Roses in Winter
Page 13
The fabrics swirled about them, more and more being pulled from the air to twist around their bodies. Swaths of gold and embroidered brocades curled and drifted in and out of their arms, weaving them in a cocoon of soft cloth. Threads of silk and patches of linen worked their way together and were joined by yards of satin which settled around their bodies.
Both of them sank to their knees, holding each other close. The fabric began to grow warm and the heat seemed to fill the room. Edward knew that every ounce of his mother’s essence was in the linens and silks, enveloping them in her love.
And then she was gone.
When the fabrics stopped moving and grew cold once again, they began to fall away to the floor. Edward looked to Alina. She had changed, and from the way that Alina looked back at him, he knew that he had too.
Her pale blonde hair was no longer short, but cascaded down her shoulders like it had before. The pain was gone from her eyes and he knew without looking that the stripes on her back were gone.
She looked up at him unbelieving and slowly raised a hand to his face to run her fingers over his scars. But when she touched him, there was only smooth skin. He ran his own hands over his face, feeling the soft flesh where before there had only been thick webs of skin. Alina pulled at his clothes, untucking his shirt and pulling it up until she could see his bare chest. The burn marks were gone and only smooth, healthy skin remained.
His mother had used the remainder of herself to remove the last mark his father’s violence had left in this world.
Alina seemed to remember her bandages as well and reached her arms around to feel her back. She seemed surprised when she didn’t feel any pain, and then noticed the long locks of hair spilling over her shoulders.
She embraced Edward, and he wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her hair. They held each other tight, still enveloped in the nest of fabric around them. His heart was heavy with the knowledge that his mother was gone, but content that she was finally able to move on and find her peace.
Alina curled against his chest, holding him like she’d never let go. The sun peaked out from the clouds again, shining through the window and bathing them in its warm light.
Outside, the snow began to melt.
Chapter Fifteen
Spring came early to the mountainside and with it, a fresh start.
Alina sat in the gardens, a cloak around her shoulders to cover her white dress. The scarlet roses bloomed beautifully all around the gardens, their vines overwhelming some of the statues and other greenery. It seemed that the new gardener hadn’t yet gotten around to cutting them back.
The manor house was fully staffed again, with sweet smells constantly wafting from the kitchens. Maids had been hired and everything had been polished clean and returned to its former glory. Edward had even written to a luthier who had come to replace the old strings on his cello.
Alina’s father sat beside her on the stone bench—the same one where she’d learned Edward’s secrets.
“I need to apologize to you,” her father said, and she could see that he was holding back tears. She hadn’t divulged the details of her marriage to Rodderick to him, but she suspected that he had guessed the truth. Stories spread and what had happened in the village had been the talk of the province.
“Papa, you couldn’t have known.”
“I was scared of my failures and my debts. When a solution was presented, I gave my daughter’s hand to a stranger to save myself. It was the worst mistake of my life. I never should have let fear cloud my judgement and I know that you got hurt because of it.”
Alina looked to him and smiled kindly, raising her hand to her father’s cheek to wipe away a tear that had escaped his eye.
“I don’t blame you for any of it,” she said. “We all thought Rodderick would take care of me. There was no way to know what he was really like. Besides, all of that is in the past. No matter what happened, we are here now.”
“Edward is a good man. I can see that he only wants what’s best for you,” her father said, a little smile showing through his tears. “But if anything ever goes wrong, know that you have a place to go. I will always welcome you back into my home.”
Alina gave her father a little hug.
“Thank you, Papa. I think this time will be different, but it means the world to me that you care so much. Edward told me how you practically interrogated him on your first night here,” she said smiling. “I’m glad you approve of him.”
“Do you love him?” he asked, composing himself and wiping at his cheeks with a handkerchief.
“With all of my heart and soul,” Alina said smiling. She’d never felt so much joy. Edward had told her that he loved her every day since the curse had been broken. And not just with his words. It seemed to be in everything he did, from the way he spoke to her to the way he touched her. He had even arranged for them to travel to see her grandparents, knowing how much it would mean to her to see them and the country where she was born.
“As long as you’re happy,” he said. “Your sisters are quite taken with him too. And this place. I suspect I’ll have a hard time convincing them to leave when it’s time to go.”
“You’re always welcome here. Please, come and stay whenever you’d like. I don’t ever want to be separated from my family again.”
Her father nodded his thanks to her invitation.
A servant appeared on the garden path and gave a short bow.
“It’s time,” her father said and they both stood from the bench. He helped Alina take off her cloak and handed it to the servant before extending his arm for her to take. She tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and they walked back into the manor where everyone was waiting.
When they entered the hall, a maid laid out the long lace train of her white dress. Another handed her a bouquet of red roses before straightening the flowers that had been woven into her hair.
“You look so much like your mother,” he said and kissed her cheek.
They approached the ballroom and the doors were opened for them revealing a long aisle between rows of chairs. At the end, in front of a wall of flowers, Edward stood. He was dressed in his usual black suit and looked more handsome than ever before. Someone started playing music, but Alina’s eyes didn’t leave his. Her father escorted her down the aisle until Edward could reach out and take her hands in his. He smiled at her, his dark eyes overwhelmed with love and excitement. Everyone else in the room seemed to melt away until he was the only one she could see.
Alina took her place beside Edward—where she intended to stay for the rest of her life.
The End
Thank You
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for reading Roses in Winter. If you enjoyed Edward and Alina's story, please consider leaving a review, recommending this book, or lending it to a friend. As an independent author, word of mouth can be incredibly helpful to me.
Love,
Penelope
About the Author
Penelope Daniels has been in love with romance novels since she started smuggling home 10¢ thrift store purchases as a teenager. After writing short stories for over fifteen years she finally buckled down and did all the hard parts to bring you her first novel. When not thinking about a new love story she enjoys watercolor painting and picnicking in the park. Penelope lives in Northern Utah with her best friend and several furbabies.
You can follow Penelope Daniels on Goodreads and Bookbub to see her other books and get updates on new releases.
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