Briar Rose

by Jana Oliver

  Ruric gave a faint nod, and when she placed the wet rag on his back, he stiffened. A faint oath sailed through the air, then an apology.

  ‘I’d be saying worse than that if it was me,’ Joshua said.

  Slowly Briar soaked the shirt until it could be removed. With his flesh exposed, Ruric began to shiver harder now. She carefully cleaned each of the welts and the slices, and found herself counting them, anger growing with each mark.

  ‘I told them nothing. I would not give up my friends,’ he said. A deep cough. ‘This was solely the regent’s doing.’ Because in his mind Aurora couldn’t be capable of such an act.

  ‘Was the princess there?’

  ‘Not as they whipped me. She came afterwards. She was . . . upset.’

  But not upset enough to help you.

  ‘Here, he’ll need this,’ Joshua said, stripping off his jerkin and then his shirt. She couldn’t help but note the bruises on his chest, and yet he’d never complained of being hurt.

  They replaced Ruric’s ruined shirt with Joshua’s, but there was no way to keep the open wounds from clinging to the fabric.

  ‘Thank you,’ he said, and lay on his side with a groan.

  ‘Just returning the favour, cousin,’ she murmured.

  Worried that he would only grow more ill, Briar removed her cloak and tucked it around him, hoping it would be enough. A faint nod came her way and then Ruric’s eyes closed.

  Joshua shifted around the prone man and took a seat next to her. After pulling on the leather jerkin, his cloak went over her shoulders and he tucked her close to his chest. His nearly unclothed chest.

  Which was when she really noticed that he had muscles, probably from working at the stables. They weren’t as defined as Pat’s, but they were definitely there.

  ‘That OK?’ he asked.

  ‘Just fine,’ she said. Great, even.

  ‘Why do you call him “cousin”?’

  ‘So no one would think it odd I just showed up out of nowhere.’

  ‘Hmm . . .’

  ‘We’re in big trouble. The villagers won’t go to war if the princess is supporting the regent, even if she is half drazak.’

  ‘True, but the regent has ruled this kingdom for a long time, so she’s used to being in charge. She won’t stop issuing orders and prissy princess won’t like that. If the regent goes too far, Aurora might rebel.’

  ‘Hopefully before we’re all dead,’ Briar muttered.

  ‘That’s the one flaw in my plan.’

  She laid her head on his shoulder and focused on his soft breathing. He didn’t seem to be panicking, not like she wanted to.

  ‘I wonder where the others are. If they’re still alive.’

  ‘I’m sure they’re fine,’ Joshua soothed. ‘Probably trying to figure out how to rescue us. Pat would love that part. Then he could play the hero.’

  ‘I wouldn’t mind that.’

  ‘Just as long as he doesn’t try to kiss you, it’s all good.’

  Briar grinned as her eyes slipped closed. She tried to believe she was in her own bed, but that proved difficult with her guy holding her. Or maybe they were in the bed together and . . .

  Where did that come from?

  Joshua shifted a bit, making her wonder if he was having similar thoughts.

  ‘I remember when you were in kindergarten,’ he said, his voice barely above a whisper so as not to disturb their companion. ‘I loved your long braids. Your mom used different coloured ribbons for each day of the week. Red for Monday, green for Tuesday, and so on. I loved Fridays – you wore blue ribbons then. I really liked those.’

  ‘How do you remember all that?’ She sure didn’t.

  ‘Just do. That’s how I found you in the river. I looked for the ribbons.’

  She’d always wondered about that.

  ‘Why didn’t you let go of my hand in the water?’ he asked, turning towards her now.

  ‘I didn’t want to lose you. You were my friend.’

  ‘And now?’

  What was he now? ‘You’re more than that.’

  Joshua’s hand slid further along her back and his fingers found the open place where the dress didn’t meet. They felt warm and comforting against her bare skin. Emboldened, he kissed her.

  Briar returned it eagerly and then settled back in his arms.

  He risked his life to touch me.

  When Briar awoke near dawn, Joshua still had his arms around her, as if he refused to let her go. Ruric hadn’t moved all night and was snoring lightly. From the window above them came the thump of boots as guards marched to and fro. It was the day they were supposed to die.

