Five Enchanted Roses: A Collection of Beauty and the Beast Stories

by Kaycee Browning

  “Barend’s,” Ritter admitted. “But it was Bellenya who told us where to get them.”

  Karyna snapped her fingers. “I knew it!” she said. “Bellenya would never confess, but I knew she was involved. She was always showing off for Barend, always going that extra step to impress him.”

  “We all were,” Ritter replied. “Admit it: Even you were constantly looking for his approval.”

  “I was simply glad to be included at all,” Karyna admitted, her cheeks turning pink. “But Bellenya . . . she went further out of her way to get his attention than anyone else.”

  “Do you think Bellenya is being held prisoner at Rivenloch?” Ritter asked, an inscrutable expression on his face. “Do you believe the curse can be broken?”

  “Yes,” Karyna said, her tone firm. “I have to. Anything else would mean . . .” She trailed off, feeling less confident than she sounded. If Bellenya was not at Rivenloch, then the dreams had meant nothing and all her efforts had been in vain. The curse would continue; Barend would remain trapped in a land that was not his home, and her father would be lost to her forever.

  Karyna pressed her lips together, defiance rising in her spirit. That could not be true. She refused to let it be true.

  Ritter winced apologetically. “I’m sorry. I forgot about your father.”

  “No need to apologize,” Karyna said, waving a hand. “I know most people have given up on a happy ending. But I can’t. I have to hope.”

  “Me too,” Ritter replied.

  The beast prowled through the forest just out of sight, following her and the scent of roses that clung to her. His massive paws made no sound as he stalked through the underbrush, silent as a fawn. He knew not where she was going, and he cared not. He followed. That was his duty.

  Laughter rang through the forest and the beast crouched close to the ground, his senses wary. The other who now traveled with her was not wholly welcome, but he was not a threat like the first. This one seemed to make her happy, and so the beast allowed him to stay. He wished he could make her happy, wished he could be the reason for her laughter. But he seemed to be only a source of sadness for her, so he remained in the shadows, allowing her to catch small glimpses of him through the trees when the other was not looking. He did not know why he made her sad, but he wished her to know he was there, still protecting her.

  Finally, after taking a few unintentional detours, Ritter and Karyna came within sight of their destination on the third morning after leaving Mirhaven. It was not a sight either of them expected. A thick hedge of thorn bushes ringed the palace. Hanging on the living vines were roses in full bloom, each one turned to stone. Above this thorny barrier they could see that the palace itself had fallen into a sorry state of disrepair. Snaking vines climbed its walls, cracking the stones in various places.

  Ritter glanced at Karyna, his eyes wide. “I thought you said Rivenloch has only been empty for a few years. What happened here?” he asked.

  Karyna felt numb. The palace held many happy childhood memories for her; it was painful to see it so dilapidated. She and Bellenya had spent pleasant summers here when they were younger, visiting Bellenya’s grandmother. Her Majesty Queen Noureen, the dowager queen of Suvall, had always been very kind, and had treated Karyna like a second granddaughter.

  “I have no idea,” she breathed, her heart aching.

  “I’m guessing we need to go inside?” It was not really a question, but Ritter disliked the look of the thorny hedge and was uncertain he trusted the palace not to collapse on top of them once they were inside. “Why would the enchantress bring Bellenya here?”

  “I wish I knew,” Karyna replied. She stared at the thorns before them, feeling overwhelmed. The weight she had struggled to bear since the curse first fell now crashed with renewed power on her shoulders, sending her spiraling down into despair. She had no idea how to proceed.

  Ritter noticed Karyna’s plight. He drew his sword and, in spite of the somber atmosphere that clung to the once-beautiful palace, he threw a grin Karyna’s way. “It’s a good thing I came along when I did,” he teased. “You never would have finished your quest without me.”

  “Apparently your brother got all the humility in the family,” Karyna shot back, just barely refraining from sticking out her tongue.

  Ritter raised an eyebrow and then shrugged. “He can keep it,” he said. “I got all the good looks.”

