Briar Rose

by Jana Oliver

  His chance at a kingdom is gone. All that he’s hoped for, his only dream.

  Would he still want to overthrow the regent?

  Briar glanced over her shoulder at the sleeping form. Did she dare tell them what she’d seen in Aurora’s eyes? Not until I understand what it means.

  Joshua gave her a quizzical look and when she shook her head, he laid the sword aside.

  ‘Then if you do not have the courage I shall do the deed, once I have . . . rested,’ Ruric replied, slumping down on to the dusty floor. As he leaned himself up against the wall, his quaking hand moved to his throat.

  ‘The metal, it’s growing worse,’ he said, his words slurring. ‘You must leave me while you have the chance.’

  ‘No, you’re coming with us,’ Briar insisted.

  ‘Briar . . .’ Joshua began.

  ‘I’m losing the battle,’ Ruric replied soberly, his tormented eyes meeting hers now. ‘Soon I will be all metal and the regent will own me. I may harm you, Briar, though I would have no wish to do so.’

  No you won’t.

  He cleared his throat to little effect. ‘The princess is dead and the regent has replaced her with this . . . horror. All my plans are for naught.’

  ‘Do you still want to overthrow the regent?’ she asked.

  ‘Yes, but only Aurora could have roused her people to war.’

  Unless . . . ‘If you had a substitute princess,’ Briar said before she could stop herself, ‘we can take out the regent and then you’ll stop turning all metal.’

  He studied her for some time before replying. ‘Think long on that offer. If you assume the princess’s place, you may well have to remain here. The people will not accept me as their king if Aurora does not share the throne.’

  Which means she and Ruric would have to rule together and maybe . . . get married? Was this what the fortune teller meant?

  ‘Briar,’ Joshua said, the one word laden with abundant warning.

  If she ignored the Ruric complications for the moment, it came down to whether she had the guts to pull it off. Could I do it? Maybe, once she got the dye out of her hair. In many ways, she’d been rehearsing for the role all her life.

  Something must have shown on her face as Joshua exploded. ‘Oh, hell no! This is not happening! You’re not staying here to play princess with this guy.’

  Briar wheeled on him. ‘Why not? I can do it.’

  ‘For how long? Once the regent’s gone, what’s to keep him from turning on you?’

  ‘What do I have to go home to? Boring old Bliss? A bunch of sick rumours about why I was cursed? Mike and his lies? At least here I’ll be—’

  ‘This isn’t your life, Briar. You belong with your family and your friends. Not here. Not with . . .’ He trailed off, glowering at Ruric now. ‘There’s no guarantee that if you defeat the regent, that her magic is going to just vanish. You could get stuck with a . . . tin-can prince.’

  Now he was just being an ass. ‘There are worse things,’ she said, glaring. ‘At least he won’t put a curse on me.’

  ‘You cursed her?’ Ruric demanded, his eyes flaring. ‘Why in heaven’s name would you do that, you fool?’

  ‘I didn’t mean to,’ Joshua replied. ‘It was an accident.’

  Ruric eyed the pair of them. ‘I give you my word that if Briar assumes the role of princess, I will not harm her in any fashion,’ he said, his voice steady. ‘If she does not wish to wed, I will not force her to do so. We will find a way around that.’

  ‘Like I believe you,’ Joshua snarled. ‘She goes home. With me.’

  ‘The decision is mine,’ Briar cut in. ‘Don’t even think you can bully me, Joshua Quinn.’

  The prince looked up at her, hopeful. ‘Then you will remain, at least long enough to help us overthrow the regent?’

  ‘Long enough for that, yes,’ she said, kneeling before him. ‘Then we’ll find some way to have the people to accept you as their ruler.’

  But, even then, would the curse let her go?

  Ruric caught her hand and was about to kiss it, when he paused. ‘What is this on your fingers?’

  Briar looked down. ‘Oh, it’s some sort of powdery dust one of the fata gave me.’ Oh, crap, what if . . . ?

  She was on her in feet in a flash.

  ‘Briar?’ Ruric asked. ‘What is troubling you?’

  She pulled out the leaf pouch and held it up for her companions. ‘The fata said this stuff was “for all things metal”. What if this dust affects it some way?’