  The curse was winning. It had divided them, wounded their champion, and put them on the fast track to the grave.

  No, not yet.

  Her life rested on her shoulders, not those of some prince or errant hero.

  I will own this curse. I will break it.

  If not, Briar would lose too many people that she cared about, like the boy next to her. The boy who’d had the courage to touch her and tell her how much he cared for her.

  As if he knew she was thinking of her, Joshua muttered in his sleep. She had never really understood what went on inside that mind of his. For so many years she’d thought he hated her because he’d almost died and that’s why her mom wouldn’t let her talk to him. Later, she came to realize the problem was less about them and more about their families. Now she knew it was the curse that kept derailing their lives.

  Joshua really was a handsome guy, soft-spoken most of the time, blessed with a quiet strength that knew when to hold back, and when to act. She could learn from him.

  I already have.

  Feeling mischievous, Briar pulled the fata feather from her bodice and trailed it down his cheek, hoping that would wake him. He shifted again, but didn’t stir from his slumber. When the feather failed, she stashed it away and kissed his cheek. This time his eyes blinked open. There was confusion for an instant, then a smile.

  ‘That’s a good way to wake up,’ he said. A frown formed as colour rose in his cheeks. ‘Oh, man. I really need . . . to pee.’

  So did she. But how? The cell’s ‘toilet’ was a wooden bucket in the far corner. It was noticeably missing that key element: privacy. That was pretty sad even by fairy-tale standards.

  ‘You first,’ she said shifting her weight out of his arms. Anything to buy time.

  ‘No. You go ahead,’ he said, trying to be gallant.

  She shook her head.

  ‘This is . . .’ he sighed. ‘Way embarrassing.’

  ‘Tell me about it. At least you’re not wearing a bunch of skirts.’ Guys had it so easy.

  To give him privacy and to keep from blushing at the thought that a boy was going to be relieving himself within earshot, she turned her back and began to hum. It was a nonsensical song she used to sing to herself when she was little, one all about frogs and princes.

  When Joshua tapped her on the shoulder, she jumped, so fixated on trying not to overhear anything.

  ‘Your turn,’ he said.

  Briar really wanted to wait it out, but there was no way she could. ‘You can’t tell anyone this happened. Not ever.’

  He crossed his fingers over his heart. ‘It’s our secret.’

  Still . . . this was Joshua and . . . now that they’d got so close . . .

  This totally sucks. I really like this guy and he’s going to remember this every time he sees me.

  ‘You’d better hurry. Ruric will be waking up pretty soon,’ he urged.

  That would be even worse. Pushing her modesty aside, she did the deed while Joshua stared up at the small cell window and talked about hoof care. How if you didn’t keep a horse’s hoofs in fine condition they could go lame, and then he detailed exactly how one did that. It was a totally boring topic and allowed her to focus on the job at hand.

  When she rejoined him, Briar offered her thanks, still embarrassed.

  ‘For what?’ Joshua said, then winked.
‘I was just telling you about horse care.’

  You really are a cool guy.

  He pointed up at the window and then made a sling with his hands. ‘Give the bars a shake. Maybe we’ll get lucky,’ he said.

  That proved a no-go.

  ‘It only happens in movies,’ she said, as he helped her back down. Briar found herself wedged between him and the stone wall, his arms round her waist. He didn’t appear to be in a hurry to remove them.

  She really did want him to kiss her again, and when he moved a bit closer his eyes searched hers. Looking for permission or . . .

  Ruric chose that moment to sit up and Joshua backed off immediately.

  Argh!

  ‘Good morning, all,’ the prince said wearily, giving no indication he’d interrupted a romantic moment. With stiff movements, he removed her cloak and handed it over.’ No doubt you will need this more than I do.’

  Briar had completely forgotten about her lacing issue and that she was flashing two guys. She quickly pulled the cloak over her shoulders. Before either she or Joshua could offer to help, Ruric regained his feet, wincing as the shirt broke free of the wounds, one by one.

  ‘Fine morning for an execution, don’t you think?’ he said, his face showing the strain.

