Page 115 of The Throne Seeker

Roman’s eyes remained clamped on hers as she brought him to his feet. He brushed himself off, his eyes only leaving hers to retrieve his sword. “Where did you learn to spar like that?”

All coldness was gone from his voice. She didn’t realize how much she had missed his normal, rich tone. She’d grown so used to the new icy one that she had been sure it was gone forever. But there it was—as sweet as honey.

“Zareb,” she said, choosing not to lie. After all, he was already gone.

“Is that why he chose to leave?”

“Is that what Tristan told you?” she asked, appalled.

Roman’s confused expression answered her question.

She gripped her sword tighter. “Tristanforcedhim to leave because of it.”

His wide jaw set as his eyes cast downward. “I see,” he whispered, almost to himself.

Rose scanned the forest to make sure they were alone. “How’d you find me?”

“I followed you,” he confessed with a somewhat shameful look. “I saw you saddling your horse and curiosity got the better of me.” His eyes shifted down to the sword in her hands. “Did Zareb give you that, too?”

“Yes. He gave it to me when Tristan took the other I had.”

Roman’s eyes sharpened at the mention of his brother. “May I?” he asked, holding his hand out.

She handed over the sword, ignoring the hard thump in her chest as his hand brushed hers.

He inspected it closely, balancing it with his fingers. “It’s beautifully made. Perfectly sound. Rare craftsmanship. It’s a wonder how he came by it.”

“He told me it came from his homeland, from the mines of Semaria.”

“I wouldn’t hide a sword like that in the woods. If anyone found it, you’d never see it again.” He handed the sword back to her.

She took it. “Please don’t tell Tristan about the sword. Or any of this. If he found out…” She trailed off.

“I know.”

A long silence ensued until he looked downward, clearing his throat. “Tristan’s been unfair to you… He should’ve never told anyone about your circumstances.”

She shifted, unable to hold his gaze. “He’s angry with me for making him sign the treaty,” she said in a smaller voice than she wanted. “He thinks I don’t love him anymore.”

Another small silence followed. “Do you?”

“I always will.” Her throat dried admitting it. “But we can never be. For so many reasons… some he’ll never know.”

“Tell me.” Roman’s voice was so tender it almost sounded like a plea.

She blinked in surprise. “Tell you?”

“Tell me the reasons,” he clarified, searching her eyes.

Something foreign shifted within her as she managed to say, “Does it matter? It’s done.” Her gaze shifted away from those flaming eyes as she crouched to take a drink from the cold stream, dipping her hands into the frigid water before bringing it to her lips.

Roman bent his knees, lowering himself to the forest floor beside her. “It matters to me,” he said softly.

She lifted her gaze—he was closer than she’d expected. She was immediately thrown back in time as she stared into the eyesof her old best friend, crouching in the same forest they’d spent so many summers in. The memory alone was enough to soften her heart.

“I can’t be what he wants me to be. More importantly, I can’t be who he needs me to be. He needs a queen. I’ve discovered I’m anything but.” She kept her eyes on the water. “You know the other reasons… one I have you to thank for.”

Roman had the decency to look guilty, his eyes falling slightly. He didn’t respond for a heartbeat, as if considering his words. “I know you think it was cruel of me, but it was the best thing for everyone involved. Including you.”