The Rose Society

Violetta, Violetta,” I cry, my voice hoarse, too quiet for her to hear. “Come back. I’m sorry. It was a mistake. Don’t leave me here.”

Silence.

You’re all I have. Please don’t leave me here

You don’t need your power to lead this country.”

This is impossible,” I whisper.

Violetta’s voice trembles. “Raffaele is saying that all of us, all Elites, are in danger.”

That we are doomed to be forever young.

You’re telling me this because you think I love him?”

“I’m telling you this because he calms you,” she says, her tone uncharacteristically sharp and biting. “You’re going to need it.”

Let him in,” she says. “I know you’re holding back.” She stares out at the long, empty expanse of the chamber. “Keep him close. His love is light, and it calls out the light in you.” Her eyes come to settle on me

He cares for you, you know.” Violetta turns her head briefly in the direction of the closed doors. “Magiano. I’ve seen him standing guard outside your door, making sure you aren’t having another nightmare or an illusion.”

Her words sink in, and I find myself looking at the closed doors too. I wish I hadn’t sent him away to the treasury. I would have asked him why he told me to be careful, what he sees when he looks at me. Why his expression had seemed so sad.

“I know,” I say.

“Do you care for him?”

“I don’t know how to,” I reply.

Violetta gives me a sidelong look. I know she can hear in my voice the evidence that he means more to me than I’m revealing.

but pauses for a moment to look back at me. His smile wavers.

“Adelina,” he says. “Be careful.”

Then he leaves us, and I miss him instantly

Magiano just shrugs. He studies me for a brief moment. What does he see? Then he utters a small laugh. “Just point me in the direction of the royal treasury, Your Majesty,” he says, waving a hand in the air. He turns away as he speaks, but not before I catch a hint of sadness on his face. “Then you’ll always know where to find me.”

I return his smile with my own bittersweet one.

There is no question that we are enemies now. Shields go up over my heart, and my alignment to passion flickers lower, dying. It is the only way to protect myself.

So I don’t reach out for Magiano’s hand

I want to reach out for Magiano’s hand too, as if he could pull me back