Rosemary Bakshi's Arc

Chapter 6 of 7

Inside the cage, Rosemary held very still. Her fay mother knelt outside the thorns and waved one long claw at the ground. The dirt split open. A pond welled up where there had been none, blue water swirling with pink petals. Her fay father smiled down at her. "Come see, little one. Come see what your brother is doing for you." Rosemary leaned closer to the thorns. In the water, she saw Clove. He was pushing through dark pine branches, calling her name, his shoes muddy and his face scratched. He looked so tired. The water rippled and showed him again, deeper in the forest, turning in circles, lost. "He searches and searches," her fay mother said. Her voice was soft as silk. "And he will keep searching. Unless you help us." She tapped the pond. The image changed. Now Clove stood at the bakery counter at night. His hands were on the proofing box. "He only has to do one small thing. Spoil what their mother bakes. Then we let you both go. Then you can be together." Rosemary understood then. The cage was not just for her. She was the bait. They had her so Clove would finally do what he had refused to do before. Her chest went tight and hot. They had taken her to break him. "No," Rosemary whispered. It was the smallest word, but it was hers. "He won't. And I won't ask him to." Her fay father's smile cooled. The pond went still. The thorns around her drew tighter, and a new bloom opened beside her cheek. She had answered them. Now she would have to live inside that answer.