Rose of the Fae (Rose of Destiny Book 1), page 1
Rose of the Fae
ROSE OF DESTINY TRILOGY
BOOK ONE
BRITTANY FICHTER
To Shari
For going ride or die on this book with me and letting me talk plot at you for hours on end. Thanks to you, this book DID finally found its feet, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
About the Author
Chapter
One
ROSE
Despite the itch on her lower back that begged to be scratched, Rose held absolutely still as Tiree, her lady's maid, fastened the many tiny silver buttons that ran down the back of her gown.
Princesses had perfect poise all the time.
Not that Rose was a princess. But Queen Vashti had raised her as one and expected no less, even when she wasn't in the room to see. So Rose stood, as she always did, ramrod straight while her lady's maid moved from closing the buttons on the gown's back to examining the bodice for wrinkles or anything else that might mar the dress.
"Oh, Ruby! Are those real diamonds?" Iris came up and bent closer to examine the little sparkling stones that swirled at the bottom of Rose's skirts.
"Of course they are," Idalia smirked. "Do you think Queen Vashti would ever give Ruby something as low as crystals?" She turned to the mirror and adjusted her own crystal earrings.
"Take care, Idalia. Queen Vashti wouldn't like hearing you talk that way,” Elektra said, her mouth full of pins. She took the pins out. “Iris, come back! I've not finished your hair yet!"
Rose half-listened as the girls went through the usual squabbles that took place every time they got ready together. Idalia's jealousy was nothing new, and though it had once hurt and frustrated Rose, it no longer hit its target the way Idalia meant it to. Rose had bigger problems than the other human girls' jealousy over her place in the Eclipse Court.
A place she would give up in a heartbeat if offered the choice.
Not that Vashti ever would offer or grant such.
The door opened, and Rose stiffened. Tiree's fingers fumbled slightly as she attempted to pin a lock of Rose's dark hair back, and Iris, Idalia, and Elektra went silent.
"Sorry, we're late!" Jorah called. Everyone in the room began to breathe again as she and Violet hurried in and shut the door behind them. "Violet couldn't find her slippers!"
Tiree began pinning Rose's hair back once more, but her fingers flew even faster.
"Someone moved them!" Violet protested as she settled next to Iris. "Can you do my hair next?" she asked Elektra.
"I still don't know why we have to finish getting ready in here," Idalia grumbled. "We have our own rooms."
Iris shot her a glare. "Because Ruby is kind enough to let us use her mirrors."
"That," Jorah added, "and Queen Vashti wishes us to."
The girls continued to bicker and gossip as they helped one another with their hair, but it faded into mere noise when Tiree leaned in close to put Rose's earrings in her ears. "Are you ready?" she asked softly.
"Tonight will be a test," Rose murmured back, not taking her eyes off her reflection in the mirror. "I only wish I knew why she feels the need to test me again and again."
"I'm not sure," Tiree said softly. "But I believe you're right." She stepped back and looked Rose up and down with a knit brow that then smoothed. "Well, if it's your looks she's judging, I don't think she'll be able to find fault."
Rose studied her reflection in the mirror with a practiced critical eye. The gown was new, commissioned especially for this evening's feast. Its deep purple silk skirt flowed gracefully down over her hips and flared out at the bottom, her petticoats beneath just brushing the tops of her slippers. Lines of silver floated and swirled around the skirt's lower edges, the diamonds Idalia had mentioned glittering in the weak evening light that streamed in through Rose's bedroom windows. The bodice was no less elegant. The silver and diamonds continued to swirl there, gathering at the edges of a low neckline. A silver necklace with a small white gem glittered on her neck, and matching earrings dangled from her ears. Most of her long, dark hair had been curled and pinned back, though Tiree had artfully arranged a few escaped locks so that they covered the tips of her ears.
Not that everyone in the Eclipse Court wasn't painfully aware of Rose's humanity. Or rather, Ruby's. The gold flecks in her eyes were a dead giveaway, even if the rest of her appearance wasn’t. The other girls had gold flecks in their eyes, too, though none were quite as noticeable as Rose’s.
The door opened again, and the room, which had been buzzing with chatter, went silent. Rose felt the familiar stinging in her hands as the room's air developed a slight chill.
"You all look so lovely," a low, melodic voice said.
No one answered, but Rose could hear the rustle of their gowns as they stood and dropped into curtsies. Knowing better than to ruffle her dress, however, she remained as straight as ever.
"Are you ready to join your escort in the hall?" the low, melodic voice continued.
"Yes, Your Majesty," the girls answered in a demure chorus.
