Page 145 of The Throne Seeker

The taunt raised something in Roman, alright. He clenched his jaw, becoming determined. “Again,” he ordered.

And so the morning went on. They sparred for so long, large beads of sweat dripped down from her brow to her chin. Round after round, Roman won, once sending her flat on her back. He demonstrated a better way to deflect a blunt blow like he’d done, instructing her to let it roll off her shoulder rather than to try to deflect.

When the sun was at its peak and their water was gone, they stopped—the shadows of the pines now facing the opposite direction.

“That was good,” Roman commended, out of breath.

“You were holding back,” Rose said with disappointment, a seed of doubt planted in her mind.

“Actually, Rose.” He paused to catch his breath. “I wasn’t.”

She raised her eyebrows, not believing him.

“You’re wicked fast,” Roman praised, looking at her like she had performed some miracle. “Zareb was far downplaying your abilities to you. I’ve trained thousands of soldiers, and not one has gotten so far in such a short period. You’re a natural, truly.” He studied her like he was contemplating something. After a long pause he said, “I have a somewhat large favor to ask you.”

Her brow quirked. “What’s that?”

“I told you I have some business in Caleede, and I was wondering if you’d be willing to come with. I could use your help.”

Rose straightened, surprised. Whatever it was, it beat sitting alone at the manor thinking of Tri—things. “What kind of business, exactly?”

“Let’s just call it post-war efforts,” he said, avoiding the root question. “Every ten years, the capital holds a race called the Snorri. But it’s not just any race. The riders race on sleipnirs—beasts with?—”

“Eight legs,” she finished his sentence, remembering the magical creatures from the pages she’d read. Sleipnirs were incredibly strong, fast creatures—one of the oldest species in Vallor, if she remembered correctly. However, the horse-like beasts were notorious for being hazardous. Many men had gone to great lengths to touch one, let alone ride one. She could only imagine what it must take to train a sleipnir like that.

“Isn’t it illegal to race them?” she questioned, recalling the law.

Roman squinted as he swayed his head back and forth like it was a gray area. “In theory, yes. But the man in charge of the race gets enforcers to look the other way. He claims it’s how they raise money for the city’s needs, but we all know it’s a ploy to pay off the politicians to allow them to do so. The race generates a handsome sum of money, and even more on gambling.”

“I don’t understand. What’s this got to do with post-war efforts?”

“Because the man in charge is named Felix Moretti. He’s a powerful man with important information about a group of insurgents we’ve been looking for. They’ve been pillaging, destroying, and killing hundreds of innocent people in cities throughout Cathan.”

Rose’s mind went back to the night she’d overheard the council. Was that what they were discussing? Was this group of insurgents responsible for causing all the mayhem in Cathan?

Roman continued, “We’ve tried finding them on our own, but I don’t know a soul who knows anything about them other than Moretti. I’ve tried meeting with him myself, but he and I have a… rough history. But he’ll be at the event to watch the races. Which is where you come in.”

“What can I do?” She still didn’t see her part in this.

His face grew uneasy—dare she say hesitant. “He’s particularly fond of… pretty women.”

Rose cocked an eyebrow. “You want me to seduce him?”

“Persuade,” he corrected. “He’s a man who’s obsessed with things he wants but can’t have. I know if he saw you, he’d seek you out. You don’t have to do anything except dangle yourself in front of him. Flirt with him. Get his attention. Make him want to know you. You just have to get close enough to put this—” he nicked a small bag of lotus powder from his bag, “—into hisdrink. Once you have, get him to tell you where the men are hiding. I know it’s a lot to ask, but I wouldn’t if I weren’t sure you’d be safe.” Roman paused, letting her think. “Before you agree, I have to warn you, it won’t be pretty. The atmosphere will be quite different than you’re used to, much like the tavern.”

Rose chewed on the inside of her cheek, thinking about what he was asking. She did her best to suppress the same memory that threatened to surface at the tavern.

He pulled her out of her daze, asking, “What is it?”

Her eyes met his with uncertainty. “It’s just… what if he doesn’t like me?”

Roman barked a harsh laugh. “I tell you all this, andthat’swhat you’re worried about?”

She wasn’t laughing.

“Trust me, that’ll be the least of your worries. But if you don’t want to, I complet?—”

“I’ll do it,” she interrupted.