  Moved by Ritter’s twinkling eyes and casual humor, Karyna’s firm control over her emotions finally snapped. She began to laugh. Many conflicted feelings raged in her breast, a tempest that threatened to overwhelm her though she struggled to regain control. Everything about her journey suddenly seemed absurd. She had traveled all this way because of dreams. If, indeed, the dreams were true, they promised that the enchantress within was wrathful and cruel, and possibly quite mad. The thought of facing such a being, even with Ritter and Barend at her side, frightened her. Even more terrifying was the thought that they would find nothing at all inside. She took a deep breath and managed to stop the fit of hysterical laughter.

  Ritter looked at her askance. “Nothing for it, then.” He grimaced and raised his sword—hoping what he was about to do wouldn’t irreparably damage its blade—and began hacking at the thick, thorny vines.

  Branches fell. Wood chips flew. Ritter chopped and swung his sword, its blade biting into the vines that barred the way.

  “Ritter! Stop!” Karyna said.

  “What is it?” he asked, turning toward her and wiping his face on his sleeve.

  “It’s not working.”

  Ritter looked at the vines. She was right. Branches lay on the ground all around him, but the hedge was just as thick as it had been when he started. He blinked.

  Karyna touched one of the vines gently. “There is magic here,” she said.

  Ritter stuck the tip of his sword in the dirt and leaned on it wearily. “Wonderful. How do you propose we get through it, then?”

  “One moment, please.” Karyna hurried to her horse and rummaged through her saddlebags. She made a triumphant noise and returned wearing her gloves and holding her pruning shears.

  “You thought you might have time for a little gardening on your journey, did you?” Ritter asked, arching an eyebrow.

  “Of course not.” Karyna did not so much as look Ritter’s way, focused on the task at hand. “These were in my satchel already; I forgot to take them out before I left.” She knelt at the base of the nearest rosebush, excitement and nervousness clashing together inside her. She was sure this was the way in, as sure as she had been that Rivenloch was where she needed to go. And yet, the enormity of the task before her was like an insurmountable wall. But she had to try.

  She set to work, removing the dead wood. Ritter helped her pull the dead vines and branches away, tossing them into the forest as Karyna directed. Next she removed the stone roses from the vines with tender care. They might be in full bloom, but she could not believe they were good for the plants. When she finished, she looked with a critical eye at the bush she was tending and began snipping off the tallest branches, giving the bush a more pleasing shape. The thorns rustled and parted, allowing Karyna to enter the barrier and work on the next part of the hedge.

  Ritter made a startled sound behind her. “Did you see that?” he asked.

  Karyna nodded but did not stop. She was wholly focused on her task. It was tedious, exhausting work, but with each bush she tended, the hedge opened a bit more until they emerged on the other side and were standing before the thick wooden doors of the palace. Karyna laid down her shears and pulled off her gloves with a weary sigh. She glanced back, half-expecting to see their passage blocked.

  Behind them, the path remained open, and Karyna was startled to notice that the plants she had so gently tended were already bearing new buds near blossoming. These buds were living, with the barest hint of red petals peeking through. Hope sprang afresh in her heart and she started forward, but Ritter held her back with a steadying han
d on her shoulder.

  “Wait,” he said, and patted the hilt of his sword. “Though it didn’t help against the thorns, perhaps I should go first, just in case.” He pushed the doors open.

  Time had been far kinder to the interior of the palace, though the air was cold and smelled musty. Four lit torches hung in sconces on each side of the large entryway. A suit of armor stood below each torch, all eight polished to a bright shine.

  “Someone has been caring for . . .” Karyna broke off, blinking in disbelief. “Did that suit of armor just move?”

  Ritter eyed the offending knight and then shook his head. “Might have been a draft,” he muttered. “The armor’s empty.”

  Even as he spoke, every helmet in the hall swiveled toward them in sharp, military precision.

  Karyna yelped, her eyes wide. “Are you sure?” A prickling sensation crawled down her spine. The barrier of thorns outside was one thing, but facing suits of armor that moved on their own was quite another.

