Page 168 of The Throne Seeker

Rose glared at his back so fiercely she was surprised it didn’t set him on fire. She turned away, fuming.

After everything she’d been through today, after everything she’d done, he was going to blameherfor doing exactly what he’d asked? For putting herself in danger yet again, only to be treated like she had been back at the castle?

Her blood boiled. She whipped around, ready to round on him, but he was already out of sight. She took a few steps, tempted to follow him, but she stopped herself. Her limp reminded her she’d never catch up.

Instead, she turned towards the kitchens for a cold rag to put on her ankle.

Early the next morning, Rose found herself at the lake’s edge, standing on the stone staircase that led into the crystal-clear water. Though the sun had yet to rise, a gorgeous blend of deep-pink and orange painted the fluffy white clouds. As a result, a soft mixture of pink and purple hues cast over the peacefulforest as birds flew atop the still trees, gliding through the calm, colorful sky.

She wrapped her arms around herself, still clutching the letter from her mother that had arrived that morning. It was short and sweet, and her mother hadn’t uttered a single word about suitable matches, which told her the situation at the castle was still fragile.

Her mother must be at her wit’s end.

The very idea of going back made her shudder. She couldn’t just stay there, hoping for a suitor to rescue her while Tristan paraded his new wife around. Reality forced her to think of a life outside its walls.

And Moretti might be her ticket out.

Rose acknowledged he could be a good match for her. He had already accepted her circumstances. He understood the struggle of starting from nothing and building a life for himself, which was appealing to her. Although she knew little about him and he might very well be crooked and self-serving, he was capable of looking after her. The effects of the powder confirmed that everything he’d portrayed was true. Not to mention, her mother would find him more than agreeable.

So why not him?

She cast her gaze on the small island in the middle of the lake, eager to see the view from the grassy, rocky plateau. She must’ve felt courageous from her success at the Snorri because she peeled off her dress, glaring at the water like an opponent to be conquered.

She went down the steps, the cool water soothing the swelling on her ankle. The dull fear of the water threatened to take over her limbs as she continued, but she pressed on, not wanting to be controlled by it any longer. With the water now reaching her hips, she hesitated at the end of the steps.

“Going for a morning swim without me?” a deep voice questioned.

Roman stood at the top of the staircase, already stripped of his clothes. The sight caused a rush of heat to flood her face as she ran her eyes over his body, his tan skin even more perfect in the magenta-filled sky. He’d left his hair down, hanging into his eyes, still sunken and baggy.

“I want to see it.” She nodded out to the small island.

“You were just going to swim out there on your own? With your ankle like that?”

“You don’t think I can?”

“On the contrary. I think you can do anything,” he said with all the confidence in the world, stepping down the stairs into the water. “But I’m coming all the same.”

Rose faced the pink water. “Are you sure you want to?” she asked hotly.

He grew impatient. “Just let me come with you…please.”

Her gaze landed back on him, his gorgeous golden eyes softening her anger. She nodded, surprising herself by agreeing.

He waded into the water past her, pushing off from the last step and creating ripples that danced across the mirrored surface. She forced herself into the water after him, treading water on her own.

“You’re getting brave,” he said, praising her.

“Or reckless,” she mumbled, questioning her choices as of late.

Despite her glum tone, he gave her a gorgeous smile that nearly made her go under. “Or that.”

She rolled her eyes, splashing him.

Together, they swam to the island, her strokes becoming bold and fluid, confident enough to dunk her head and see the large fish scavenging the rocky bottom.

Her muscles screamed at her in the best way as they reached the rocky shore, her chest heaving for air. It made her feel slightly better to see Roman breathing just as hard. He reached down to help her up, and together, they climbed to the top of the small grassy plateau.

She stopped to catch her breath, but the view took it right away.