Page 276 of The Throne Seeker

They landed at the manor swiftly. The sudden arrival of the small group nearly gave Gretta a heart attack, especially since Rose’s mother was still unconscious in Roman’s arms with Neera lingering in the background. Nonetheless, Gretta overcame her shock and ushered them inside, helping Rose prepare a spot for her mother.

Although the circumstances were hurried, Gretta’s aura shone bright at the sight of Xavier, even if she couldn’t fully show it. Rose couldn’t help but gravitate towards Gretta’s happiness. It was more than a welcome feeling, seeing how her own sorrows, along with Roman’s and Xavier’s, were enough to drive her to insanity.

They disinfected her mother’s shoulder and helped her into a fresh dress. Rose tried to tend to Roman next, but he brushed her off, acting as though he deserved to endure his pain for a little longer.

She did her best not to melt into a puddle of tears when her mother finally woke. Rose threw her arms around her in pure relief. It had worked. The antidote had saved her life.

Darkness still filled the sky by the time she made her way out to the patio for a breath of fresh air. The bright stars were twinkling above, offering a pure, innocent comfort. From here, she could even see the giant ripples of water in the lake from Neera’s exploration.

Rose brushed her matted hair back. Gretta had insisted she bathe, but she was so exhausted, she had hardly been able to summon the energy.

As she gazed at the night sky, tears began to form in her eyes. She attempted to hold them back, but it was futile. The silent tears overflowed, streaming down her cheeks, Tristan’s screams haunting her. He had done so many things to deserve this fate, and yet she knew her siren had driven him to darkness.Shehad driven him to darkness.

She sniffed. Her heart ached so much she wished to be rid of it altogether. If only to be free of the weight pressing harder and harder into her chest.

Rose barely noticed Xavier coming up behind her.

“I’m so sorry,” Xavier spoke softly, his eyes full of despair. “I should have taken that arrow.”

She sniffed again, dabbing her eyes with her sleeve. “No, my mother knew what she was doing. She understands better than anyone what it’s like to lose the love of your life. She was trying to save me from the same fate…”

She hadn’t realized what her words would mean for him until Xavier clenched his jaw.

His eyes faltered, doing an outstanding job of hiding his bruised heart. “Just be glad you have no regrets, Rose. You’ve always been there for her, always. You’ll never have to wish you chose something different, wish you’d done more.”

She knew he was speaking from a place of regret for his own mother.

Her gaze went to Roman, who sat on the stone steps leading into the water, staring out into the night, soaking his swollen ankle from sprinting in his condition. His bloodied eye had become so swollen it was almost sealed shut. Stubborn git. She could have healed it by now.

Her attention shifted back to Xavier as he said through his teeth, “I’m their older brother. I’m supposed to protect them, evenTristan.” He spat his name. “Roman was right. I should’ve done better by them. I should have never made Tristan take the burden of the crown.”

Rose pressed her lips together as a tear slipped out. “A burden you and I both share.”

Xavier paused. “You should know it was Tristan that beat Roman.”

Her eyes snapped to him in disbelief. “Tell me that’s not true,” she whispered.

Xavier nodded, his eyes cast down. His aura was so conflicted she didn’t know if he was more angry or sad about the fact. “I’ve never seen him like that, Rose. The look in his eye… it was like he wasn’t even himself. He nearly killed Roman with his bare hands.” Xavier’s icy eyes flashed to her. “He won’t stop until he finds you. We can’t stay here long. It’ll be the first place he looks.”

Her heavy eyes faltered. “I know.”

A brief pause fell, the sound of the small waves from the lake filling the silence. Rose tried to take a deep breath, but her heart and lungs contracted.

Xavier hesitated before his arms wrapped around her.

She returned the gesture, taking another deep breath, and this time, her body didn’t miss a beat. She dug her fingers intohis cloak. “Thank you for staying... for being willing to make more mistakes,” she whispered. She pulled back to look at him.

Xavier leaned in closer, his eyes falling to her lips for a short breath. But then he clenched his jaw, changing course, giving her a restrained kiss on the temple.

Her shoulders relaxed in relief.

He gazed at her a little too tenderly as he brushed her crusted hair from her face. “I told you, smart-ass. I’m not leaving you again… not until you command me to.”

She could only muster a weak smile in response. A part of her knew he wished she could offer him more but she couldn’t.

With that, he gave her hand a small squeeze and returned to the manor to find Gretta, leaving Rose and Roman alone on the patio.

She turned her attention to Roman, who was already walking out of the lake, his frame shaking with every step as excess water ran down his muscular legs. She walked to meet him halfway.