Red Rose Rising

by A J Manney

  In the blink of an eye, Valen had crossed the distance between them and put his mouth over hers, effectively silencing her. He kissed her long and hard. She responded to his kiss and kissed him back. He pulled back too soon, and Zalia breathlessly looked up at him. Her brain was a little fuzzy at the moment.

  He reached up and cradled her face in his hands. “I do like you. I like you a lot. And we are going to bond. We need to bond before I leave. I need to know you’re safe. Also, the bond will help ground you if you do any healings while we are separated. I think it may help with your nightmares too. You seem to do better when I am around, so maybe our link will help keep your nightmares away. I have to plan with Beckam and your grandfather, but after that, we are bonding. So, do whatever you need to do to talk yourself into it.”

  Zalia couldn’t think of anything to say, so she just stupidly nodded. He bent down and kissed her lightly on the lips. “I have to go now. I’ll be back to take you to dinner. Rest while you can, okay?”

  Again, Zalia just nodded. She was going to have a full-blown panic attack, but she would wait until he was gone to do it. He studied her for a moment longer before turning and walking back into his room. He called out before he left, “Lock the door behind me, and keep your dagger on you at all times.”

  “I will,” Zalia called out weakly. She stayed where she was until she heard the door open and close behind him. Then she walked over to the bed and lay down on her back. What am I going to do? She groaned to herself. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Valen. She liked him a lot. Sometime over the course of the last few months, she had given much of her heart away to him. She just felt so on edge with him. He seemed to be attracted to her, but would he be if she didn’t wear his marks? She lay there for a few more minutes before hearing a knock at the door.

  She walked to the door and heard Raven call her name. She opened the door to her friend. Zalia walked in carrying a beautiful black dress. Zalia’s interest was piqued. “What’s the dress for?”

  Raven laid it carefully down on Valen’s bed and spun around to give Zalia a hug. “It’s for my best friend to wear for her bonding ceremony.”

  “And just like that, I can’t breathe again,” Zalia grumbled. Raven stepped back and looked at her compassionately.

  “How are you doing with all this?” she asked Zalia.

  Zalia just moaned. “I think I am going to be sick.”

  Raven walked over to a chair and sat in it. “Are you scared?” she asked quietly.

  “Of Valen? No, I know he would never hurt me. I mean, he does scare me sometimes but not that he would ever do anything to harm me. I’m more scared that I am going to lose my heart to somebody that doesn’t love me back.”

  Raven looked up at her. “I think he loves you.”

  Zalia looked at her in surprise. “Half the time he can hardly stand me.”

  Raven shook her head. “No, I’ve been watching the two of you for a long time. I think he loves you but is careful to not show you too much. If you could have seen the look on his face when Edgar was flirting with you, you would know what I’m talking about. That was not the look of a man who can’t stand you.”

  “He hated me for so long that it’s hard to get used to anything different,” Zalia said.

  Raven shook her head again. “No, I don’t think he ever hated you. I think he was attracted to you from the very beginning but couldn’t allow himself to be. He dutifully waited for the woman bearing his marks. Then he found out it was you, and he allowed himself to have those feelings. By then, though, you were convinced he hated you. So, it has been a difficult road for both of you.”

  Zalia was quiet for a moment. “He’s never said he loves me,” she said quietly to Raven.

  Raven sighed. “I’m sorry. Maybe he’s waiting for you to say it first. Maybe he needs to know you’re okay with all this.” She sighed. “What do I know? I’m single. I’ve never even had a guy interested in me. So maybe I'm way off track, but I really don’t think I am.”

  Zalia thought for a moment. “I do know that Valen is never going to be super expressive in his love. He's going to be more of the protector kind of lover. Maybe you’re right. Maybe he’s waiting on me, too scared of giving me more than I am ready for.”

  Raven stood up. “Well, we have a bonding ceremony to get ready for. We need to get to it.”

  Zalia looked at her. “It’s after supper isn’t it? I have plenty of time.”