  ‘Why would you think that?’ Joshua said, his brows furrowed.

  ‘Remember I had some of this on my fingers when we were in the pit? I hit one of the centipedes with my fist and it began to fall apart. That’s why I kept staring at it. I was trying to figure out what had happened to it.’

  ‘You didn’t mention this . . . why?’ Joshua demanded.

  ‘I wasn’t sure what was going on.’

  ‘Then if that is the case, you must test it upon me,’ Ruric insisted. ‘That way we will know if the fata have given us a potent weapon for our battle.’

  ‘Or a really good way to kill you,’ Briar cautioned.

  ‘I will take the risk. Put some upon me, and let us determine what this magic is about,’ he said, drawing up a sleeve.

  ‘I thought you didn’t like the fata.’

  ‘I’m not sure I do, but they are the regent’s enemies, and that may serve our purpose well.’

  With a gulp, Briar dipped three fingers in the glittering dust and then handed the pouch over to Joshua so he could close it.

  ‘You sure?’ she asked.

  Ruric nodded. ‘I trust you not to harm me, though others do not deem me worthy of that same gesture,’ he said, his flinty gaze on Joshua now.

  Briar knelt next to him and then gently wiped her fingers down his arm. They watched it for a few moments, but nothing happened.

  ‘Ohhh, I was wrong. I’m sorry. I thought—’

  A shudder rolled through Ruric’s body. His face contorted and he collapsed on his side, writhing in agony on the dusty floor, as if he were fighting some mighty battle inside himself.

  Briar looked on, hopeless. Don’t let him die, please!

  After some time, Ruric ceased thrashing and he took a long, tortured gasp of air.

  With her help, he sat up. ‘Your face,’ she said, the tears forming in her eyes. ‘It’s . . . it’s . . .’ It was red and dotted with sweat that ran down his cheeks in rivulets. ‘The metal’s gone.’

  Ruric extended his once silver-clad arm. It was normal now. ‘By heavens, it is true.’

  ‘We have a weapon now,’ she exclaimed.

  ‘Not entirely,’ the prince replied. ‘Her spell is still inside me. I can feel it there. I suspect it will be until the regent is no more.’

  Briar looked over at the sleeping princess. ‘Are you willing to kiss her again?’

  Ruric started at the question. ‘Are you mad? I have no intention of going anywhere near that monstrosity. I am not suicidal.’

  Maybe that was the point. ‘The regent can encase people in metal, so what if this is the real princess?’ she posed. ‘What if she did that to Aurora?’

  ‘It’s possible, I guess,’ Joshua allowed, wiping his nose on a sleeve after a sneeze. ‘But the others stay metal all the time – they don’t change back and forth. At least, I’ve not seen them do that.’

  Briar worked that out in her head. ‘What if the spell is set up so that she’s Aurora until someone kisses her? Then she goes full metal and kills the clueless sucker, then reverts back to herself.’

  ‘Why would the regent do such a thing?’ Ruric asked.

  ‘Because it’s her style,’ Briar said, warming to the idea. ‘The princess kills anyone who tries to free her. That’s really twisted.’

  Joshua gave a grudging nod. ‘I like it. It has a certain cruelty to it. So give her another kiss, and if she tries to kill you we’ll hit her with the dust and see what happens. Worst comes to wors
t, she turns into a pile of cogs and screws.’

  Ruric shook his head, his arms crossed over his chest now, adopting the I’m so not going there posture. Briar knew it well – she’d used it off and on over the years.

  ‘I am not willing to risk it,’ he said flatly.

  ‘How about if we used the dust before you kiss her?’ Briar offered.

  There was less doubt in his eyes now.

  ‘You’ve waited all this time to free her, Ruric. We have to give it a shot. If this isn’t her, I’ll try to get the dye out of my hair, put on some of her clothes and play princess to your prince.’

  A low growl came from Joshua, signalling his displeasure.

  ‘We have to try,’ she urged.

  The prince sighed as he looked heavenward in supplication. She knew she’d won the argument when his arms dropped to his sides in resignation.

  ‘Then you had best prepare yourselves lest this go wrong. Because it shall, I swear,’ he said.

