Page 245 of The Throne Seeker

“We find purpose!”

“With loyalty!”

“We serve!”

“With honor!”

“We live, fight, and die!”

“In love, we surrender!” Tristan added with a roar into the ocean’s waves. He made his way to the boat, lowered the torch, and set it ablaze.

A hot wave blanketed Rose as the sparks crackled and flew into the starry night sky. Several men, including Roman and Xavier, stepped forward. With all their strength, they pushed the boat into the dark water.

Rose’s mother wept beside her, tears brimming in her eyes as she grieved the passing of her dearest friends. In truth, Rose supposed they had been her only family.

She rested her head on her mother’s shoulder, holding her arm with a renewed gratitude for still having her here with her.

Her mother cleared her throat. “I regret that you never experienced that, Rose,” she said with a shaky voice. “You never got to see how much your parents loved each other, too. I’m sorry he can’t be here; he would have known how to help you. I wish I had asked him more about his… nature. He made it all look so easy.”

“You did everything you could for me.”

Her mother gave a weak smile, patting her hand.

Rose tossed her gaze out to Roman, a wave of his grief blowing in with the wind.

“Go on, quit fussing over me,” her mother said as she wiped her eyes. “I’ll wait here with the others.”

Rose kissed her on the cheek and set out into the cold water.

She stepped into the sea without hesitation—it was her second home now, and it welcomed her with its waves.

She stopped by Roman’s side, watching the burning boat grow brighter in the dark waters as it drifted further out to sea.

“I understand now why they would rather have it happen this way,” she said, thinking out loud. “This way, it doesn’t seem so permanent, does it? Now, it just feels like they’re setting off to sail on their next adventure together. Only this time, there’s no return.”

“Yes,” Roman whispered, his voice raw. “I think it’s exactly how they wanted it.”

A short pause fell over them.

“In a way, it’s a blessing they got to leave together,” she whispered over the gentle waves. “I know this may be selfish of me to say, but if you died and I had to watch you go on thatadventure without me… I don’t think I could bear to let you leave the shore.” Her voice broke at the mere thought. She bit her quivering lip.

He shook his head, bringing his dripping hands to her chin, forcing her to look up into his eyes. “I’d be right there along with you. I know I would. I have no idea how your mother survived it all these years.”

Rose looked back at her mother. A newfound appreciation blossomed within her. “Because she had me,” she whispered in realization. “She endured all that pain, all of that suffering, for me. I want to be angry at her for keeping the truth from me, but how can I, after all she’s done?” She looked back into Roman’s eyes. “If we had a child, you’d stay and fight for them, too, wouldn’t you?”

Roman’s eyes flinched in pain. “It would be extremely difficult, but yes. I’d try to bear it.”

“Me, too.” Tears filled her eyes again as she looked out at the boat, now distant, the flames engulfing every inch of it.

“What’s wrong?” Roman asked her as a tear slipped out.

She took a deep breath, containing the thoughts threatening to run wild. “I hate knowing I’ll have to watch both you and my mother go on your own adventures eventually.” She dared to meet his honey eyes. “You realize I’ll live much longer than either of you. Even if you last to an old age—which I’ll make sure of—everyone will eventually leave me—you, my mother, Zareb, Tristan, Xavier, Harriet… Everyone I hold dear will be long gone. I don’t think I could go on.”

“It’s a good thing you chose someone younger than you,” he joked, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Rose let out a short laugh, nodding as she looked down, wiping away a tear.

Roman leaned in close, and with Tristan present, she stiffened, thinking he might forget and kiss her anyway. Instead,he said, “You don’t need to worry about that right now. I’ll stay with you every second my weak human body allows,” he vowed. Then, lowering his voice to a whisper, he added, “I am yours.”