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Chapter Twenty Six Rosemary's Point of View

Rosemary changed into a rather sturdy outfit consisting of a dark brown vest, a goldish yellow cotton shirt, white trousers, and ink black boots. She abandoned her clothes in her dresser and opened the window to her room.

She repelled the urge to rip the dark blue curtains into shreds, and looked back into her room. She had rolled over the bed and ruffled the covers before splashing water on her washroom counters.

She closed the window behind herself, and looked down. Being on the second floor, she was almost forty feet off the ground. Bushes crowded around the windows, and the cold breeze promised rain.

She sucked in a deep breath, and let go of the window pane.

The feeling of falling was sickening and landed on the pushes on her back. She gasped at the impact, all the air in her lungs gone with a whoosh. She attempted to sit up, but dizziness made her slump back down. She gave herself a few moments to recover before forcing herself to her feet.

She staggered the first few steps but every step after that was natural and flowed easy. Rosemary couldn't comprehend the hurt that filled her, and it drove her forward. With every step, it felt like she was walking away from everything.

From Caroline. From Owen. From Layla, Luna, Mr. Smits, Carla, Marlene, Richard, Lord Frederick, Riley. . .

From Ladron.

I should just go back home. Rosemary didn't bother trying to think hard about her plan. She just needed to get away.

Caroline didn't know her anymore. Rosemary didn't know herself anymore.

Rosemary's hands reached up to smooth down her blond hair and she was confused when she found a pansy in her hair.

That did it.

"Pansy for loving thoughts." Riley explains, and then he gazes at her. "Anything?"

A lump formed in her throat and her vision blurred with tears. Her feet kept moving.

What she held in her hand just gave her more things to walk away from.

Rosemary passed Riley's shop, and she found herself gazing at his empty shop sadly. She bent down to kiss the pansy petals, remembering how Riley had gazed at her when she took the bouquet from him.

Her fingers caressed the pansy softly. She turned the doorknob, and was stunned when the door opened. She had never attempted to open the door, and to learn now that it was never locked-

She stepped in, her eyes watering when she sniffed the air. After two years, the shop still smelled like flowers. More like lemon balms than anything else, Rosemary felt tears drip down her face.

She missed Riley. She missed him dearly.

She had to have a chance to say her 'goodbye'. A proper one.

Then she'd keep walking.

She wandered to the spot where his desk had been, getting on her knees.

"I miss you, Riley." Rosemary sniffled. She touched the floor in front of her, picturing her hand touching his. Why had he gone? Did he think of her?

"Remember when Caroline came to get me, Riley?" Rosemary nearly laughed at the memory. "You. . . You knew she was my sister because she was as bright eyed as me, so you said."

Was Riley even alive now?

"And you gave me pansies, ivy, and lilacs." Rosemary tried to wipe a tear away, but it was useless. Now she knew that it was better to cry everything out than to hold it in. Caroline held it in, and she had nearly ended her life. Rosemary held it in, and she had induced a panic attack trying to save her sister who didn't want to be saved.

"We walked out of your shop, and you . . . You started laughing at me. Those were the only flowers you got to give me, Riley. And I'm sorry." She sobbed, squeezing the flower in her hand. "When I think of you, Riley, all I think about is love. And how wonderful you were to me."

She started laughing again, but the laughter was sad. "You never grew tired of my questions. "I remember when I almost sold myself out about how I felt about you. I remember how you told me to wait. 'For me', you asked. I stopped trying to leave, but then I realize what I meant by going still."

She spoke it clearly.

"I meant that I'd wait for you. And I still am. I'm waiting for my florist because he's the only one who knows how to take care of me."

She put the flower by her hand and then put her hands by her sides.

When she opened her eyes again, she found that she was lying down on the floor. She stood up, and allowed herself to think of the sky. Of the stars.

The emotions of the room crept in.

They were hard to interpret, as no one was in here. The emotions lingered on the walls and in the air.

The room had only seen sadness once, and that was when she had walked in after it had been empty for so long.

She tasted a speck of joy, tempered by affection, and she only had two guesses on whose it was.

Hers.

Riley's.

I'll stay here for a bit.

She soaked in the happiness of the room. Her hand touched the floor where the desk was and she was blinded by how strong the joy was. Riley's?

Had he really been so happy teaching her how to read flowers?

