Page 102 of The Throne Seeker (Vallorian #1)

R ose and Xavier climbed the stairs to the queen’s chambers in silence. She was grateful for her hood acting as a barrier to ease the tension. But no amount of barriers would be powerful enough to block the heartache that continued to leak from him.

Judging from the gleaming floor and the fluffed rugs beneath her feet, the servants had already made their rounds.

They’d polished the candelabras and replaced the torches to brighten their way as they trekked up the main stairwell.

They hadn’t seen a soul besides the guards.

She was sure because of the hour, they were the only ones still awake, until Rose heard a pair of voices.

Harriet and Roman waited outside their mother’s door under the arched sun-etched keystone. Harriet had her arms crossed, glaring at Roman, whose back was turned to them.

“We have to find him.” Harriet’s voice carried. “He wouldn’t choose not to come. He should be here by now. What if something’s happened to him? She is our best chance to convince him to come home. Let her go find him.”

“Do you know how dangerous that would be for her? Besides, we don’t even know if he’s still in Amernth. It’s too far,” Roman argued.

The siblings’ conversation came to an abrupt halt at the sound of their approaching footsteps. Harriet saw them first, peering over Roman’s shoulder as her youthful eyes lit up with joy. Rose could’ve felt Harriet’s excitement from across the castle.

“Xavier!” Harriet exclaimed, sprinting down the hallway to him.

Xavier’s face shifted into a handsome grin, holding out his arms as Harriet crashed into him.

Rose was hardly paying attention, her sea-green eyes fixed on Roman, who’d whirled around. Her eyes softened as a river of guilt tore at her for her kiss with Xavier.

Roman’s golden eyes warmed at the sight of her, her siren immediately sensing how hard it was not to copy his sister and run to her.

Instead, his gaze passed over her to his brother.

His warmth dimmed. Nevertheless, he welcomed Xavier, enveloping him in a hug before clapping his shoulder. “Took you long enough.”

“How is she?” Xavier asked, glancing at the door with hesitancy.

“Terrible.” Tristan’s voice came from behind them. “But what would you care?”

Rose spun, finding Tristan and Satin coming toward them. She stiffened as Xavier’s lips curled into a scowl.

“Last time you were here, you nearly killed Rose,” Tristan said as he strutted toward them. “But then again, you never cared much for her life, did you? Or Mother’s, it would seem.”

A violent force raged just beneath Xavier’s skin.

Anticipating his action, she placed her hand on Xavier’s forearm before he could take a step. “Don’t,” she whispered.

Roman’s eyes flickered down to her hand on Xavier’s arm. A burst of emotion came from him, but it was gone so fast she couldn’t determine what it was—the contact of her hand on Xavier overpowering her senses.

“Stop it,” Harriet said, glaring at Tristan. “He’s only just returned.”

Thankfully, Xavier heeded Rose’s advice, clenching his fists instead. With a calm voice, he said, “It’s okay, Harriet. Tristan knows all about the value of lives, don’t you, Tristan?”

Tristan was about to retort, but Rose intervened. “This isn’t the time or place. Your mother needs you all right now. This is about her.”

“Speaking of mothers, why don’t you go find your own?” Satin said, seeming particularly unwell herself. “This is a private family matter, and you’re not family.”

Rage simmered inside her. Her siren took over her limbs before she could stop it. She prowled toward the girl with lethal, smooth movements, like a cat approaching a mouse. “Perhaps I soon will be. Then we could be sisters,” she said with a dangerously sweet voice.

Roman’s energy lit up beside her. He smashed his lips together to keep them from curling up into a smile. Tristan’s gaze, however, went straight to Xavier’s with a burning hatred.

To Satin’s credit, she didn’t back down. “None of them would be foolish enough to marry you.”

An awkward silence filled the corridor.

“Maybe you’re right,” Rose acknowledged humbly, “but I’m not worried about that at the moment. I’m staying. If the king asks me to leave, I’ll do so. But you do not get to tell me what to do. Not yet.” She faced Xavier. “Come on.” She made for the door.

Xavier’s icy eyes narrowed at Satin. “It’s nice to meet you,” he drawled sarcastically. He turned to Tristan. “She’s perfect for you,” he muttered, his eyes raking him up and down before he followed Rose.

She knocked on the door, waiting until she heard the king’s voice within. “Come in.”

Rose entered. The queen’s frail body rested on the bed with her eyes closed, rasps filling the humid air. The bloodstained handkerchief was still clutched in her hand. Rose’s heart cracked at the sight.

