Page 167 of The Throne Seeker

She paused, allowing herself to think if she’d like to stay, to learn more about him and his life in the city. It was clear hedidn’t care she had no money. He had enough of his own. And perhaps here would be better for her, far from the castle, from Tristan. She and her mother would be well taken care of.

“I’ll come back,” she said, surprising herself.

“When?”

“Soon.”

His eyes were pained as he lowered his lips to hers again—slowly, this time, sweetly, like he had all the time in the world with her.

“I’ll be waiting,” he whispered against her lips.

CHAPTER 65

Moretti let Rose take one of his cloaks as she left. Although he insisted on joining her, she managed to persuade him that it wasn’t necessary, not wanting him to discover where she was staying. After they had shared a few lengthy kisses, he reluctantly agreed to let her depart alone.

She rode Onyx back to Highland Haven. The ride was swift and effortless. Despite the heavy rain, it felt like a breeze after the intense race they had just won. Thick clouds shrouded the sky above, making the roads dark. She typically despised traveling in rainy conditions, but Onyx alleviated all her fears, his eight legs propelling them swiftly through the downpour.

They were both soaked to the bone when they reached the large estate. She showed Onyx the stables, making sure he was comfortable and dry before going back inside.

Rose quietly opened and closed the door, removing her soaked cloak and wringing her wet hair out. She headed for the stairs, her sore muscles yearning for a soothing salted bath.

Roman sat on the stairs, crouched over with his elbows on his knees, watching her.

She jumped out of her skin. “Roman!” she exclaimed, clutching her chest. “You scared me.”

He looked worse than he had this morning. His eyes were slightly more sunken and hollow, his eyelids an alarming shade of purple, and he was hunched like he was in pain.

She studied him, concerned. “Are you okay? You look ill.”

“I’m fine,” he dismissed, standing. His large, muscular body stiffened. “How’d it go?”

She threw him a guilty glance, foreshadowing the bad news. “Not good. He couldn’t tell me where they were, even with the powder. I think he’s bound by some sort of… magic. I’ve never heard of anyone able to resist its effects. The only thing I could get out of him was that he was helping them look for something.”

Roman’s eyes grew even darker, his hands balling into fits. “Damn it.”

“Why are you so bent on finding these men? Who are they?”

After a moment of acceptance, he ground out, “They’re the same group of men who destroyed Corrin. The exact group of men who werereallyresponsible for starting the war. Who burned and slaughtered an entire city. And that’s not the only one. They’ve continued to ravage and burn countless others, taking supplies and leaving a trail of bodies behind them. It’s happening again, and I want to find out why.”

And she had failed. Failed these people.

Pain stung her—but she wouldn’t accept defeat. Not yet. “I told him I’d return,” she explained, thinking of how they could get more information. “If I spent more time with him, I could gain his trust?—”

“The hell you will,” Roman lashed out. “It’d be fruitless. He’ll never be able to tell you anything if he’s bound, even if he wants to. Besides, I should’ve never asked you to get involved.”

“I’m sorry. I know you’re angry I didn’t get what you wanted, but?—”

“You think I give a damn about that?”

She didn’t understand where his anger was coming from, if not from her failure. “Then why are you so angry with me?”

“Because I can see it on your face,” he snarled, looking pointedly at the new dress she wore. “You let him touch you.”

Her eyes sparked with fire. “You told me to do what I had to do. I did thisforyou.”

His eyes were still dark, but his face relaxed. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” He rubbed his face with a loud exhale, pausing before he added, “Thank you for trying.” His voice was softer, but he still looked like he wanted to punch the wall.

Without another word, he retreated up the stairs to his room.