  Once they were assured they were as ready as possible, the prince stepped closer to the sleeping figure. ‘I am such a fool,’ he muttered.

  ‘At least you’re a brave one,’ Briar said, and that earned her a smile.

  At his nod, Briar sprinkled the dust over the sleeping form, a very light coat from blonde head to those shoes. The stuff shimmered, almost as if it had movement, changing colours from blue to orange and then back.

  ‘It’s kind of pretty,’ Briar said.

  As the dust sank deep within Aurora’s skin, her body shuddered.

  ‘I pray that we have not harmed her, that this wasn’t the fata’s plan to destroy her,’ Ruric murmured.

  ‘They wouldn’t have known we were going to do this,’ Briar said. At least she hoped that was the case. Was I wrong to trust them?

  Warily, Ruric leaned over and kissed the girl once again. This time he did not linger, but stepped away immediately, on guard.

  Briar stuffed the pouch back into her corset, then crossed the fingers on both her hands. This had to be Aurora.

  The figure began to tremble again as the blonde eyelashes fluttered and opened. A deep breath followed as the eyes slowly focused.

  ‘What do you think?’ Ruric said.

  ‘We’ll know soon enough.’ Come on . . . show us some attitude.

  The princess slowly pushed herself up off the divan, just like before. She dropped the rose as if surprised to find herself holding it.

  A deep yawn came next, her arms stretching up above her head, tightening the fabric over her ample breasts. A sight that neither of the guys missed.

  ‘My princess,’ Ruric said. He did not go down on one knee, still wary.

  Aurora stared at him, her eyebrows furrowed in displeasure.

  ‘Who are you?’ she demanded, her voice a bit higher than Briar’s. It was the kind of tone bred by years of expecting servants to cater to her every whim. ‘How dare you come into my chambers without my permission?’

  Briar grinned. ‘Guys, I think this is the real thing.’

  For a brief moment, Ruric was speechless. Then he regained his composure and went down on one knee.

  ‘Princess Aurora, I apologize for entering your chambers in such a bold manner. I am Prince Ruric, the third son of King Leovold, from the kingdom of Angevin.’

  She wasn’t impressed, glaring at him now. ‘I do not care who you are. Where is my governess? Why has she allowed you here?’

  ‘Oh, yeah, we got a real piece of work here,’ Joshua muttered. ‘At least now you get to go home,’ he added, giving Briar a sidelong look. ‘Right?’

  She didn’t bother to answer.

  Ruric went on a charm offensive. ‘Please pardon our intrusion, but it was the only means to break your enchantment.’

  The frown deepened. ‘I wasn’t enchanted. I was resting, you oaf, and you woke me.’ She glanced around and grew more confused. ‘Why are my chambers in such a state? Why haven’t they been cleaned?’

  Ruric rose with a frustrated frown of his own. Apparently he’d expected the girl to leap into his arms and proclaim her undying love.

  ‘You have been asleep for a very long time. Ten years, in fact.’

  ‘That is nonsense,’ the girl said, rising. Then she saw Briar. ‘Who are you and how dare you . . . resemble me?’

  Oh boy. We definitely got attitude. ‘Actually it’s the other way round – you resemble me,’ Briar said, stifling a grin. ‘Go figure.’

  ‘Who are you? Are you this man’s harlot?’

  Harlot? Briar’s temper unsheathed its claws. ‘We’re the people who just saved your butt. A little gratitude might be nice, princess.’

  Aurora stared at her in shock. Apparently nobody had ever called her on being a diva. The next stage would be panic, culminating in her shouting for help.

  ‘Guys, can you give us a moment?’ Briar asked. ‘I need to bring her up to speed.’

  ‘Good luck with that,’ Joshua whispered. He and Ruric promptly backed off, no doubt relieved she was taking the lead.

  Briar sat on the princess’s bed, despite the glare it earned her.

  ‘How dare you—’ the girl began.

  ‘Don’t say it!’ Briar said, raising a finger for silence. ‘The reason your room . . . chambers are a mess is because you’re being held prisoner. If we don’t get you out of this castle, your kingdom is going to be destroyed.’

  ‘My father will—’

  Now Briar did have to be a jerk. ‘I sorry, but both your folks are dead. So is all the court. The regent killed them after she enchanted you.’