  ‘I’ve seen better,’ Joshua replied, frowning. ‘Any chance of a rescue, O Prince?’

  ‘Not at present,’ Ruric replied. ‘I trust you still hold the fata’s dust.’ Briar nodded. ‘Then there is some hope.’

  They fell silent as the jailer and the guards began the trek into the dungeon.

  ‘All three of you are due for execution within the hour,’ he announced.

  ‘What, no breakfast?’ Joshua said. ‘That’s rude.’

  The man crooked an eyebrow. ‘Don’t know how they do such things your kingdom, young princeling, but we aren’t so kind to our traitors.’

  Princeling?

  Now that Briar studied Joshua anew, she could see why the man had made that assumption. Joshua held himself as if he weren’t afraid, his feet apart, his arms crossed over a chest. Just like a royal.

  Her eyes caught Ruric’s and he gave a subtle nod.

  ‘Maybe not in the blood, but in the heart,’ he murmured.

  So she had found her prince after all, but she was still stuck in the curse.

  After their hands were secured in front of them with rough cords, they were escorted out of the dungeon into the early morning sunlight. Briar blinked until her eyes could adjust. It was the beginning of a nice day, which didn’t make her feel any better. It should be raining or hailing or something portentous that fitted with being led to her execution. Instead it was as if Mother Nature were shrugging her shoulders, bored with the whole scene.

  Nearby was a cart, the same one that had carried so many unfortunate prisoners to their deaths. Even though Joshua went first, it took some doing to get into the back of the thing with her hands tied, though he tried to help her. As she climbed up, she tripped.

  ‘Damned skirts,’ she muttered. Not one of the guards offered any assistance.

  In their eyes, she was already a corpse.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  Briar scooted nearer to Joshua in the back of the cart. He couldn’t put his arms around her, not bound as he was, so they had to content themselves with holding hands. It was so strange to see their fingers entwined and thick ropes round their wrists.

  ‘Any chance they’ll use a guillotine?’ Joshua asked with a weak smile. ‘You know, something quick and painless?’

  ‘That’ll be it for sure,’ she said.

  He knew she was lying: the regent wasn’t into quick death. She liked people to suffer, to offer a visceral message: ‘Obey me and your family won’t die. Cross the line and this could be you.’

  It was right out of the tyrant’s handbook.

  ‘Maybe if anything happens to you, you’ll wake up, you know, in the real world,’ she said.

  Joshua shook his head solemnly. ‘Not likely. I’m inside this now. I die here, I die there. Besides, I wouldn’t want to wake up and . . . you not be around any more. I couldn’t handle that.’

  She felt the same way about him.

  He shifted uneasily. ‘What will my little brothers think if I croaked on them? I was way happy when they left for summer camp because they’re so noisy.’ He leaned his head back against the wooden frame. ‘Now I might never see them again.’

  Before he could respond, the cart set off with a jerk. Ruric wasn’t a fellow passenger, but forced to march behind them as if he were a prisoner of war, a great general humbled by his capture. Though she knew he was aching, he didn’t bow his head, but looked straight forward, unafraid.

  ‘How does he keep it together?’ she whispered.

  ‘I have no idea,’ Joshua replied. ‘Maybe it comes with being a prince.’

  As they exited the castle, the gong began to toll. The effect was instant: sleepy villagers came out of their houses, throwing on cloaks and shawls, toting babies and yawning kids.

  When Joshua tightened his grip on her hands, she leaned over and placed a kiss on his flushed cheek. As if to punish them, the cart hit a bump and they bounced apart.

  ‘Do you see Pat or Reena?’ she asked, searching the crowd that pressed near them.

  Joshua shook his head. ‘I’m not feeling good about that.’

  Briar had the same dread. Maybe they weren’t hurt and Reena took them home. In some ways, she wished that were true.

  The cart rolled past the inn where she’d stayed with Ruric that night. The innkeeper was on his front porch, gloating.

  ‘Not so high and mighty now, are you?’ the man called out.

  Jerk. It wouldn’t have turned out that way if Ruric had become king.

  People stared openly at Briar and Joshua, then at the man they knew as a stablehand. There were murmurs, gasps of surprise. Unlike with the fata, there was no rotten fruit, no jeers. Just shock.

