Page 207 of The Throne Seeker

Rose looked at Roman, already dreading not sleeping next to him.

Tristan shifted to her and her mother. “I can escort you both back if you’d like?”

Roman sent another subtle glare at his brother.

Her mother saved the day. “Oh no, I couldn’t keep you any longer from Satin.” She faced his younger brother instead. “But Roman, would you be so kind as to escort us?”

“Of course,” Roman accepted in a controlled tone, doing a magnificent job of looking indifferent.

They all stood to go out but the king, who sat down on the edge of the bed.

“Aren’t you going to sleep?” Rose asked softly.

He shook his heavy head, refusing to take his eyes off his queen. “No, not me. I’ll sleep here with my wife.”

Another ripple of heartache sliced through her.

“Come on,” Roman whispered over her shoulder. “Let’s give them time alone.”

Rose did her best to block his crippling pain as she followed Roman out, escaping the overpowering fog of sadness behind her.

She only had a fleeting moment of relief before a new energy slammed her. A blanched, thin-looking Satin stood staring at her in the middle of the corridor.

Rose fought not to gape too long. The happy, wide-eyed, innocent girl was gone without a trace, replaced with a tired, hard-shelled woman whose aura held nothing but contempt. The sharp expression reminded her of Satin’s mother.

Satin didn’t bother hiding her disgust as she inspected Rose, her eyes running over her in revulsion. “You’re back,” Satin whispered. Her eyes held Tristan accountable. “You didn’t tell me she was back.”

“I didn’t know. She just got here a few hours ago,” Tristan stated as his eyes clashed with hers.

Rose stepped forward. “He didn’t know. I just arrived. I came for the queen.” She regretted trying to make the situation better when Satin’s scowl deepened.

“No one bothered to tell me you’re asiren,” Satin spat the word. Her eyes ran over her again, like she’d just put the last puzzle piece together. She turned to Tristan. “And you’re just going to let her come back? Do you remember what her kind did to my family? To my province? They nearly annihilated my people.”

Tristan’s voice hardened. “She’s no danger to anyone here.”

But Tristan’s defense of her only fueled Satin’s anger.

“I won’t allow for it.” Satin whipped to the others for support. “She’s manipulating all of you. Especiallyyou.” Her gaze ended on Tristan.

“She’s not manipulating anyone.” Roman’s voice lost all warmth as he folded his arms. “And this is her home just as much as yours.”

Tristan went to Satin’s side. “What are you doing up so late? You should be resting,” he said in a lower voice, but she waved him off.

“Tristan’s right,” Harriet said, joining them as she rubbed Satin’s back. “The stress isn’t good for the baby.”

Rose’s heart fell straight through the floor.

Baby?

Harriet hadn’t realized her mistake until it was too late. Her mouth parted in horror as her guilt-ridden eyes flung to Rose.

Rose’s hand went to her stomach in instinct. “You’re pregnant?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Satin lifted her chin as if in entitled victory. “Yes.”

And just like that, Rose found herself thrown right back onto the floor the night of the wedding. This couldn’t be happening. This was a cruel joke—a sick prank. It had to be. They’d barely been wed for a month.

Her wounded eyes sought refuge from the storm, looking to Tristan for confirmation.