Heartsease

Chapter Twelve

I wake the next morning, after sleeping in, and find a letter on my nightstand. Opening the letter, a necklace falls into my lap. A simple silver chain, shaved like a vine, with a red stone dangling from the center. Shaped like a rose. It's beautiful. Holding the necklace I read the letter.

"Rosie!"

"I  hope you like the necklace. I found it in town and thought of you. When you wear it, I hope you think of my words. Of what we did together yesterday. I promise to care for you, to take care of you, and to love you until the day I leave this world. This necklace is a physical reminder of my promise to you. I'll hold that promise close to my heart until the day I marry you.

I love you, Rosie."

"~Orsik"

I quickly tuck the necklace and the letter into my satchel. Wrapping the strap over my shoulder, I make my way out of my room. Making my way to Ellanora's chambers I pass more people than normal. Maybe something was planned for today. As I turn the corner I'm grabbed by a guard, "My King! I found her!" He calls out. I turn to look at The King, coming out of Ellanora's chambers and his eyes go wide. Orsik runs out after him, his eyes full of tears and hate when they meet mine. "Take her to the Throne Room. I will deal with her once we are done here." The King tells Orsik, turning back into the room. Orsik grabs my arm, dragging me down the hallways. He says nothing until we reach the Throne Room. He releases my arm and turns to me, tears going down his face, "Why?! After everything that happened between us, between my Mother and you, why?!" He yells, throwing his arms to the side. "She trusted you, I trusted you, my Father trusted you, Rosie! I helped you! I picked the flowers you needed and you turn around and use them to murder my Mother?!" 

At his words, I jerk back. No! She's... She's not dead. I only left her enough powder to help put her to sleep, not even enough to knock her out. Shaking my head as my eyes water, "Orsik, I didn't do this. She asked for something to help her sleep! She must have put more powder in the tea and she's still sleeping. You have to believe me, I didn't kill her." I didn't. I would be dead. My promise to her was sealed by my talent. I know I didn't kill her. My pulse races and I take a step toward him. With every step I take, he takes two back. Putting more distance between us. "I can't explain it but I didn't kill her. I-" Orsik holds his hand out, silencing me. "She never woke up this morning, Rosie. Father called the Palace doctor in, she has no pulse, Rosie. I told you of her fear, and why she never trusted anyone to get as close as you did. And you kill her! You used me to help gather what you needed, used me to get closer to all of us!" He takes a step toward me and I hear a cough. "That is enough, Orsik! Take your leave. Now!" The King says, stepping around us. "Everyone out!"

Orsik storms past me, people filing out of the room behind him. I turn to The King and he looks down at me, his eyes red from crying. "Rosie, my Wife is dead. She passed last night. We have witnesses claiming they saw you leave her room after we left. I allowed you to stay in our home, and get close to the most important person in my life. What do you have to say in your defense?" Tears stream down his face when he mentions his wife. I hold The King's gaze, "King Lijart, I did not kill your wife. She told me she was having trouble sleeping, she was having nightmares. My Mother made me tea made of herbs when I was younger, to help me sleep. The Queen asked me to make her some and permitted me the time to gather the ingredients I needed." My voice shakes. 

The King stares down at me and shakes his head. "Why should I believe you? You left her tea for something she never spoke to me about. If my Wife was having trouble sleeping she would have told me! Do you have any proof of your claims?!" His face has gone red. I glance at my wrist, where my bracelet lies. With a sigh, I unclasp it, letting the thin chain fall from my wrist. My body tingles as the magick falls away, revealing my Sprite form. My ears tingle as the shells form sharp tips. My back aches as my wings, translucent with a purple hue, sprout from my back phasing through my dress. I reach up and pull the collar of my dress to the side showing The King my seal. "A Sprite.." He says in a low voice. He turns, shaking his head, "It's... impossible. She said there were no more. Said they were sent off, far away from the kingdom." The King faces me again, staring into my eyes. "Where did you come from?"

"A forest, about a days travel from here. My Father was murdered by Hunters. I left home. No one knows where I went. The Queen knew. She figured it out the day she found me. I have no idea how she knew." I tell him, my words seeming to spark something in him. "Rosie, she knew because she was a Sprite. She gave up her form to become Queen. She told me of the ways of her people, of their powers and seals. That is why she trusted you... You didn't kill her. That day you swore your trust to her you sealed your words. I believe you, Rosie. But no one else will. You must leave the palace. No one will find out anything about you. I cannot seal my words in the same way but on my name as King, I will tell no one. Leave, I will call the guards in here to give you time to gather your things. Quickly, Rosie. Go."