The king sat in the chair beside her bed, grasping his wife’s free hand. His weary eyes darted to Rose as she crept in. He straightened in surprise, expecting the maids.

“Rose,” the king said, his eyes easing. “What is it?”

The queen’s eyes fluttered at the sound of her name. “Rose? Is that you?”

She gave the queen a small smile. “Yes, and I’ve brought someone who wants to see you.”

She stepped aside to reveal Xavier.

“Hello, Mum,” Xavier said.

Queen Lenna’s eyes widened. Her soul lit up with pure singing joy—so strong it felt like a hot ray of sunlight beating down on her after a long storm. She savored it, welcoming it amidst the overwhelming sadness.

Xavier knelt on the opposite side of the bed from his father, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips.

“Xavier,” the queen said with happy tears, admiring her firstborn as she cupped his face. “You’re really here.”

His eyes glistened, his voice low and rough. “I’m here.” Xavier glanced briefly at his father.

The king gave him a firm nod. “Thank you for coming.”

Xavier’s voice turned abrasive. “I didn’t do it for you.”

One by one, the family filed in, gathering around their mother’s bedside. Rose shifted, feeling like she was prying on an intimate moment. As much as she loathed to say it, maybe Satin had been right. Perhaps it wasn’t her place to be here.

“Would you like me to step out?” Rose asked the king.

As soon as she said the words, Roman’s face strained.

“Stay,” the king requested, his eyes grazing the queen’s. “Perhaps you could help tend to her? I’ve asked the other healers to give us some time alone.”

Rose nodded at once, glad to be useful. “Of course.”

Satin’s fury was evident, not only in her aura but in her narrowed eyes. She leaned in to whisper something to Tristan, who shot Satin a glare, whispering something sharp back before leaving her to move closer to his mother’s bed.

Whatever he’d said, Satin looked like she had been slapped in the face.

Rose tried not to let her siren be too smug about the fact.

Rose opened the balcony to let the fresh air in, making sure the queen had a view of the sea and gardens.

The moons were at their peak in the midnight sky, radiating their bright light alongside the stars.

She did her best to make the queen as comfortable as possible—changing rags, adjusting pillows, stoking the fire, and preparing an herbal tea to ease the pain.

But as busy as she kept her hands, she felt useless.

She desperately wished she could offer something else—anything to heal her.

Staying in that sorrowful room was tormenting. She was ashamed for wanting to escape, if only to take a break from the flurry of emotions that drained her energy. But she couldn’t leave. Not when Roman needed her. Even if she couldn’t comfort him the way she wanted to.

At one point during the long night, the queen placed her hand on Satin’s stomach, peering up with regret, knowing a grandchild was on the way that she’d never meet.

Queen Lenna’s pain was so great that Rose flinched away.

No one left the queen’s side that night. Tristan and Xavier didn’t exchange a single word, but they didn’t fight either, which was in and of itself a miracle. The conversation even allowed for a few good laughs, the beautiful sound filling Rose’s heart with warmth.

With each passing hour, the queen’s breaths grew weaker. Although her spirits were lifted, her fits became less manageable. She coughed more often, wheezing terribly after every fit.

Dawn cast a soft pink glow through the open doors as Rose’s eyes threatened to droop, the lack of sleep and heavy emotions taking their toll on her body. The warmth from the fire she stood by only added to her drowsiness.

“Rose?” the queen’s brittle voice called. Rose lifted her heavy eyes from the fire to the bed. “Come here.” The queen stretched out her hand.

Rose hesitated before obeying, bracing for the inevitable pain that was sure to follow.

She made her way past Harriet sitting on a bench at the foot of the bed.

The king was still at her bedside, while Roman and Xavier sat in chairs on either side.

Tristan and Satin watched her from the daybed against the wall as Rose approached the bed.

She reached for the queen’s hand as a wall of grief slammed into her.

“Rose… you’ve given me… a great many gifts…

some I could’ve never dreamed of having without you.

Thank you…” The Queen rasped between words.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you. And I’m…

so… so sorry.” Queen Lenna squeezed her hand.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t see that you were…

never what kept my family apart… You were what was holding us all together. ”

The heartfelt apology poured out of Queen Lenna with genuine regret. Immediate tears filled Rose’s eyes.

“You beautiful girl,” the queen continued, stroking her hand. “I have one more favor to ask of you… I know you’re not fond of singing… but you have such a beautiful voice… I’d love to hear it… one last time.”