Page 112 of The Throne Seeker

“Gods, could you be more perfect?” he whispered groggily.

“Rose!” her mother yelled across the grassy grounds. “You two aren’t married yet! Keep a proper distance, please,” she scolded, but Rose knew her mother—underneath the scolding words, she was glowing inside.

Grant gave a harsh laugh as he stood with ease. Reluctantly, he let Rose’s legs slide to the ground but he kept her close, placing his lips back on hers with another light kiss.

“I should go,” Grant said, gesturing to his parents. “I have to have one more talk with my parents, but promise me you’ll meet me tonight? At the beach at sundown.”

She nodded, knowing exactly what he was hinting at. “I will.”

He flashed his white teeth at her as he kissed her hand. “I’ll see you then.”

CHAPTER 48

Afew hours later, Rose’s mother helped her into a different dress and recruited Thea to do her hair and makeup.

“I can’t believe how well this is working out,” her mother said, practically singing as she set out a pair of shoes, then moving to straighten out a red dress for her to wear. “I couldn’t have planned it all better myself.”

Rose rubbed her lips together after Thea put on a gloss. “Do you think his parents like me?”

Her mother took the dress off the hanger. “Oh yes! I just know they adore you. So much so, in fact, his father asked me today if it would be alright if we could have the ceremony as soon as possible. You’re going to be the mistress of Montague Manor, my dear.”

Rose’s smile lasted only a few seconds before her eyes fell to the vanity.

Her mother noticed the change. “Thea, could you give us a moment?”

Thea gave them a small bow and exited the room.

Her mother waited until she heard the door click shut. “Are you having second thoughts? Because if you are?—”

“No.” Rose cut her off before she could go off on a tangent. “I just—” Tears threatened to surface, but she swallowed them down. “I just wish it could’ve been him.”

Her mother’s face relaxed as she put the dress down on the bed. “I know,” she said tenderly. “I fear you’re about to learn one of the hardest lessons life has to offer—grieving the loss of someone who is still alive.”

Rose bit the inside of her cheek as she fiddled with a makeup brush. “When’s his wedding?” She looked at her mother in the reflection.

“It’ll be a quick affair, held here at the castle in two weeks,” her mother said.

Her head whipped toward her mother. “So soon?”

“I’m sure the king and queen are eager to secure the union, and the treaty… Tristan also asked for it to be a short engagement. I’m sorry; I would’ve told you sooner, only I didn’t want to ruin this special night for you.”

Rose strained to offer a smile. “Of course. I’m happy for him,” she lied through her teeth. Practice for later. When she’d have to pretend her guts hadn’t just been torn out.

Her mother looked her up and down once more, fixing a crease in her dress. “I’ve been waiting to see you settled for so long. I know this isn’t how you or I had thought it’d turn out, but I think this is finally where I see you be happy. You look beautiful, my dear.”

Rose gave her mother a gracious smile, ridding herself of unwanted thoughts.

“Now, go before he changes his mind,” her mother half teased.

The sand was still warm under her feet from the day’s heat. The ocean waves rushed onto the light sand in gentle waves, reflecting the orange and pink glow from the retreating sun as she walked to where she’d agreed to meet Grant. It wasn’t far from her spot with Tristan. A pang stung at her heart. It wasn’t the spot she would have picked, but she couldn’t think of a place here that didn’t already have a memory attached.

Grant looked incredibly handsome in a red tunic lined with gold accents, matching her dress almost flawlessly—a note she was sure her mother had made. When she was close enough to see his face, she found he wasn’t smiling.

She offered him a small smile first, hoping it would ease his nerves. But to her dismay, his mouth stayed in a straight line. Her pace slowed.

“You look stunning,” Grant said, his eyes consuming her as he held out his hand, pulling her into him.

“Thank you,” she said softly, her heart pounding in nervous flutters.