Page 266 of The Throne Seeker

The sight made Rose urge Onyx to go faster, repressing her siren’s bloodthirst to slaughter them all.

As if her mother had read her mind, she said, “Don’t overplay your cards, Rosalie. I don’t know what you’re planning, but there are too many to fight. Trust me, you don’t want to be responsible for their deaths,” she warned, speaking over the rushing wind.

Rose tightened her grip on Onyx’s mane. She had to handle this with care. If she didn’t… she didn’t want to think about it.

The execution proceedings halted as Onyx’s powerful body burst onto the scene. The council members and nearby guards quickly parted the way, steering clear of Onyx’s formidable hooves, which stomped into the heart of the gathering. Only Tristan kept his feet planted, fixing a glare at her. He didn’t look surprised.

Rose’s gaze darted between Roman and Xavier, both bound and standing just a few feet from the cliff’s edge, where the jagged rocks below waited to greet them. Their mouths were both silenced by a gag.

As soon as she saw Roman, her heart exited her chest, rolling off the cliffside.

Half of Roman’s handsome face had been marred with black and blue bruises in their short time apart. The white of his right eye was blood red, and his bottom lip was swollen and split. He fought not to flinch as he put weight on his left leg. She checked Xavier, too, who, thank the gods, looked unharmed.

Her eyes blazed with a wicked fire. They hadbeatenhim. They had beaten him until he could barely stand, undoubtedly pressuring him to reveal where the talisman was.

Despite all this, Roman remained fierce, looking at her like he was going to kill and kiss her at the same time.

Her rage boiled like hell’s fury. Rose knew what she had to do. Even if it killed her, she would do it.

For Roman.

Five guards lifted their bows and aimed at her heart, but she ignored them. Her eyes honed in on Tristan, who was watching her, waiting for her reaction. His face was savagely cold, devoid of any and all remorse.

Her voice was as sharp as a needle. “Tell them to lower their weapons.”

“I told you to stay out of this,” Tristan said.

Rose’s feet hit the ground, stalking toward him. The guards surrounding Tristan blocked her path, but she paid them no attention as she stopped in front of them.

“I need to speak with you.” She crushed her arms to her sides to prevent her sword from swinging.

“There is nothing you can do or say that will alter what is about to happen,” Lord Martin interjected snidely.

She didn’t even spare a look in his direction.

“Let her through,” Tristan ordered.

The guards parted for her, lowering their arrows.

Rose approached him with care, keeping her siren’s rage under control. She attempted to reason with him one final time. “You’re making a mistake. Roman didn’t take the talisman. We need to be finding who truly did.”

Tristan budge. “You think I want this? He stole the key and the talisman to make me look like a fool. Both of them tried to kill me, and still, you defend them.” His eyes turned dark. “Well, now they both will see that choices have consequences.”

Tristan began to turn away, but she grabbed his arm, forcing him to face her.

The guards strained their bows at her again.

“I’ll let you have me,” Rose said in haste.

Tristan’s eyes finally lit from within, like she’d dangled a piece of meat in front of a starved animal.

She took her opportunity, stepping closer. “I’ll let you have every single part of me. I won’t fight you. I’ll kiss you back. I’ll give you all of me. Just let them go.”

Tristan didn’t waste the opportunity. He closed the gap between their bodies. “Give me your word,” he demanded.

A crack of thunder rumbled through the air. Louder. Closer.

She could feel Roman’s fury a few feet behind Tristan as he violently shook his head. He and Xavier lunged forward, but the guards restrained them.