Page 175 of The Throne Seeker

“You see how the name Infinity Pool came about.” Roman shifted his gaze out into the infinite reflection. “They say these waters bring out truth. That once you enter, you’ll leave your old self right here and come out new. They’re also said to hold rare healing powers.”

“This… this is incredible.” That much was an understatement.

Roman nodded in agreement. “It really is.”

Without warning, he peeled his shirt off, tossing it aside, exposing his upper body to the glowing light. She tried to swallow, but a lump prevented it. He stripped the rest of his clothing off, except for his undergarments, taking the initiative to enter the clear water, his movements slow and cautious.

She followed suit, taking off her dress, and dropping it next to Roman’s clothes, leaving on her slip. Without hesitation, shetiptoed into the water—cool, but not as cold as she braced herself for.

“You’re not afraid anymore,” he praised, noting her confidence.

“No… Thanks to you,” she admitted, walking until the water was at her waist. The smooth stones massaged her feet with every step, her movements sending ripples through the sparkling water.

“You’re exceeding at everything, honestly,” he acknowledged. “Soon, you won’t need me at all.”

“You’ll be glad of that.” Her voice came out colder than she’d meant it to.

She felt his eyes on her, but she couldn’t meet them, keeping her gaze on her hands gliding effortlessly over the water.

“What?” he questioned.

She figured if he was going to be angry with her, she might as well know why. “You’ve barely so much as looked at me since the Snorri. It’s been weeks, and you’re still angry with me.”

Roman’s face faltered. He didn’t respond—perhaps because she was right.

“You just shut me out that night.” She rounded on him, her raised voice echoing off the cave walls. “After everything I did with Moretti, after I risked my life for you again.”

He scowled at the mention of his name. “I don’t want to talk about him.”

“Well, too bad,” Rose shot back. “I don’t deserve to be punished for trying to help you.”

His throat strained to control his voice. “I’m not trying to punish you.”

“Aren’t you? Because it sure as hell feels that way.”

He wouldn’t meet her gaze, his hands clenching into tight fists under the water.

She sensed him withdrawing. So she walked through the pool, the water swirling with her movements as she faced him.

“Look at me,” she begged. “It’s not fair of you to hold it against me.”

Roman’s bitterness burst through as he snatched her wrist, dragging her into him. Her hand shot to his chest to steady herself, the abrupt movement making a small splash that resonated through the cave, sending harsh ripples through the calm water.

His eyes pierced down into hers just as she’d demanded. “I’ll tell you what’s notfair,” he growled in a low, raw voice. “It’s not fair how the prick got arealsmile from you. It’s not fair how he came into your life for all of two seconds, and you’re consideringmarryinghim. It’s not fair that you sometimes still wear the bloody ring he gave you.” He drew her closer, his fingers still wrapped around her wrist in a death grip. His voice lowered into a harsh whisper. “It’s not fair how he has the ability to take you without consequence. While I’m stuck here, having to pretend I’m fine when I can’t even so much as fuckingbreathewithout you.” He stopped himself, pausing as his eyes flickered between hers. “It’s not fair to know he’d be better for you. If you want to be with him?—”

“I don’t,” she interjected, stopping his rant.

Roman was about to open his mouth to continue when he realized what she’d said, snapping it shut. His eyes latched on to hers as he searched hers vigorously, as if discerning whether he’d heard her right or it was just a figment of his imagination. “You… you don’t?” he questioned softly.

Did he really not see?

“Why do you think I’ve waited so long to go back?”

He faltered as his dripping hand reached up slowly to cup her face, his thumb stroking her cheek. He swallowed hard, looking down at her lips before shifting his gaze back to her eyes,studying her as if he were trying to commit every detail of her face to memory.

Her breaths became ragged as her eyes skimmed his face, gliding up from his collarbone over his jaw and nose to finally meet his gaze.

She waited—so patiently waited for him to do what her body was begging him to.