even as she remembered the tingling in her fingers, the fierce way she had wanted, almost willed, the wound to heal …

She blew out a steadied breath. No, she was not a witch at all. It was Valhart blood that ran in her veins. Blood blessed by the Great Protector.

Rose was blessed by the Protector.

‘I’m not a witch,’ she repeated, sensibly. ‘I would know if I were a witch.’ She stared down at her traitorous fingers. She was still light-headed. It was the hot water. And maybe the sight of the blood. ‘You are the witch.’

Shen shrugged. ‘Well, you’re not wrong.’

Rose began to tremble. Even as she’d thrown the accusation out, she hadn’t expected he’d admit to it so plainly.

‘But I’m not the only witch in this pool. And I’m definitely not a healer,’ he went on. ‘I didn’t think I’d be the one to tell you, but you, Rose of Eana, are most certainly a witch.’ He ran a finger along his thigh, tracing the faint pink scar. And an impressive one by the looks of it.’

Rose promptly fainted.

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