Page 114 of When Roses Burn

“Oh, please stop talking,” Zephyr whispered.

“I agree with the sprite,” Gizzi said.

I didn’t care who they agreed with as I smiled at Knox. It wasn’t a real smile, and I was sure it looked more like a grimace, but I hoped it annoyed him. I was also very aware I’d probably just got myself locked in the tower again, or at the very least guarded for the rest of my imprisonment here, but I didn’t care.

At least not right now, while I was pissed off and ready to claw out his eyes. I’d probably regret it tonight. However, it was too late to take anything back now.

“Get. Back. To. The. Castle,” Knox bit out. “And use those two little feet to walk yourself there before I drag your ass back.”

I opened my mouth to tell him to fuck off but bit back the words. I didn’t like being ordered around by an overbearing, over-muscled asshole, but I’d really hate having him drag me back to the castle in front of everyone, and he would do it. There was embarrassment, and then there was humiliation; I’d take embarrassment.

“You really are all hairy balls,” I muttered.

Knox’s eyebrows, or at least what passed for eyebrows on the beast, shot up as Zephyr released a choked sound that was either a stifled laugh or a sob. Gizzi sighed loudly in my head.

“What the fuck does that mean?” Knox demanded.

“It means you’re the worst part of the dick!” I snapped as I pushed past him.

I didn’t look at him as I retrieved my basket and gathered the spilled mushrooms. When I finished, I rose and started back toward the castle before stopping when I spotted the fallen tree in the clearing. During my fight with Knox, I’d forgotten all about the creature who caused that.

“There was something out there,” I muttered as I turned to Knox. “Did you see it?”

“It’s gone.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I just am. Now move.”

I bristled at his words but started toward the castle. Instead of going in the direction the trees had toppled and the way I’d come, I turned to the right and headed toward the wall.

He was right, I shouldn’t have been out here, especially when things that could break trees in half lived out here, but he had no right to treat me like a child. I was trying to help him, and he was being an ogre.

I kept my basket before me and my shoulders back as I stalked through the trees. Gizzi remained perched on my shoulder while Zephyr fluttered near my other shoulder, and Knox followed.

I was almost at the wall when I recalled the childlike voice I’d heard. Glancing over my shoulder, I ignored Knox as I studied the forest, but like the creature that broke the trees, the one who spoke to me was also gone.

CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE

Briar

When I reached the wall, I followed it to the open doorway. I took only a few steps back into the castle grounds before I stopped. Dismay filled me as I gaped at the churned-up, ruined earth moss.

I spun toward Knox, who was only ten feet behind us. Most of his face and body had returned to normal, though his claws and some orange fur remained.

“Did you do this?” I demanded.

“Did I do what?” he retorted.

I waved a hand at the ruined moss. The tables had turned, and now I was the irate one. He’d angered me in the woods, but I’d gladly grab his hairy balls and squeeze until they popped over this.

“This! Did you tear it all up with your massive toe claws?”

He scowled at me. “Massive toe claws?”

“What else would you call them? This moss is precious and will be treated with respect! It’s helping to keep the plants and roses alive, and you treated it like garbage! It’s going to take weeks for this to regrow.”

He actually looked a little remorseful as he studied the destroyed moss. Thankfully, he’d only torn a path down to the door and there was still more to work with, but this shouldn’t have happened.