  ‘Regent? We have no regent in this kingdom. Who is this person?’

  ‘She’s your governess,’ Ruric chimed in.

  Briar shot him a frown. Now you tell us.

  The princess shook her head, tossing curls in all directions. ‘You are lying. Hildretha is a loyal servant. She saved me from the spell that the fata laid upon me.’

  ‘It is all true, I swear,’ Briar replied. ‘We need to get you out of here.’

  ‘Might I suggest that you switch clothes with my cousin?’ Ruric said.

  ‘With her? Whatever for?’ Aurora replied.

  ‘Briar will distract those who might want to harm you, at least long enough for me to help you escape.’

  ‘I am not giving my fine clothes to some village girl,’ the princess complained.

  Being a village girl was a step up from harlot, but it still rankled.

  ‘Briar is not some village girl. She and this young man have risked their lives for you, so show some kindness.’

  ‘I will not—’

  ‘Exchange clothes and let us be off,’ he said tartly. ‘We do not have time to argue.’

  Aurora grumbled under her breath, her eyes promising payback.

  ‘I am sorry for being so abrupt, but after we wed this will only be a bad memory, I promise.’

  ‘Wed?’ The girl’s expression went from annoyed to suspicious in an instant.

  Nooo! That probably hadn’t been Ruric’s brightest move. Great kissing skills did not equal a guaranteed trip down the aisle. Or a kingdom.

  The princess eyed her, her expression changing as if she’d come to some decision. ‘None of my gowns will fit you. You are too plump.’

  Joshua whistled under his breath. ‘No people skills there,’ he murmured.

  ‘It’ll be fine,’ Briar replied through clenched teeth. ‘Can you two give us space?’

  ‘Come on,’ Joshua said, waving Ruric along. ‘Let’s talk.’

  The pair of them exited into the antechamber. As the door closed behind them, they began to murmur in lowered voices, probably Joshua pointing out that Ruric’s courting skills needed some serious help.

  Briar began unlacing her corset.

  ‘You want my kingdom – I can see it in your face,’ the princess said as she fumbled with her own laces.

  ‘No, I want to go home, and the only way that will happen is if your kingdom is regent-free.’ Or at least I hope that’s the
case.

  ‘You are mistaken. My governess would never harm me. She has been with me for many years.’

  ‘But she was there when the curse went down, right?’

  ‘If you mean, was she near me when I fell asleep, yes. She promised I would not die. Clearly she told the truth. It is only proper that she has become regent while I was asleep if all my . . . family are . . . gone.’

  Briar heard the hitch in her voice. ‘I’m sorry about that.’

  ‘You are not lying, are you? About them?’

  ‘No. That’s why the regent has to go. She’s killed them and she’s been torturing and executing people all over the place.’

  The girl blinked in consternation. ‘Again you lie. You do not know her as I do. Many fear her, but it is only because of the mask she must wear.’

  ‘And why does she wear that and the gloves all the time?’

  ‘Hildretha was burned as a child and hides the scars so none will mock her.’

  How convenient. ‘Have you ever seen her face?’

  ‘I had no need to do so,’ was the swift reply.

  To speed things along, Briar had to unlace the royal’s dress for her, making her wonder if the girl had ever performed such a menial task. The switch was accomplished with a lot of complaining on the princess’s part.

  ‘Your clothes are filthy. Do you not wash?’

  ‘I’ve been a bit busy,’ Briar replied.

  Somehow that petulant attitude never came across in any of the fairy tales. In those stories, Aurora was portrayed as a demure and kind young woman, not at all like the one wrestling herself into Briar’s clothes and bitching up a storm.

  Even worse, the princess had been right – her gown didn’t fit Briar.

  Aurora smirked. ‘I did warn you.’

  ‘Just lace it as far you can. You have a cloak, right? It’ll hide it.’

  The royal did as she asked, despite the four-inch gap at the back.

  ‘We’re about ready,’ Briar called out to her companions.

  She found a comb and began to tidy up her hair in the dusty mirror. The best she could do was braid it and tie it with a small piece of golden cord she’d found near the comb. It was still black and there was nothing she could do about that. If she pulled up the hood of the cloak, maybe all they’d see was her face.