  Raven frowned at her. “We are going to need those few hours to get you looking your best. You are tying your life to the tall, dark, and handsome Prince. You need to make this memorable. You’re skipping dinner to beautify yourself. Beckam told me the ceremony will be right after supper. So, we have less than three hours.”

  Zalia spun around. “I’d better get started on a bath. Where is the ceremony going to be? Do you know?”

  Raven was already busy pulling out supplies to make Zalia beautiful. “I think it’s going to be outside by the fountain.”

  Chapter 22

  The next three hours flew by. Two hours in, Valen knocked on the door because Raven locked it. Raven met him at the door and told him he wasn’t allowed to come in. Zalia heard her tell him that she was getting ready for the binding ceremony and wouldn’t be attending dinner. Zalia couldn’t hear his low response from where she stood in her room, but it was obvious he was not happy. Somehow Raven worked her magic and got him to leave. He told Raven he would be back in forty-five minutes.

  Now, it was just a few minutes before that time. Zalia stood in front of the mirror, taking in her appearance. The dress Raven had brought was black, a tribute to Astra. She felt it only right since Zalia was marrying their prince. Zalia had been skeptical at first, but now as she looked at it, she realized Raven had made the right choice. The dress had a rounded neckline that came just to the tip of her shoulders, and the back was rounded, leaving her marks on display. It had long sheer sleeves. The top was fitted, forming a V-shape at the waist. The dress was long, and the lower half had a sheer overlay. Tiny crystals embedded in the dress made the dress appear to shimmer as Zalia walked. The dress flowed around her elegantly. Raven piled Zalia’s curls on top of her head and left a few down around her face. The effect was elegant and regal, a look befitting a princess. Raven helped redden up Zalia’s lips with a red stain. The black dress paired well with Zalia’s light-colored skin and dark curls. She was pleased with how everything turned out.

  As she stood staring into the mirror, she started thinking about what she was going to do. Then the panic started. With working so hard to get ready all afternoon, she hadn’t had time to think about it but now all her doubts and fears came flooding in.

  I’m going to be tied to him forever. Maybe this is a mistake. Zalia heard a knock at the door. Raven looked to her. “You look exquisite, Zalia. I love you. I am so happy for you,” she said and hugged Zalia. She stepped back and looked her in the eye. “You are going to be fine. It will all work out. Now take a deep breath and be the strong, confident princess you are.” Raven’s words brought calm to her heart. Raven turned and walked away to let Valen in. She heard Valen’s low voice and just like that, the panic came flooding back. She couldn’t catch her breath. There was a roaring in her ears that was getting louder by the second. She needed to get away, to run. She turned around and froze. Valen stood there silently taking her in. He was dressed in his royal attire. He looked devastatingly handsome in his black pants and white tunic top. He wore his black robe and had his sword strapped to his back. He looked every inch the Warrior Prince.

  He stared at her with his unrelenting dark eyes. He stepped forward slowly until he was standing directly in front of her. He took a deep breath and seemed to be struggling with what to say.

  Zalia was crestfallen. “It’s the dress, isn’t it? Raven told me I should wear black, but that was a bad idea. I can change. It will only take me a moment. I can just...”

  “Please don’t change,” he said. His voice was lo
wer than usual and a little husky. “You look beautiful. Can you turn around?”

  Zalia nervously turned around slowly, presenting her back to him. She felt him caress his marks on her back. After a moment, he put his hands on her shoulders and gently turned her around. He stared down into her eyes. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen,” he said huskily. Then he bent his head slowly and kissed her. It was brief, but it seemed to settle them both. He pulled back and looked down at her. “Are you ready?”

  Zalia was still trying to catch her breath, so she simply nodded. Valen walked toward the door and held it open for her. Once they were in the hall, he held out his arm to her. She placed her hand in the crook of his elbow, and he pulled her close. She felt absolutely regal, walking arm-in-arm with Valen down the hall. They walked outside together and Zalia saw some people gathered around the fountain up ahead. She caught her breath. She didn’t know people were going to be watching. She thought it was just a private ceremony. She started panicking. She couldn’t do this. She started to pull her arm away from Valen’s, but he wouldn’t let her.

