Black Rose by K.L. Bone Read Free Book Online Page A

through the scattered roses, taking with it Sandra’s vision.
The cold wind caressed her skin, blowing the tears from her deep blue eyes.

Chapter XIII
    “Yes,
Nolan,” Garreth said to the younger man.
    “Forgive
me for disturbing you.”
    “Not
at all. What can I do for you?”
    “I
was hoping you could explain a few things.”
    “About
Mara?”
    Nolan
nodded hesitantly, as though unsure if he was crossing a line. “I know that
something happened between her and Captain Edward, but I am not sure if I
understand.”
    “You
don’t.” Garreth motioned to the wooden chair beside him. Nolan took several
steps forward and took the offered seat. 
    “Tell
me, Nolan, have you ever had a great love? One that burned you through and
through? Stole your heart in a way that you knew you could live a thousand
years and it would never be the same? A love you would give your life for and
know that the one single moment of happiness received in return would be worth
all the years of living without?”
    Nolan
shook his head. “I can’t say that I have.”
    “Nor
have I.”
    Seconds
of silence passed between them before Nolan said, “But I would like to know why
both you and Mara have asked me the same question.”
    “I’ve
never had a love like that, Nolan,” Garreth said to the younger man. “But I
have seen it.”
    “With
Edward? Mara loved him?”
    “Oh
yes. Mara loved Edward.”
    “Then
why?”
    A
glassy look came over Garreth’s expression. “Mara loved Edward and Edward loved
Mara. But not as much as they both loved another. I have seen things, Nolan.
Things that dazzle, things to dread, but never in my life have I ever seen
anything that haunts me as much as the power of one, true love. It was
magnificent, terrifying and something that I have spent my life both dreaming
of finding and dreading the day that I do.”
    “Wait,
I don’t understand,” Nolan interrupted. “They loved another?  Who?”
    Garreth
did not move his gaze from the wall. “Her name was…” His words trailed
off.  “She was…” He could not bring himself to say it. Then Garreth
visibly shook himself. “It was a long time ago. It doesn’t matter anymore. Mara
is gone now.  It is for the better, I think. Yes, for the better of all.”
    “I
don’t understand. Why did Mara act so strangely? Why did she leave without
telling anyone?”
    Garreth’s
eyes finally moved to meet Nolan’s. “I’m afraid I cannot tell you that. I
shouldn’t have mentioned it. It is forbidden, you see, to speak of it.”
    “To
speak of what?”
    “Forbidden
love,” he offered with a bitter smile, the slightest curve of the lips.
    “Forbidden
love?”
    Garreth
nodded. “It is forbidden, you see. What happened that night was the greatest
tragedy this court has ever seen. And I am forbidden to even tell you her name.
All you need to know, is that the girl in the room that night wasn’t Mara. You
must forgive her for losing her temper. Edward and Mara are never together, and
for good reason. Live a few hundred years and you will see. It is for the
best.”
    Silence
followed as Nolan rose to leave the room. When he reached the door, he stopped
and turned back toward Garreth. “May I ask just one question, my Lord?”
    Garreth
nodded slowly in consent.
    “Does
he still love her?”
    “Edward?”
    “Yes.
Does he still love her?”
    Garreth
raised his head to stare up at Nolan from his seated position. “He will love
her until he draws his last breath.”
    Nolan
nodded and then left the room. As the door closed with a soft click behind him,
Garreth whispered under his breath, “Liza…with his last breath.”

Chapter XIV
    They
plunged into darkness, sinking ever deeper into the ancient tunnels of black
stone. The twin flashlights held by Regald and Sandra provided the only visible
light. “I would have waited for daylight,” Regald explained, “but it would not
have mattered. We are too far down for sunlight to filter through.”
    “Why
did