Page 38 of The Throne Seeker

The trees in the garden swayed in the soft breeze, rustling the leaves above. The summer hydrangeas were now in full bloom, with freshwater trickling beneath them through small trenches. The additional torches lit their path perfectly in the darkness, adding their light to the two moons. Zareb and Grant’s guard followed quietly behind them in the shadows, giving the two space.

“You’ve made it a point to keep yourself scarce around the castle,” Grant noted as they strolled down the path. “I hope that it hasn’t been my doing.”

She wrapped her arms around herself, warding off the chill. “No. Of course not. I’ve just been keeping myself busy.”

“Busy from what, I wonder.” He tilted his head.

“More than you imagine,” she said, tucking her hair behind her ear. “I’m not the most popular guest in the castle at the moment.”

“It is strange that I don’t have more suitors to compete with,” he agreed.

“I suppose both you and my mother gave me more credit than I deserve.”

He smiled like a sly fox who knew something. “I suppose.”

She quirked an eyebrow. “You don’t agree?”

“Oh, come on, Rose. You must know.”

She stared at him, bewildered.

“Tristan has made sure no one else pursues you,” Grant said, confirming her mother’s theory. He plucked a leaf from a bush along the pathway. “He’s gone as far as threatening each and every suitor who has expressed interest in you.”

Rose immediately shook her head in denial. “You’re wrong. He wouldn’t do that.”

He inspected the leaf in his hands, twirling it with his fingers. “Go ask any of the men you danced with at the ball. I’m sure they’ll tell you the same.”

She fixed her eyes on the pathway ahead as something ugly twisted in her gut.

They stopped when they reached the central fountain. It towered over both of them, fanning water high out into the air, only for it to cascade down to the lower tiers and eventually gather at the base.

“I have to ask,” Grant said, lifting his clover eyes. “You’ve made it clear you have no interest in me, but I can’t help but think you and your mother must have some reason to believe a marriage with Tristan is unobtainable. Or your mother wouldn’t go to the trouble of pushing me onto you. If I’m right, Tristan must think this so-called ‘reason’ is irrelevant because he has made it clear he’ll marry you anyway. Or…” He dropped the leaf, watching it flutter down into the water and drift away.

“Or?” she prodded, curious to hear his other theory.

Grant snuck a side glance. “Or perhaps Tristan is much more attached to you than you are to him.”

Her eyes returned to the fountain. “That’s not true. The situation is… complicated.”

He flashed a smile. “Is that why you choose to tolerate me?”

Her eyes narrowed, not liking how he presumed to know so much. “Would you rather I didn’t?”

For the first time, Grant’s face turned somber, gazing at her sincerely. He edged closer, his tall frame towering over hers. “I’d rather you choose to do so becauseyouwant to, not because it’s what your mother or anyone else wants. Look, I’m not asking you to marry me… I’m just asking for some time.”

Her throat tightened as she slowly lifted her eyes to meet his. Her first instinct was to say no, but she’d promised hermother she’d keep all avenues open, even if she thought them unnecessary.

So she gave him hope.

“I think I can do that.”

His large, handsome grin returned. “I can ask for no more.”

They made their way around the fountain, choosing the southern path this time. They passed a group of spectators who became silent as they passed, then began whispering amongst themselves as soon as they were out of earshot, showing no effort to hide their gossiping.

“It seems as though I’m the envy of the castle,” Grant observed.

She put a hand to her chest dramatically. “I’m sorry about that. I know how much you hate the attention,” she replied with sarcasm.