Page 248 of The Throne Seeker

Roman’s regret shone through as he put a hand on her shoulder. “Where we’re going is too dangerous.”

Harriet’s eyes narrowed. “What of Evelyn? How is itshe’sable to come along but I am to be left behind?”

“She has a point,” Rose’s mother agreed.

Rose shot a glare at her mother.Not helping.“It’s too dangerous for her to stay,” she told Harriet. “Men are looking for me, powerful men. I can’t allow them to take my mother to get to me. And she’s had her own training. She’s not defenseless.”

Harriet looked between her brothers. “So that’s it, then?” she cried. “You’re both going to choose her over me again?”

“You know that’s not true,” Xavier said as his jaw clenched.

“Isn’t it?” Harriet argued. “If it wasn’t for her, you’d have no reason to leave.”

“I have every reason to leave,” Xavier pointed out.

Harriet’s eyes brimmed with tears as she turned to Rose. “Please.Pleasetake me with you. He’ll make me marry someone I don’t love, and I’ll be sentenced to a life I don’t want.”

Rose recognized the feeling radiating off Harriet. “You love someone already, don’t you? You want to run away and be with him.”

Harriet’s eyes widened in disbelief. “How do you know?”

“Because I could feel you when you danced with him last night,” she said.

Xavier and Roman immediately came to attention.

“Who?” Xavier demanded.

Harriet lifted her chin despite his scolding eyes. “Conrad Ledgum.”

“The Ledgums?” Roman raised an eyebrow. “They’re barely considered a part of the court.”

Harriet folded her arms stubbornly. “Which is precisely why I didn’t tell anyone. I knew you’d all look at me like that.”

“Tristan will never allow you to be with him, and neither would our parents,” Xavier said. “And quite frankly, neither would I. You’re barely sixteen.”

“Like I said, that’s why I didn’t tell you,” Harriet said with a snap.

Guilt festered in her. Harriet, who had been one of her closest friends growing up, who’d always defended her among her peers at court up until this summer, had been brushed aside as of late. And now, with her parents gone… it didn’t seem fair.

“Is there no way she can come with us?” Rose whispered to Roman.

Roman shook his head. “If these men are truly sirens, there is no guarantee I can protect her. Hell, I don’t even know if we can protect ourselves. She’ll be far safer here.”

She couldn’t help but agree.

Harriet guessed their answer. Her voice trembled as she asked, “When are you leaving?”

“Now,” Roman answered. “Before anyone realizes we’ve gone.”

“Fine,” Harriet replied, a tear slipping down her cheek. “I guess this is goodbye, then.” Harriet moved to leave, but Xavier grabbed her arm.

“I’ll come back for you,” he promised. “When the time is right, I swear I’ll return for you.”

“I just lost Mom and Dad,” Harriet whispered, her lower lip shaking. “And now I’m losing you both, too. Just… just do me a favor and leave.” Harriet yanked her arm back and turned on her heels, striding towards the castle through the night.

The four looked after her with despair. Silence loomed over them, save for the ocean waves rising with the tide.

“We should try to smooth things over with her,” Xavier said to Roman with a solemn expression. “Who knows when the next time we see her will be.”