The White Rose Read Online Free PDF Page B

Ash’s profile is black against the darkness as he stares up at the ceiling. “But must I betray her confidence because you don’t like her?”
    I don’t know what to say to that. I guess I always assumed Ash hated Carnelian as much as I do.
    He sighs. “It isn’t about keeping secrets from you. Carnelian is . . . extremely sad. And that sadness has been twisted into bitterness and anger. I don’t wish to be another in a long line of people who have let her down, even if she would never know the difference.”
    I thread my fingers through his. “You don’t have to be so noble.”
    “Not at all. I . . . I understand her a bit.”
    “Well, someday, you’ll have to explain her to me.”
    I hear footsteps outside. Ash and I scramble to our feet, but we don’t have a chance to hide again before the door opens and the light switches on.
    Lucien enters the room. He wears his usual white dress with the high lace collar, his chestnut hair in a perfect topknot on the crown of his head, indicating his status as a lady-in-waiting. And it means more for him than it does for a female lady-in-waiting—male ladies-in-waiting are eunuchs, castrated so as to be considered “safe” to work alongside royal women.
    A large satchel hangs from one shoulder. His eyes move from me, to Ash, to Raven, and back to me. He shows no surprise at seeing two more people than he expected—hemust have talked to Garnet.
    He closes the door and puts the satchel down. With measured steps, he walks up to Ash, grabs him by the throat, and slams his head against the wall.
    “Lucien!” I cry.
    “Is it true?” he snarls. Ash looks dazed. I grab the arm that isn’t holding Ash’s throat and pull.
    “Stop it!”
    Lucien turns on me. “Do you know what they’re saying?” he hisses. “They’re saying that this piece of trash raped you.”
    “What?” I gasp.
    Ash comes back to his senses. In one lightning-fast movement, he grips Lucien’s wrist and twists it. Lucien cries out in pain as Ash bends his arm back in a way that makes Lucien bow forward.
    “What did you say?” Ash growls. I’ve never seen him use physical force like this before.
    “Release me,” Lucien barks.
    “Ash!” I cry.
    “He believes it. Do you see, Violet? He believes it.” He bends Lucien’s arm back a little more.
    “And why shouldn’t I?” Lucien says. “I know what you do, what you really do. All you companions, with your charming smiles and your filthy minds. I should never have let you get near her.”
    Ash yanks Lucien’s arm again. “You don’t know anything about me.”
    “I know you sleep with more women in a year than most men do their entire lives.”
    “And you think I enjoy it? Or are you just jealous that I can?”
    At that, Lucien lets out a strangled yell and rips his arm from Ash’s grasp. But Ash is too quick. In a second, he has Lucien pinned against the wall, his forearm cutting across Lucien’s throat.
    “Ash, you’re hurting him,” I say. He turns his head to meet my gaze. “Please, stop. Let him go.”
    Reluctantly, Ash relaxes his arm and back away. Lucien leans against the wall, massaging his shoulder.
    “Ash would never touch me against my will, Lucien,” I say.
    “Well, I’d like to think you’re not stupid enough to do it on your own.”
    “When will you stop?” Ash interrupts, taking a step forward. His face is flushed, making the bruise stand out sharply on his cheekbone. I immediately put myself between them as a physical barrier. “You’re not her father. You don’t get to lecture her about what she does.”
    “I think I know a little bit more about what’s best for her than a companion,” Lucien retorts.
    “In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m not a companion anymore,” Ash says coldly.
    “Enough,” I say, pulling Lucien away from Ash. “You two can fight all you want once we’re out of this awful place, but there are more important things to discuss right now. What’s the plan?”
    Lucien