The Rose and the Briar by J. M. Stengl

Author:J. M. Stengl [Stengl, J. M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rooglewood Press
Published: 2018-10-22T04:00:00+00:00

Rosa slowed to a walk long before the castle gardens came in sight. Her breathing might have calmed if not for some hazy yet disturbing memories of the past half hour . . . Had it been that long? Or had it been longer? And oh! she couldn’t really have said fatuous things about his eyes and smile . . . or had she? She remembered his burning eyes staring into hers, but had he kissed her? Surely she would remember if he had . . . but maybe not. Everything since planting roses seemed vague.

There on the path she stopped to cover her mouth and nose with her hands, closed her eyes, and tried to take deep breaths. Birds chirped in nearby trees, and a breeze rustled the leaves. Laughter, squeals, and the roar of ski-boat engines drifted to her from the lake. Guests had returned to play after lunch.

Am I late to work? A glance at the sky told her she probably was. Of course, the staff knew how to adapt and carry on in her absence. It was the principle of the thing. And to be late because of Javier was galling! Rumors would certainly fly, and to have her name linked with Javier’s would be absolutely the worst.

But she couldn’t face anyone yet. Hearing footsteps, she turned around and hurried back to a picnic table she’d just passed. Guests often sat on the benches to gaze out at the lake and the island. She climbed up to sit on the table with her feet on the bench and tried to look unapproachable.

With no warning, someone came up behind her, climbed onto the table, and sat down next to her, hands clenched between his knees. “Are you all right?”

Startled and irked, she turned to meet Briar’s eyes, which today looked as blue as the lake. His brows drew together, and his mouth quirked into a sort of worried pout. “Are you all right?” he repeated. He was hot and dirty from labor, smelling of horses, pine shavings, and sweat, and there were dark patches on his gray tank shirt. When she didn’t answer, he looked away and pulled off his backwards cap to run his fingers through his hair. Dapples of sunlight reflected off the short gold spikes. He was a mess, and still beautiful. Totally unfair.

“I’m fine,” she sighed. “I just need a moment alone.”

Briar ignored this. “I know about the trap Javier laid for you.” He gazed out at the sirens’ island. “If you don’t report the rat for sneaking enchanted cologne onto resort property, I will.”

Aside from the latent magic she always sensed in him, Rosa had no logical reason to suspect Briar of anything underhanded at this moment. But then something registered in her fuzzy brain. “Enchanted cologne?”

“Laced with a powerful love potion.” Briar nodded. “Illegal pretty much everywhere, but especially here. The rat convinced four interns to help him snag the food and the rest of the setup from the dining hall, then sent one of them to fetch you with a fake story about an escaped topiary.

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