  He stopped and turned towards her. “Zalia, everything is going to be okay; I promise. Nothing is going to happen tonight. It’s just a bonding ceremony.” He paused for a moment. “Can you tell me why you’re so scared?” He asked her quietly. Nobody but Zalia could hear him.

  Zalia looked up at him. “I’m not scared,” she whispered to him.

  “Sweetheart, you’re shaking like a leaf,” he said in concern. “Tell me what’s wrong, so I can help fix it.”

  Zalia looked up at him, suddenly feeling bolder. “Do you love me? Or are you just doing this because I have your mark?” She held her breath, scared to hear his answer.

  He locked eyes with her and looked at her intensely. “I love you, Zalia. I have been unwilling to say it to you because I didn’t want to scare you away. I have loved you for a long time but wouldn’t act on it because I couldn’t. Once I found out you bore my marks, I didn’t want to scare you away with the intensity of my feelings. So, I just kept them to myself. I can see now I shouldn’t have. The last thing I wanted was for you to doubt my love.”

  With that, the panic slid away and was replaced by tears. “Oh Valen,” she said through her tears. He pulled her tightly to his chest.

  He simply held her for a moment. Then he stepped back and looked into her eyes. “Are you ready to do this, my love?”

  Zalia smiled up at him and placed her arm back in his. “Yes, my Prince. I am.”

  Together, they walked to the fountain where a few people were gathered. Her grandfather stood there surrounded by the smiling faces of Reid, Raven, Beckam, and Henrietta, the healer. Several armed guards stood around the perimeter, but they had their backs to them. Zalia looked at each person gathered there and smiled at them.

  Valen walked them over to her grandfather. Zalia released his arm for a moment to reach out and give her grandfather a hug. He looked at her seriously. “Are you okay with this, Zalia?”

  Zalia smiled at him. “I am. I really am.”

  He smiled at her. “Well then let’s get this ceremony started. Valen and Zalia, you stand here in front of me and join hands.”

  Zalia swallowed. It felt like a wedding ceremony after all. She looked up at Valen, and he eyed her with concern. Zalia forced a smile up at him. His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t say anything. He knows me so well, she thought to herself with a smile.

  Seeing her smile for real, Zalia could tell Valen relaxed. He stroked both his thumbs over the tops of her hands as he held her hands for the ceremony.

  The ceremony was a blur to Zalia. She had a hard time focusing with Valen looking so intently at her and rubbing her hands so intimately. Her grandfather talked about the bond between a royal and the one who bears his marks. He talked about what the bond entails and how it would take place. Finally, it was time to get to the actual bonding. Zalia looked away from Valen to focus on her grandfather. He pulled a dagger from his waistband. Zalia took a deep breath, knowing what was coming.

  “I need both of you to hold out your right wrist,” her grandfather said. Valen and Zalia did. Zalia noticed hers was slightly shaking. Her grandfather looked at her. “Zalia, I’m not sure exactly what will happen to your healing powers when you bond. I’ve never seen anyone bond with your powers before. We will just deal with it as it happens.”

  Zalia nodded. She glanced at Valen. His jaw was tight. Her grandfather stood beside them and said, “This bond will forever bind the spirit of Zalia, daughter of King Warren of the Kingdom of the Red Rose to Valen, son of King Mylan of the Kingdom of the Dark Moon.

  Then he slit each of their wrists quickly. Zalia grit her teeth against the pain. Zalia’s instantly started glowing blue and little blues wisps floated up from her cut. She turned to Valen, alarmed. He looked to her grandfather. Her grandfather just motioned them together. Zalia turned her wrist to line up with Valen’s. As soon as their wrists touched, a jolt hit them both hard. It was powerful enough that Zalia would have fallen backward if Valen hadn't grabbed her around the waist with his non-injured arm.

  After the jolt, the blue sparks seemed to intensify instead of fade. Then they burst a bright blue color and slowly faded away. Zalia stood still. Henrietta came over as soon as they were done and put a healing salve on Zalia’s wrist. Zalia reached for Valen’s wrist to heal it, but he pulled away. She frowned up at him. He looked down at her and said quietly, “I want the scar.” Then he held out his wrist for Henrietta to put salve on it. The moment she was done, he drew Zalia gently into his arms and kissed her. Everybody watching broke into cheers and whistles. Zalia pulled back and blushed.