  “Um.” Ritter drew his sword then motioned with his other hand. “Get back. I’m not sure these empty suits are a threat, but there’s no sense in taking chances.”

  Karyna darted behind him as the “knight” nearest them drew its own sword and stepped away from the wall. Others followed suit, and a wave of terror washed over her. The first knight reached them and swung its sword at Ritter’s head. Ritter ducked and whirled then stabbed his own sword into a vulnerable space under the arm. The knight did not notice but attacked again, swinging its sword with vicious and terrible force.

  “There’s nobody inside!” Karyna shrieked. “You can’t fight as though they can be wounded!”

  “Right,” Ritter shouted back, sounding embarrassed. He brought his sword down again, this time severing the clasps holding the right arm to the breastplate. The arm and sword fell to the ground with a deafening clatter.

  The knight did not acknowledge the loss but continued its determined stride. It punched with its left fist, but Ritter dodged the clumsy blow and swung his sword at the knight’s legs. The entire suit of armor collapsed and rolled across the hall with loud clangs and crashes.

  There was no time to rest, for there were seven more suits of armor converging upon them. Karyna scrambled forward and picked up the fallen knight’s sword. Together, she and Ritter faced their lifeless attackers. The sword was heavy in her hands, and Karyna had no idea what to do with it, but she felt that having a weapon was better than nothing.

  The other suits of armor were quicker than the first, descending upon the two travelers with deadly intent. But Ritter moved like a whirlwind. His sword spun and slashed and sliced through the air with precision and power. Another knight fell to the floor as Ritter parried and dodged and stabbed, all while keeping his body between the enemy and Karyna, shielding her from harm with his every move. Though the knights appeared to have little in the way of initiative, they were many, and Ritter was only one.

  Karyna saw the strike that made it through Ritter’s defense. Crimson blood fell on the white marble of the floor, and Ritter growled in pain, stumbling. The misstep threw him into danger from another knight, and Karyna acted without thinking. She swung her sword like a club at the knight’s legs. Her technique was raw, but her aim was true, and the knight collapsed to the floor, falling to pieces. One of its comrades tripped over the leg of the suit of armor Karyna had felled, and it also clattered to the floor.

  Recovering himself, Ritter faced the remaining four knights. He stood, breathing heavily, and surveyed his opponents. His arm pained him, and he knew he could not face so many opponents alone. A breeze tickled the back of his neck, and an idea lifted his spirits. He let out a shrill, piercing whistle. The knights hesitated at the sound, but when nothing happened, they began to move toward Ritter as one.

  A moment later, Tarak burst into the palace through the still-open door, his hooves clattering on the marble tiles. At a word from his master, the sorrel stallion reared and crashed down on one of the knights, sending it rolling in pieces, while Ritter swiftly took out another. The two remaining knights put up a determined fight, but they were no match for a well-trained warhorse. Ritter and Tarak made short work of them.

  When the last piece of armor lay inert on the ground, Ritter patted Tarak’s cheek, and the horse nickered affectionately. “Thanks, old friend,” the prince said, leaning his forehead against the stallion’s neck. “I owe you one.” Stepping back, he ordered, “Now head on out and tell Pippa what a great hero you are.” He gave the horse’s red rump a parting slap.

  Tarak shook himself with a tremendous rattle of leather and metal then clopped down the front steps with massive dignity.

  Only then did Ritter glance at Karyna. “That was quick thinking back there. Thank you.”

  Karyna dropped her sword, her limbs all atremble. “I, um . . . You’re welcome. You’re hurt?”

  Ritter looked down at the wound on his arm and winced. “It’s not deep.”

  “I’d still like to look at it, if you don’t mind.”

  The prince sank to the floor and submitted to Karyna’s gentle ministrations. He was correct: The wound was not deep, but it was a sizable gash. She bound it tightly with cloth from her satchel.

  “Thank you.” Ritter moved his arm around. It still hurt a bit, but he was satisfied that it wouldn’t be a hindrance. “Well, now we’re inside. Do you have any thoughts on where we should look for the enchantress?”

