Page 117 of The Throne Seeker

“Yes, I’ve talked to Harriet, and she was helpful, but she also told me you know him the best of anyone. Plus, Tristan talks so highly of you.”

Rose felt a twist in the gut this time. “He does?”

Satin gave her a bright smile. “Of course. He adores you.”

She should leave. She shouldn’t be here pretending she and Satin were friends.

“Would you say he’s a very… physical man?” Satin asked. Her cheeks stained to a pink color, catching Rose’s expression. “I’m so sorry. That must be such an uncomfortable question for you. Of course you don’t think of him like that. It’s only—when I try to touch him, I swear it’s like he almost… recoils. He held my hand once, but it was only once. It’s the only thing he’s done to let me know he sees me that way.”

Oh gods. Rose quickly sought a lie. “It’s probably just nerves. I’m sure he only needs to get to know you better.”

Thankfully, her answer satisfied Satin enough to drop the subject.

Satin stood. “I’ve had the worst time deciding which dress to wear.” She went to the three white dresses hanging up behind them.

The hits just kept coming.

“What do you think?” Satin asked, spinning to see Rose’s reaction.

Rose couldn’t bear to look at them. “They all look wonderful.” She pretended to glance over them with more interest. “I think you’d look lovely in any one you choose.”

Satin gave her a sheepish smile. “I knew I’d like you from the moment we met.”

“You are too kind.” The statement was more than honest.

“I must admit, I invited you here to ask you something else as well.” Satin grabbed a light-green dress from across the room and brought it to her, looking nervously excited. “I know the wedding is tomorrow, and it’s short notice, but I thought since you’re like family, perhaps it might be nice if you were in the wedding as one of my maidens?”

Rose’s mouth hung open. Caught off guard, she shook her head automatically. “Oh, no.”

Satin sat down slowly. “What is it? Is it the dress?”

“No, of course not. The dress is beautiful. But you see, I’mnotfamily. I don’t have a drop of royal blood in me. It wouldn’t be seen as proper. I couldn’t possibly.”

Satin waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, please! It’d be so lovely to have you in it.”

Rose couldn’t suppress the pure panic consuming her, scrambling for any reason out of it. “I’d hate to distract from your day.”

“Nonsense! We’d love to have you with us. Oh, please say you will. I want tomorrow to be perfect, and I want all of Tristan’s close family and friends to be there.”

“Does Tristan know you’re asking me this?” Rose tried to say his name normally.

Satin shook her head, not noticing anything was amiss. “I want to surprise him, and I know he’d love it.”

Rose tried to say something—anything—to refuse, but her mind was blank. She couldn’t refuse without telling Satin the real reason. If she learned the truth, Satin could possibly rethink the marriage, making Rose the reason the alliance fell apart.

“Oh, please say yes,” Satin pleaded again, reaching for Rose’s hand.

She cursed in her mind. Why did she have to be so nice? This would have been so much easier if she were mean and horrid. Her body took over, giving her a nod.

Satin’s face broke out into a bright smile. “Oh, thank you! I know he’ll be so glad to see you there. This will be the best surprise!”

Rose smiled, but she was sure it was just an awkward showcase of her teeth.

Satin stood up, passing her the light-green dress.

Rose took it with all the grace she could muster, fighting the intrusive impulse to drop it or throw it into the fire. As she went to leave, Satin stopped her.

“Can I bother you with one more question?”