"Good. Now let me see to our guest of honor, and then we'll join you."
Rose could imagine Idalia wanted badly to roll her eyes. But Idalia was too intelligent to even think about doing that in front of the fae queen, and Rose was too well-trained to look.
"Oh, Ruby!" Vashti breathed as she came up behind her. Rose continued to stare straight ahead as the queen came to stand at her elbow, gazing into the mirror as well. Her eyes, dark with the silver flecks of the fae glinting in the light, met Rose’s. Then she turned and faced Rose herself.
"Excellent work, Tiree. You may go now."
Tiree curtsied low and then left without a word. Rose didn't miss the single glance she sent back at Rose in the mirror, but that was the most comfort her lady's maid could offer. Still, Rose appreciated it. She was used to having the queen's attention all to herself, of course. She'd been Vashti's prized possession since she'd arrived in the Eclipse Court at the age of three. But that didn't mean she wanted to be.
"Rose," the queen said once the door was shut and they were alone. "I knew you would be breathtaking in this gown, but this..." She pressed her hands against her heart. "This exceeds even my expectations." She raised her bright eyes to Rose's. "Are you excited?"
Rose met the queen's gaze evenly. "I'm honored that you wish to celebrate my birthday," she said.
The queen studied her for a moment, her brows furrowing slightly over her too-bright eyes. "I would ask why you choose not to answer my question, but I can also see that you look tired." She shook her head and sighed, something she never would have allowed the other girls or Tiree to see. "Rose, you haven't smiled in weeks. What's wrong?" She took Rose's hand in her own, making it sting even more. "This is your birthday! I had...I had hoped you would be happy." She gave Rose a sad smile.
Years ago, that smile would have convinced Rose to tell her everything. But Rose knew better now. So, after a split-second's hesitation, she allowed a small amount of her true exhaustion to show.
"I've...not been sleeping well, Your Majesty."
There. She had done it. Not too much truth. Not too little.
Vashti frowned and studied her more closely. "Why not?"
"Nightmares, Your Majesty."
The queen's eyes brightened yet more. "Of what?"
Here, Rose had to take care. The queen would know if she was lying. But if she told the truth, that could jeopardize the relative privacy she'd spent the last few years building up.
Because if she told the truth, she would have to tell the queen that her dreams were of violence, rage, and darkness. So much darkness. Even as she recalled her nightmares, the residue of the rose oil made her hands sting all the more.
"I can't say exactly," Rose said slowly. Technically, this was true. There were no words horrific enough to describe the nightmares she suffered. She'd had similar dreams when she was small, of course, but that was back when Aemon was...
No. She wouldn't allow herself to go there. It would only cause grief. And right now, Rose needed to concentrate.
"Hmm," the queen said, frowning. Then she snapped her fingers. "Tiree," she called. A minute later, Tiree's door at the other end of the room opened, and footsteps hurried toward them.
"Tiree, I'm going to mix up a potion tonight. Put it in Ruby's bathwater, then rub it onto her hands."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Tiree said, curtseying deeply once again.
"Do you think," Rose asked hesitantly when Tiree was gone again, "that the nightmares might be from the rose oil?"
"Has it increased since you began harvesting more?" the queen asked.
Rose nodded.
The queen pursed her lips. "It's very likely. Rose oil contains the most potent magic in the world."
"Even more potent than song?" Rose asked. She had suspected as much for years. But she'd never mustered the courage to ask the queen directly. Vashti did not like having her authority challenged, and though Rose gathered the rose oil at her behest, to even utter the possibility that anything might be stronger than the queen's magic seemed almost treasonous.
And yet, to Rose's surprise, the queen nodded. "Yes," she said slowly. "Even more potent than song. And it can have...effects on those who use it often. But," she took a deep breath and smiled, "with the potion, you should sleep well tonight. Now, be joyful. It's not every day you turn nineteen."
She held out her hand, and Rose knew the time for questions was over. So she took the queen's proffered hand and allowed her to lead them from the room.
The dreaded night had just begun.
The feast the queen had prepared for Rose's birthday was opulent, to say the least. The marble halls were always spotless, but today, they had been swathed in what seemed like miles of rich purple, midnight blue, and black silk. The tables were already piled high with more food than Rose had ever seen in one place. Not even Aemon had received such a celebration while he was at home.
And he was the queen's son.
The members of the court were all in attendance. It was sometimes easy to forget just how large the queen's court was, as many of them–wisely–chose to remain unseen most of the time. Rose had no doubt, however, that Vashti had ordered them all to appear tonight. That, in addition to the piles of food, only made her more certain that tonight was a test. She only wished she knew what she was being tested for this time.