  You’re so beautiful when you blush. Zalia froze. She looked up at Valen. He smiled down at her. Zalia continued looking at him while she tried out the connection.

  Valen? she called out tentatively in her head.

  It's me. What do you think? he asked.

  It’s amazing. Will we always be able to talk to each other this way or is there a distance where it no longer works? she asked.

  It will always work, he said in her head. Then he smiled down at her. Come on, beautiful, let’s head back to our room.

  Valen walked over to thank Zalia’s grandfather. Zalia was so happy in that moment. The next moment, everything went disastrously wrong.

  There was a loud battle cry as soldiers came up over the wall in an attack. Valen shoved Zalia behind him and drew his sword. The warriors from Cascadia converged from all directions to take on the threat. Zalia withdrew her dagger from under her dress and held it in her hand. It didn’t take long for her to be separated from Valen. A soldier came up behind her, but Zalia heard him coming. She spun around and dodged the sword blade he thrust at her. Zalia kept moving around, using her quick feet to keep her out of the way of the blade. Her dagger wasn’t going to help her with this. She wouldn’t be able to get close for a killing blow because of his sword. Zalia saw her chance a moment later when he was fully extended. She went low and kicked his legs out from under him. He went down hard, and she followed with a killing blow to his heart. There was no time to think. Two soldiers came at her as she stood up. She quickly grabbed the sword from the fallen man and swung it around. It took her only a moment to get used to the different feel of it. It wasn’t much heavier than the sword Valen had her practice with. She would have been okay with one soldier, but two was not quite her speed. Zalia knew she was going to be in trouble soon. Just as she was starting to feel desperate, Valen moved in front of her and killed both men. He whirled for a second, “Are you okay?”

  “Yes,” Zalia said breathlessly. Then they were separated again. Another soldier came towards her and Zalia fought against him. As soon as she killed him, another took his place. She killed him quickly. She was feeling pretty confident in her abilities when all of a sudden, she felt a sharp pain in her side. She looked down and saw an arrow sticking out. Shock held her in place for a moment, then she collapsed to her knees. She
couldn’t move. She felt herself being dragged away from the fight into the shadows of the castle. She looked up as Raven’s face swam before her eyes.

  Zalia! What happened? Where are you? Zalia heard Valen’s panicked cry in her head. She wanted to answer him but couldn’t form the words. She was losing consciousness fast.

  I’ve been hit, she said to him weakly. I’m by the wall, she managed to say to him.

  I’m coming, he said. She looked up to see him battling his way through soldiers. He was cutting down anyone that stood between him and Zalia. He was furious. Zalia hoped Beckam’s warriors stayed out of his path, or he would kill them too.

  Soon he was kneeling next to her. He shook his head, and his eyes cleared a little. He sucked in a sharp breath when he saw her wound. “Zalia,” he breathed. He looked into her eyes. “It’s going to be okay. Just stay awake for me.” Zalia felt herself fading fast. She looked down as he grasped the arrow. He looked up into her eyes. “This is going to hurt. I’m sorry.” Then he yanked out the arrow. Zalia screamed in pain. He put his hands over her wound to stop the blood. He looked up in shock at her. Blue light began to show beneath his hands. His panicked eyes looked up to Zalia. “What do I do?” he asked. Zalia was barely hanging on to consciousness.

  “Just hold it there,” she said faintly. The pain intensified, then started to fade. Zalia closed her eyes and willed her body to relax. After a few minutes, the pain was gone. Zalia looked up in shock at Valen. She quickly remembered the battle and looked over his shoulder.

  “It’s over,” Valen said darkly. “Let’s get you inside,” he said.

  Chapter 23

  Valen gently picked her up and began carrying her inside the castle. If Zalia hadn’t watched what played out, she would have never believed it. “I can’t believe you healed me!” she said to Valen.