Page 69 of The Throne Seeker

She couldn’t tell if he was pleased to see her as she walked in. His eyes locked on her with a different gaze than before—softer, less threatening. Even the way he shifted his body towards her was different, but she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was.

“Rose,” he greeted hoarsely, attempting to sit up straighter.

“Hello,” she said with a faint smile, making an effort not to let her argument with Tristan affect her mood. “I’m surprised to find you here alone.” She stopped at the foot of his bed. “Where are the healers?”

“I sent them away,” he replied, with an irritated glare at the door. “I wanted to be alone.”

“Oh.” She gestured back to the door. “Should I come back later?”

“No,” he answered at once.

She raised an eyebrow. The corner of her mouth threatened to rise.

Roman’s eyes shifted as he realized his hastiness. “I mean, no, it’s fine.” He motioned to the chair beside him.

She settled into the upholstered seat. “How are you feeling?”

“Better.” He reclined back onto the pillows. “My father tells me I have you to thank for that. He said you spoke with the phoenix somehow and made a deal to save me.” His golden eyes carefully locked onto hers.

She couldn’t hold his gaze. “Yes, well, Tristan helped.”

An awkward silence fell before Roman said, “Where is he? I’m surprised he didn’t come with you.”

“I told him I wanted to come alone.”

He studied her as though he were searching for a hidden truth. “How are you always at the center of all of this?” he asked at last, not in his usual cold voice, but with a tone of genuine curiosity.

She inspected her intertwined hands, swallowing hard. “I’ve been asking myself the same question lately.”

“Why’d you do it?”

“Do what?”

He swallowed hard before his voice broke. “Save me.”

Her eyes finally raised to meet his, catching her off guard with the sincerity held there. “Because despite what you think of me, I wouldneverlet you die, especially after you had just risked your life to save Tristan… And despite recent events, I still honor the friendship we used to share.”

Her answer seemed to throw him. He resituated himself on the goose-feather pillows, looking away, as if he couldn’t handle the contact. “The man in the trees… How in Vallor did you see him?”

She did her best to keep her unease under wraps. “I don’t know. I was just looking out at the crowd when I saw him. You were the first person I could reach to warn.”

“And the man, did you seehim?”

Xavier’s face flashed in her mind. She considered telling Roman the truth, but if she accused Xavier and she was wrong, she’d be put under more scrutiny by the council. And if it was Xavier, he could be imprisoned or hanged. She had to be sure it was him, and right now, she couldn’t be certain.

“I didn’t get a good look at him.” It wasn’t totally a lie.

He accepted her answer with a nod. His attention shifted to the nightstand, his hands shaking as he tried to reach for a cup. Witnessing his struggle for control over his limbs was downright painful. “I don’t know why I’m still shaking so much,” he said bitterly.

“Here, let me,” she said, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. “May I?” She gestured to the cup.

He looked at her, hesitant, then gave a reluctant nod.

She poured hot water and added the herbs, well aware of Roman’s studious gaze watching her as if he were expecting to be poisoned again.

She let the tea steep. Once it had, she took his rough, calloused hand in hers, guiding it to the cup. She kept her hand over his until she was confident he had a secure hold of it.

Roman’s free hand caught her arm. “Thank you.” The warmth in his voice sent a shiver up her spine. It was the voice she remembered as a small girl—the caring, friendly, charismatic one that reminded her of her best friend.