Another lump formed in her throat but she chased it away, forcing Riley's joy into her veins. White spots shone on the walls and she assumed her hair was glowing.

So she could heal herself of emotional pain.

I could help so many people, Rosemary thought to how crestfallen the civilians of Ladron was. She could go around and pluck happiness out of nowhere, and spread it throughout the kingdom.

Happier civilians work longer.

More work meant Ladron would have a chance to turn itself around.

I've got to tell Caroline, if she'll listen.

Rosemary stayed where Riley had been.

She could almost feel him smiling at her.

Azalea's Point of View

Azalea's hand wandered to Fernando's face. His arm around her tightened and for a second, she thought he was awake.

Falling for him?

Everything that falls breaks. Azalea thought fuzzily. Her dark hair seemed shadow-black in the candlelight. Avalyn crouched in front of her, looking at Azalea's face; Avalyn noticed that her greenish gray eyes looked more gray.

I think we won't have to battle. You're moving your hand, not me.

Azalea's hand didn't move away from Fernando's cheek.

Has his skin always been so soft?

Has his love always felt so good? Avalyn grinned impishly.

Why didn't he do this sooner?

You saved Rapunzel. He didn't have that chance.

Avalyn was dismayed when Azalea nodded in understanding. No fighting?

Must I always fight my fate? Azalea looked at Avalyn with clear eyes.

Who are you and what have you done with Azalea?

I am Azalea.

No, you're not. Azalea's trying to kill me all the time. Avalyn scowled, and she actually felt worry. Avalyn and Azalea were really one person. Avalyn was the weaker form of Azalea, the girl who fell for Jacob. Azalea was the strongest form of the two, and she was the one who fell for Nathan.

Maybe she gave up. Azalea said.

Who are you?

You.

Damn. Avalyn rocked back on her heels.

Sad?

Mad. Avalyn frowned. She. . . She was always so strong.

You're stronger. Azalea said, and Avalyn looked at Azalea in confusion.

Where is she?

I don't know. A frown crossed Azalea's face. She's where you were. Purgatory. . .

She's not in there?

Don't you mean, in here? Azalea gestured to the cage.

Did we merge already? Avalyn expected some sort of announcement.

I'm not sure. Azalea's not here.

"Fernando?" Azalea whispered. Fernando roused a little and his gray eyes blinked open.

"Yes, Avalyn?" He looked into her face.

"Are we going to the library tomorrow?"

"Anything you want." He pecked her cheek, and Azalea realized that the bed was still warm from earlier activities. Nothing in her shuddered at the thought and Avalyn grew more worried.

Fernando rolled back over.

"Wait!" Azalea poked him.

"Hm?" He rolled over again, his eyes on hers.

"What happens when we merge?" Azalea said in a quiet voice.

"The two personalities become one. Memories are lost as the merging starts."

"Azalea's gone, so she says." Azalea whispered, feeling fear that didn't feel right.

"She's in purgatory. That's where the real personality goes until the merging is complete."

"She's not here, though. I can't find her."

Fernando frowned. "That's odd. Unless she shares minds with someone, purgatory is where she should be."

"I don't know about sharing minds." Azalea admitted. She snuggled closer to him and surprise lit his eyes. "I feel off."

"How so?"

"Like my feelings aren't mine."

Fernando's hand went to Azalea's stomach. She was three and a half months in and no morning sickness. She waited for the relief to come, and was disoriented when it didn't.

"That changes too. As you merge, you'll feels things that aren't yours; I'm sure their her feelings as time goes on. Sometimes, the feelings will be too strong."

"The girl in the cage is talking like she's me." Azalea nearly growled.

Fernando smiled for a moment. "That's Azalyn."

Azalea. Avalyn. "So we're merging as we speak?"

"It's been long enough." Fernando said.

Azalea?

Try Azalyn. I like that. Azalea smiled.

Azalyn, what have you done with Azalea?

She's not here, Avalyn.

Avalyn gave up.

"One more thing," Azalea asked. Fernando's gray eyes gazed at her in a strange gentle way. Who was he seeing when he looked at her? Avalyn or Azalea?

"What is it, dear?"

"Can she escape from purgatory?"

"Unless she's sharing minds with someone." Fernando said softly.

"So she'd been in their head, and not mine?"

"Correct."

Azalea? Avalyn tried again.

It's Azalyn.

Azalea was gone.

Where?