Page 246 of The Throne Seeker

Rose choked back a sob. “And you are mine,” she whispered.

The waves relentlessly crashed against their knees, but she ignored the chill. Roman, on the other hand, shivered.

She nudged him. “Come on.”

The small party had already departed, trekking their way back to the distant castle, leaving only Xavier, Tristan, Harriet, and Rose’s mother behind. Satin had left with the others, her maid helping lead her back up to the castle.

A weighted silence fell over them as they took a moment to recognize this was all that was left of their family.

“What happens now?” Harriet asked her brothers bluntly. Her eyes were puffy as her dark, curled hair flowed with the breeze. “Will you finally set your differences aside? Or is this where everyone parts ways?”

No one spoke as guilt wrenched a gaping hole in Rose’s heart. They all knew the answer.

Harriet’s desperation for hope sent her gaze to Xavier, holding him accountable. “Are you going back to Amernth?”

“No,” Xavier said. Harriet’s relieved expression only lasted a moment as he added, “But I’m not staying either.”

Glaciers collided as Harriet’s eyes met her brother’s. “Xavier?—”

“Good, because this is no longer your home,” Tristan interrupted. “I allowed you to remain for our parents’ sake, but your banishment is reinstated… Leaving shouldn’t be hard,” he added with malice. “It’s what you’re used to.”

Harriet’s eyes widened in outrage.

Xavier took a few threatening steps toward his brother. “You’re right. I have no desire to stay. With you as our king,we’re all doomed. Give your reign a few months, and Cathan will be nothing but another set of ruins.”

Tristan turned hostile as he moved closer, narrowing the gap between them. “And whose fault is that,brother?” Tristan provoked, his repressed anger finally spilling over. “Youwere supposed to be the one in my place.Youwere supposed to be king. But you opted out like a coward, leaving me to pick up what you so carelessly abandoned, sending everyone’s lives into chaos, but most especially mine. I didn’t ask for you to give up the crown. My life would be entirely different if you hadn’t destroyed everything. All of this could have been prevented if you hadn’t gone after Rose and just stayed! All of this is your fault—all of it!”

Rose stepped forward to intervene, but Roman stuck an arm out to stop her. “They need to do this,” he whispered.

Her anxious eyes went back to them. This wouldn’t end well.

“You’re right, Tristan,” Xavier said with an antagonizing nod. “I should’ve never considered your feelings. I should’ve taken everything for myself, never let you have the throne, and I sure as hell never in a thousand lifetimes should have let you haveher!” he shouted, pointing to Rose. “I willingly gave her to you, and youstillmanaged to make a mess of things. Thank the gods Roman was here to help her escape you. Even though, given the chance, I would’ve saved her, too. But you, filthy coward, made sure I was out of the picture, fearing she’d pick me over you.” He advanced towards Tristan, his breath fogging Tristan’s face. “So tell me… how does it feel to know after all that, shestillpicked another brother?”

The air left her lungs.

Shit.

It was a mere second before Tristan’s fist flew through the air.

Xavier was ready for him, evading the punch and quickly countering with a strike of his own. His fist connected with Tristan’s jaw with such force, Tristan staggered backward.

Tristan spat out the blood oozing from his mouth. His feral eyes lifted as he drew his sword in a single fluid motion.

Xavier followed suit, unsheathing his own sword.

Years of hatred all came out in one explosive storm.

Each held nothing back as they fought, their swords clashing together, hit after hit, swing after swing. Tristan kept coming for Xavier, lashing with all his might. Xavier stood firm, parrying his brother’s blows. Both were evenly matched, channeling their pain and anger into every strike.

At last, Tristan found an opening and went straight for Xavier’s head?—

Rose took an involuntary step forward.

Xavier found his footing, twisting away. As Tristan exposed his arm, Xavier struck, landing a blow on his shoulder. A deep gash opened, spilling blood onto Tristan’s cloak. Snarling, Tristan retaliated, swinging back with fury.

Xavier barely had time to retreat, leaning away to dodge his blade, but it still didn’t stop it from slicing into his chest. Xavier cringed for a heartbeat.

But that was enough time to allow Tristan to advance. Despite his wounded arm, he shoved Xavier to the ground. A fearsome glare darkened his gaze.