  ‘Is it true he’s a prince?’ someone asked.

  ‘That’s what they say. From Angevin. What has he done?’

  ‘Treason, I heard,’ another said.

  So the word had got out about Ruric’s ancestry. That might work in their favour. Had the regent made a mistake by making their executions public?

  As Briar desperately tried to work out some sort of a plan that didn’t offer dismal failure, the cart entered the open field, making its way through grazing sheep and the occasional goat.

  While the crowd milled around them, the cart jolted to a halt. She searched for familiar faces and found a few. Dimia was a short distance away, crying, no doubt upset that a potential bridegroom was about to become history. The smithy stood nearby, his hand resting on his small son’s shoulders. His face was unreadable, probably fearing he and his family might be next.

  With effort, Briar worked her way towards the edge of the cart, then on to the ground where Joshua joined her. Ruric halted a few feet away, his mouth set in a grim line. His eyes met hers and she could see he was blaming himself for this.

  Sorry, guy. I was supposed to make this right and all I’ve done is screw up.

  ‘Over here,’ the lead guard ordered. He was one of the human ones, but his tone told her it’d be a waste of time to expect any compassion on his part. How did someone become like that? Had all the deaths made him cold inside? At what point did he decide that it was better to be a tool instead?

  Briar heard the rattle of the carriage before she saw it, and as before, the regent’s elite metal guards escorted the vehicle, their faces reflecting the morning sunlight.

  ‘Oh, damn,’ Joshua said.

  ‘What?’ she said as she turned back.

  He pointed towards the huge oak tree where a noose dangled from one of the main branches. The regent wasn’t going to turn one of her metal monsters loose to kill them – she was going to have them hanged, one by one.

  ‘Oh, God . . .’ Her hands began to shake and her throat went arid.

  Joshua nudged h
er. ‘Come on, don’t lose it now. You can do this. This is your dream, not hers.’

  ‘But—’

  ‘It’s yours!’ he insisted. ‘You’ll find a way to defeat her. I know it. You wrote the story in the first place, right? Reclaim it, and write a new ending.’

  He believes in me. It was there in every word, the unyielding faith that somehow she could pull this bloody disaster out of its death spiral.

  Briar closed her eyes, trying to scrape together any bit of courage she could summon. For some absurd reason Elmer Rose came to mind, the scrawny country boy who had run through withering rifle and artillery fire to try to save his home and family. He had failed, but he had done his best in a war that had torn the world apart, no matter if you were blue or grey.

  Remembering the portrait of him over the mantel at home, Briar borrowed some of Elmer’s strength. Something must have changed on her face because Joshua gave her a nod.

  ‘That’s it,’ he said. ‘Whatever you’re doing, keep it up.’

  ‘I’ll try.’

  The instant the carriage came to a halt, the footman stepped forward and opened the door. As usual, the regent exited, her leather bag in hand, a demonic Mary Poppins without all the merry chimney sweeps.

  Another figure emerged from the gloom of the carriage, one Briar hadn’t expected. The princess wore a deep blue gown and a matching cloak, her hair stylishly arranged high on her head, as if she were going to a ball rather than an execution. In her hand was a jewelled scabbard, probably some relic of state or something.

  Where is my bracelet? What did you do with it?

  Now that the princess was here, the only plan that made sense was the toss the fata dust on the tyrant strategy, one that could fail spectacularly. Still, if the townspeople found out Hildretha was part drazak, that might tip the scales towards rebellion.

  The regent took a position on the low wooden platform, gazing out at the crowd behind that impenetrable mask. The moment the villagers spied their princess, there were gasps and cries of delight. She really was beloved by these people.

  You have no idea what she’s like, guys. Nevertheless, a snippy royal brat beat a bloodthirsty tyrant any day.

  Aurora cautiously made her way to the steps and up on to the platform with the assistance of a guard, acknowledging the villagers who bowed or curtsied to her. She held her head high with an inborn grace that Briar would have found hard to duplicate. As she gestured to her subjects, there was a glint of silver on her left wrist. The charm bracelet.