Page 80 of The Throne Seeker

“Then tell me!”

She opened her mouth to answer, then faltered. How was she supposed to explain why she had to entertain Grant without telling him the rest of it? About her fortune, how they’d lost it, about the true nature of her father, why it had led to her training, all of it. And heaven help her, she didn’t know if she was ready for him to see that side of her.

She’d bolted it up so tight with a lock and key, she feared if she opened it, it would all come spilling out. And if the council found out Tristan knew of her fake fortune and soiled reputation, they might find a way to use it against them both in the succession. She couldn’t risk it. At least not until today was over. It was better he didn’t know. For now.

“It’s not that simple.”

He barked a harsh lifeless laugh, the wind blowing through his tousled curls. “It never is with you, is it?”

Her fingernails dug into her palm. “You don’t exactly make it easy. You’ve been under so much pressure—I didn’t want to add more to your plate.”

He shook his head sharply. “Don’t throw that at me. Don’t tell me what I can and cannot handle.”

“You realize that’s exactly what I asked of you the morning you took my sword,” she said, throwing it right back.

The point made him pause, letting her know she’d struck a chord. His expression relaxed as the realization set in.

She came closer, wanting to reach out, but she refrained, fearing he wouldn’t want it. “Please don’t hold it against me. I’m so sorry.”

He clenched his jaw, looking like he was debating whether to throw her off the cliff or kiss her madly.

“Tristan!” Roman’s voice called, a scowl engraved on his face. “You’re next. You should stay close.”

Tristan gazed at her with an empty expression, sending a dull pain through her heart. He didn’t move, his face growing into something fierce. “I refuse to let Grant come between us. He wants this to happen because he knows he doesn’t stand a chance against us together. I’m not going to be so easily goaded by him.” He slid his hand down into hers, intertwining their fingers.

A wave of relief rushed through her. She gripped his hand back. Without warning, Tristan pulled her into his chest. His lips dipped to meet hers, parting her mouth with little effort.

She didn’t resist in the slightest, welcoming the kiss. They shouldn’t be so careless, but she couldn’t think straight. Not when he held her like this. Not when he kissed her like she was life itself. With lips so hungry, she was sure he was trying to consume her whole.

Regretfully, he pulled away. “Walk with me.” He didn’t wait for an answer as he tugged her along.

Roman sneered in disgust as they passed, his blazing golden eyes fixated on Tristan. Despite his brother’s fury, Tristan clung to her hand.

Everyone was still waiting in the tent when they rejoined the group. Grant was gone. It must have been his turn. Her mother raised an eyebrow at her, giving Rose a look that seemed to say,I hope you know what you’re doing.All the while,Tristan held firm to her hand. Even when his mother discreetly shook her head at him, he pulled Rose closer. She did her best to block them all out, trying to focus on the task at hand.

The minutes dragged on, but eventually, Grant emerged with his parents. Unlike Emmett, Grant returned with his dignity intact. His face was grim, but not sickly like Emmett’s. As he exited, his eyes sought out Rose and Tristan, hardening at the sight of the pair holding hands. Tristan moved in front of Rose, conveying a clear message.

The king exited the hut with Lord Martin. “Tristan,” the king called next.

“Good luck,” Rose whispered, giving his hand one more squeeze of encouragement before she let go.

The queen, Harriet, and Roman were there in a blink, ready to follow Tristan into the hut. But to her utter surprise, the king spoke to her. “You too, Rose,” he instructed, gesturing for her to enter.

Her heart dropped onto the mossy ground beneath her. Her eyes flitted back and forth between Tristan and the king. “Me?” She pointed to her chest.

Lord Martin looked all too pleased. “Yes. The council has decided that since you worked on the first challenge together, you shouldn’t have problem combining this challenge as well.”

The king’s face grew beet red, but he said nothing in rebuttal. Clearly, he had been overruled.

Queen Lenna’s eyes almost bulged out of their sockets. “But this isn’t?—”

“The council demands it,” King Henrik stated, silencing her.

The queen said nothing more—she couldn’t. Not when he spoke like that, not when the king commanded his queen. Rose had never seen Lenna give her husband such a haughty gaze as she strutted past him, followed by her children. Roman made it a point to sidestep as far away from her as possible, disgust still burnt on his face.

The council had a venomous snake hidden up their sleeve. There was an ulterior motive for wanting Rose and Tristan in that hut, and it wasn’t good. This was revenge for having been made fools during the first challenge.

Dread coursed through her like cold winter snow. She could only hope that Zareb’s quick lesson on mind fortification last night would be enough to save them.