Page 118 of The Throne Seeker

Rose closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before turning to face the princess. “Of course.”

Satin came closer, playing with her hair nervously as she asked in a timid voice, “Is he a kind man? I mean… do you believe he’ll make a good husband?”

Rose’s features softened. At that moment, she felt sympathy for Satin—marrying a total stranger and leaving behind herhomeland and family was no small sacrifice. Satin had been forced into this situation, too. It was enough to soften her heart to answer her honestly.

She took a few steps toward her. “Tristan’s becoming the next king of Cathan for a reason. He’s everything a king should be—brave, loyal, honest. He has his weaknesses, but he’s a good man. He feels so deeply.” The room blurred as she thought of his handsome face. “So deeply that when he cares about you, he’ll make you feel like you’re the most precious thing in the world. When my father treated me like I was nothing, Tristan was one of the first men to show me how a man should treat a woman. I suppose that’s why we were so close… He’s the kind of man we all only wish we could marry.” The last words drifted off her lips.

She snapped out of her daze as she looked back up at Satin, hoping she didn’t just give herself away.

Thank her stars, Satin was still smiling, but not at her. Satin was peeking over her shoulder at someone else.

Shit.

Rose knew who it was before she even moved.

Tristan stood in the open doorway. His wistful, forlorn face told her he’d heard every word she’d said. He did a masterful job guarding his expression in Satin’s presence, but she knew him—who was she kidding? She knew him better than the lines in her favorite books. Just underneath his empty, hard shell, she could see his soul breaking.

“Tristan!” Satin exclaimed, oblivious as she moved around Rose. “You aren’t supposed to be here for another hour.”

Tristan managed to pull himself out of his ass. “I’m sorry. I must’ve gotten the wrong time,” he replied almost too easily. His eyes dropped to the dress in Rose’s hands. “What are you two doing?”

Satin’s grin grew wider. “Oh, it was supposed to be a surprise!” She groaned. “But I suppose you’d find out soonenough. Rose has agreed to be in the wedding! Isn’t that wonderful?”

Tristan’s eyes snapped to her guilty ones, taking a minute to realize they were serious. To his credit, he didn’t miss a beat. “That is wonderful.”

“Isn’t it?” Satin celebrated with a gleeful bounce.

Rose saw her opportunity to leave. And by hell, she’d take it. “Well, I should go; I’m sure you have a million things to do for tomorrow.”

“Oh yes, of course. Thank you so much for coming,” Satin said. “We’ll see you tomorrow!”

Rose gave Tristan a quick bow, looking anywhere but his eyes. She practically ran out of the room, not wanting to give either of them the opportunity to stop her.

She had successfully made it back to her room when she chucked the green dress onto the floor and let the tears pour out.

CHAPTER 51

Later that night, Rose was woken by a sudden pounding at the door.

She jolted upright, immediately grabbing her concealed sword from beneath the bed and drawing it from its scabbard. She jumped as another pound shook the door frame.

“Rose!” a drunken voice yelled.

Not just any voice.

“Rose!” Tristan yelled again, pounding on the door. “I know you’re in there!”

She let out a sigh of relief, relaxing her stance as she sheathed her sword and returned it to its hiding place.

He pounded at the door again.

“Rose!” he yelled. “Open the door!”

She didn’t. Instead, she went over to the wooden doorframe, leaning her shoulder against it. She was almost afraid to ask, “What do you want, Tristan?”

“I’m not leaving until I-I seeee you,” he said, his words slurring.

She closed her eyes, praying he’d leave, knowing she shouldn’t let him in.