Page 222 of The Throne Seeker

He shook his head. “No, they prefer to have a boat ceremony… Something about not wanting to spend eternity in a hole,” he added with a saddened smile.

Her thumb stroked the back of his hand. “I’m sorry.” The pathetic phrase spewed out of her on repeat.

“To be honest, it hasn’t hit me yet.” Roman looked away down the halls. “There’s been so much going on, I haven’t been able to stop and think about it.”

“She loved you, you know. I know how proud she was of you… How you led the war for us.”

“Being good at killing isn’t what she was proud of… The only reason I have for her to be proud is standing right in front of me.” He kissed her temple. “I do regret she won’t get to see us married… or meet our children.” His gaze dropped to her stomach as he gently brushed it with his thumbs.

Her cheeks flushed with the heat of eternal flames. The thought of carrying his child aroused her more than she’d care to admit.

She took those thoughts and buried them deeper than this tomb. Now was not the time for that.

But one day… she’d allow herself to dream.

“If we aren’t here for your mother, what are we doing?” she asked, surveying the chilling chambers.

His eyes conveyed a hidden burden. “What I’m about to show you is an ancient secret that’s been kept since the founding of Cathan. You cannot tell a soul what you’re about to see. You must promise.”

Rose’s curiosity was piqued. “I promise.”

He switched his torch for one of the eternal flames, stretching out his free hand again. “This way.” He gestured to one of the hallways.

She accepted his hand, clutching it like she was being led into a dragon’s lair, secretly cringing on the inside that there were still more tunnels to be explored.

A small smile played on his lips. “You’re looking at me like the first time I made you swim at Highland Haven. I’m not trying to kill you.”

She shrugged. “It’s always a possibility.”

“You and I both know it’s quite the opposite.”

Rose gave him a dangerous smile. “I suppose it’s a good thing I like you, then,” she mused. She glanced down at his lips, gaining a sudden hunger for them. But if they started, she’d never stop, and she refused to be down here any longer than necessary.

Roman let out a harsh laugh that echoed off the walls. “An incredibly good thing,” he concurred, pressing a kiss to her temple.

They trudged through one passage after another, their footsteps carrying down the silent tunnels. Turn after turn, she followed him. She counted one…two… seven… twelve.

These passages weren’t just a maze—it was a labyrinth.

She prayed Roman knew where he was going because she was lost. Each turn looked the same as the one before. No doubt the purpose of it all.

She frowned as they reached a dead end.

Without hesitation, Roman approached the stone wall. His fingertips glided over the dusty grooves, searching for something. He stopped on a singular stone, blowing the dust away, uncovering a small sun symbol in the upper corner. Ever so gently, he pressed the stone inward.

The wall shifted, triggering a chain reaction that shook the ground. Rose steadied herself as the wall slid to the side. Dust settled to reveal an ancient wooden door covered with runes, so old it had to have been created long before the castle was built.

Roman retrieved a key tucked away in his pocket, holding it out so she could see Cathan’s emblem on its head. With it,he unlocked the door, producing over a dozen clicks ricocheting into the ground beneath their feet.

Before he opened the door, he glanced at the bronze key in his hand. “Do you know why Cathan’s symbol is the sun?”

Rose paused, not knowing why it was pertinent, but she still responded. “The sun signifies life itself. It sustains us by bringing energy, power, and light to our world.”

“It does… but there is a little more to it than that.”

He pushed the door open to a black abyss. She braced herself as a chilling breeze swept over her face. A shiver ran down her spine as she realized she’d be expected to enter the void.

She buried her instincts to flee as Roman held his hand out, leading her down to what felt like the very core of Vallor.