Chapter 7
“Rose!”
On horseback, Giles approached, his war mare walking a slow, steady pace. Behind him, bound by the wrist and to each other, shuffled every last one of the bandits—minus their king, of course.
Rose ran to Giles, arms outstretched, her cries of joy producing the finest diamonds the realm had ever seen. The reunion was so tender that the villagers averted their gazes, although they still managed to collect the gems from the road.
When they broke their kiss, Giles plucked a diamond from his mouth.
The villagers cheered.
Giles led the bandits to the Lord Mayor of Flane, and Rose found Gemma.
She stood close and whispered her words. The air was thick with sadness and the sound of seed pearls rattling in Gemma’s pockets.
“Come with us, sister.” Rose gripped her hands. “I