  Karyna closed her eyes and concentrated, straining to remember every detail of her dreams. A sense of peace flooded through her, and she opened her eyes. “The Queen’s Parlor. It’s at the top of the southeast tower,” she replied. “We should start there.”

  “Lead the way,” Ritter said gamely.

  Karyna led them down lavishly decorated hallways. Everything was just as she remembered it. Tall white columns soared from floor to ceiling. Elaborate chandeliers covered in diamond pendants caught the light streaming in through the large windows and cast sparkles on cream-colored walls. Paintings of roses and forest scenes hung in the rooms they passed. It was all so very familiar. The enchantress did not seem to have disturbed anything. Karyna marveled at how clean the passages were, especially when she considered how hard she and Setella struggled to keep Thorndale Castle in good repair. She had not expected an evil enchantress to be so concerned with tidiness.

  At the end of a hallway, between two large open rooms, they arrived at the base of a spiral staircase. Karyna pointed, indicating their destination, but she paused before beginning the climb.

  “What is it?” Ritter asked quietly.

  “It’s probably nothing,” Karyna replied. “I was just remembering that the Queen’s Parlor was Bellenya’s favorite room. We’d play Nine Men’s Morris and Fox and Geese up there on rainy days, while Her Majesty did needlework and told us stories.” She felt wistful and a little sad, but she straightened her shoulders. “Up we go.”

  “Let me go first,” Ritter murmured.

  Karyna stepped aside, and the prince mounted the stairs, his soft-soled boots making little sound on the steps. Just before she followed him, Karyna caught a glimpse of a dark shape passing outside the window of the room to her right. She knew instinctively that it was Barend, and she was comforted, knowing he was still with them.

  Upon reaching the door at the top of the stairs, Ritter tried the latch. It lifted with ease, and the door swung open on silent hinges. They entered the large room and peered around. The parlor was darker than the rest of the palace, and it took their eyes a moment to adjust to the gloom.

  The interior was far simpler than Karyna remembered. Nearly all the furniture and decor had been removed. A thin pallet lay against the far wall, covered with rumpled blankets. To their right was a wooden table, upon which rested a glass vase.

  And suspended above the vase, as if shunning any attempt at containment, floated a brilliant red rose. The flower cast a soft pink glow around itself.

  Entranced, Karyna crossed the room,
her quest momentarily forgotten at the overwhelming, enchanting beauty of the rose. Without thinking, she reached out her hand to caress its petals.

  “Don’t touch that!” a voice hissed, and what they had taken for a pile of blankets exploded to life and crossed the room with surprising speed. Karyna found herself yanked backwards by a powerful arm around her neck. She tried to pull away, but the hold on her throat tightened.

  “That’s mine,” the voice snarled in her ear.

  Chapter 9

  RITTER RAISED HIS sword, preparing to spring to Karyna’s defense.

  “Take one step and she dies.” The words flew at him like daggers.

  Ritter froze, assessing the scene before him. Karyna’s eyes were strangely calm, cloaked in the steady composure he had grown to admire over the past few days. Holding her by the throat was a pale woman, taller than Karyna by several inches and terribly thin. Long dark hair cascaded over hunched shoulders in unkempt, tangled waves. The remains of an exquisite plum-satin gown hung from her frame in rags and tatters. Her gaunt face was heart-shaped and could have been lovely but for the expression of rage and hatred etched there in harsh lines.

  It was a face Ritter recognized, despite its twisted features.

  “Bellenya?” Ritter’s throat and mouth suddenly went dry. Confusion made his head swim, and the ground beneath his feet seemed to spin. He licked his lips, fighting the sudden throbbing in his temples. “What . . .” He locked gazes with Karyna and saw his own bewilderment mirrored on her face.

  “Drop your sword!” the woman cried, her eyes flashing.

  Ritter complied then raised his hands in a gesture of peace. “We mean you no harm, Bellenya,” he said hoarsely. “We are here to help. Just . . . please, let her go.”

  A rasping, mocking laugh escaped Bellenya’s throat.

  “Bellenya?” Karyna’s voice wavered. “Princess? It’s me. Karyna.”