The queen's party of human girls and their soldier escorts entered the dining hall in solemn order, each girl accompanied by a member of the royal guard. Rose was escorted by the queen herself. And though Rose and the queen were surrounded by four guards, Rose–and everyone else in the hall–knew that the guards were just for show. Queen Vashti was by far the most deadly force present.
One by one, the girls were seated, with Rose and Queen Vashti at the head of the long black and white marble table. Only when they were all sitting did everyone else relax enough to seat themselves.
"I hope your exhaustion hasn't ruined your appetite," Queen Vashti said to Rose as servants began serving portions of food onto the plates in front of the guests. "I've had the kitchens prepare all your favorites."
Rose's smile wasn't completely forced this time as she looked down at the plate. "I thank you," she said. "This is the most wonderful meal I've ever seen."
The queen beamed, the sparkle of her dark earrings nearly matching that of her eyes. "I've also prepared entertainment!" She turned and hummed a long, soft note.
Though the room had begun to echo with the low din of polite conversation, that was all it took. Immediately, the chatter died away, and every head turned to look at Vashti as she rose from her chair.
"I thank you all for coming," she said, her low, powerful voice making the air vibrate slightly even in its amiability. "Though Lady Ruby," she gestured to Rose, "made her way to us when she was only three years of age, I feel almost as though she was mine from the start." Her bright eyes softened slightly, and her smile warmed as she gazed down at Rose. "The daughter the Silver Rose never granted me. Even in the pain of loss that haunted me, first in the loss of my young husband, then in the betrayal of my second, I found that I had been gifted not only my son but a daughter as well. And even though..." She closed her eyes, her voice wavering slightly.
Rose stared up at the queen, as did everyone around her. To see the queen overcome by emotion was unusual...and often dangerous. And what did she mean by the Silver Rose? How would a rose grant anyone a child?
But the moment passed, and the queen merely cleared her throat. "You might be wondering why we're throwing such a celebration for a mere nineteenth birthday. It has no particular significance in either fae or man’s traditions. Lady Ruby, however, will likely be on her own journey soon, and I wish this to be a night for her to look back upon with fondness when she is gone."
Rose stared up at the queen and had to make a special effort to keep her emotional mask in place. Might not be with them? Where in all of Aerovain did the queen expect her to go? And why was she learning about it only now?
Vashti did not explain. Instead, she continued to smile down at Rose. "And so, for what might possibly be our last celebration of your life together, I raise a Cladhem." As she spoke, she raised her left hand toward the vaulted ceiling that, during the day, would have revealed the sky.
In response, the rest of the court raised their left hands as well. And all began to sing.
The power of the Blessing Song moved through and around Rose like water. And though the blessing itself shouldn’t have bothered her, this one was most unpleasant. For as with nearly all traditional fae songs, Vashti had altered it, making Rose’s hands sting again as Vashti’s magic brushed against them. Rose was in the middle of attempting to block the stinging from her mind when the queen's voice ceased.
Several seconds passed before the rest of the court realized that their monarch had stopped singing as well. Rose silently pleaded, though she didn't know to whom, that they would listen. The courtiers weren't dear to her, but the last thing she wanted was for her birthday to become a bloodbath. She had witnessed too many of those before.
The queen's eyes had narrowed, and she was looking up and down the two rows of courtiers with a predatory smile.
"Someone," she said softly, "is not singing the Cladhem."
The hall grew deathly still as the queen slid her chair back and began to stalk down the length of the bench on the right of the long stone table. No one dared to breathe as she searched each face.
She took so long, in fact, that Rose had begun to hope that perhaps the queen might not find the perpetrator when she stopped behind the fourth person from last.
"Lady Ownah," she said, putting her hands on the young fae woman’s shoulders. "Do you wish to tell us why you weren't singing the Cladhem to Lady Ruby?"
Lady Ownah looked so pale that her already white face turned nearly a shade of gray.
"Go on," Vashti coaxed. “It's no crime to tell the truth."
Lady Ownah, a tall faerie about a year younger than Rose, sent Rose a terrified, resentful glance.
Rose had been aware of the young faerie's resentment for years. The children of the court saw enough of Rose to know that she was the queen's favored one. But most of them were too ignorant and foolish to realize what a danger such a position meant. As Ownah could do little to hurt Rose under the queen's protection, however, Rose had chosen to ignore most of her snide comments. She had more important things to worry about.
