The Firethorn Crown by Lea Doué

hand.
    “One more dance,” Prince Tharius said.
    She stood, holding onto Ivy. “I want to get my sisters home.”
    “Perhaps you would prefer a stroll through the gardens, or a tour of the castle.” He gestured to the icy black structure just visible through a cluster of laurels.
    “You don’t want us to go,” Melantha said. “If we’re free, then what’s stopping us from walking out of here right now?”
    “Of course I don’t want you to go. I’ve been trapped here all my life with my father’s aging followers and imaginary people who look right through me.” His voice grew louder. “Do you think I’m looking forward to seeing all of you disappear through the archway that I cannot pass? I could have kept you here with me, forced your sister’s hand, and marched out of this dungeon tonight.”
    Melantha huffed. She’d seen the pendant appear around her neck, but she still didn’t respect the power behind it. “Then why didn’t you?”
    “My reasons are my own.” He held out his arm to Lily. “The pendants will allow you to leave when your time here is up.”
    Lily let him guide her to the dance floor. “One more dance.”
    Except for Hazel and Ivy, the other girls joined them, the candles blazing like the noon sun after the dimness of the gazebo. Despite his plea for conversation, Prince Tharius contented himself with studying her face and toying with her loose hair. Weary, footsore and heartsick, she made no attempt to draw him out.
    The dance ended, and he led them on a gently curving path back to the archway. Standing on the cool stones with Prince Tharius by her side, she watched the girls’ gowns transform back into their own clothes.
    “You will be careful not to let anyone else become entangled in this curse, will you not? Keep them safe from this place.”
    “Of course.”
    “You will return tomorrow.”
    “Yes.”
    “The time doesn’t matter, as long as it’s before midnight.”
    “Okay.”
    He kissed her fingers and let her go.
    She joined her sisters. Several bounced on their feet and tugged at her in their eagerness to get home. She studied the archway and the prince on the other side. “How will we get back without causing suspicion?” she wondered aloud.
    Prince Tharius grinned. “I suggest you to return the way you came.” He turned and disappeared into the gloom.
    That didn’t help.

Chapter Seven
     
    L ily and the girls trudged up the stairs behind Melantha, holding hands again, an illusion of safety in the gloom. She was grateful for the time it took to reach the maze. Time to adjust to the silence.
    The mirror had vanished, along with the moon, when they emerged into the clear air, but this darkness was not oppressive. After the muted and distorted colors below ground, the palace gardens gleamed in the starlight. The girls separated into twos and threes, hurrying along the lamp-lit paths. On such a fair night, there might be a few people lingering in the intimacy of the shadows.
    Rustling sounded moments before a guard appeared around a hedge. Riva.
    “I’ve found them!”
    Two more guards joined her.
    “Ladies,” she said with a pointed look. “We’re to escort you to the king’s study.”
    Of course they were. This wasn’t going to be easy, no matter what. Lily wished she’d had time to think of a plan. And then what? She had no way to tell the girls if she came up with any ideas. Which she hadn’t.
    Another guard rounded the corner. Eben. He sagged in relief and counted the girls visually before locking his eyes on her.
    Lily squeezed Gwen’s arm.
    “Riva,” Gwen said. “Please inform Mother that we’re headed to our room. I’m sure whatever it is can wait until morning.”
    “With respect,” Riva said, arms folded now, “It’s near midnight, which is near morning, and Her Majesty sent for you two hours ago.”
    They’d been gone that long?
    Lily squared her shoulders and led the girls past Riva and the guards.
    Eben rubbed his jaw, his brows