Page 109 of The Throne Seeker (Vallorian #1)

“She’s done nothing but try to rip this castle apart!

Don’t let her persuade you with her beauty and fancy words,” Lord Martin drawled, seething.

He pointed his grubby finger at her. “This woman has earned her title as the throne seeker for a reason. She could be using her powers right now to deceive us. Do you all think it’s a coincidence she’s reached for the most powerful men in Cathan?

They had no idea of the trap laid out for them, enticing them to act against their nature.

Just as the night Xavier was banished from our lands.

” His gaze went to Xavier. “I’m surprised you bothered to return, given the circumstances.

Did you forget how she stole your life from you? Your succession?”

Xavier’s eyes iced over. “Let me make this very clear,” he said in a voice that could have most assuredly made him king.

“She did nothing but what I wanted her to. I manipulated her . She is innocent in my failed succession. I chose my fate. My father may have lifted my banishment for my mother’s sake, but the only reason I’ve chosen to remain in this hellhole is because of her. ”

“Look how he defends her! After everything she’s taken from him,” Lord Martin exclaimed. “She may not be queen, but look where she is standing. Look who is standing beside her. Do not be fooled by her perceived lack of ambition. She has positioned herself exactly where she wants to be.”

She balled her fists, hating how Lord Martin had struck a chord within her. Because deep at her rotten core, her siren was attracted to power. It was in her nature, embedded in her very design, no matter how much she wished it wasn’t.

She remained calm. “I’m here only because I care about Vallor’s future. This is my home, and I will serve my province however I can.”

Another round of mumbles rippled around the room.

Tristan finally intervened. “Rose had nothing to do with the attack; there are plenty of witnesses, including myself, to attest to that. So unless someone has actual evidence against her, I suggest we find the real murderer.”

None opposed it as Lord Martin fumed in silence.

Tristan cleared his throat. “Right then. Captain,” he called to the guard, giving his orders on how to proceed with the interrogations.

Rose released a large breath as the tension eased from her body. She locked eyes with Lord Barron, offering him a sincere bow of the head in gratitude for his continued faith in her.

His handsome eyes crinkled with a smile. He inclined his head back as if to say he was in her service.

To her surprise, he and several other high councilmen came to speak with her, intrigued to see her transformation firsthand.

Even Lord Orrin and those councilmen who had opposed her during the succession participated in the conversation—all except for Lord Martin, who stormed out, taking his livid aura with him.

It would seem Rose had earned her place back in court.

For now.

When she finally escaped the conversation, she found Tristan standing at the foot of the staircase, studying her. She drifted over to join him at the base of the stairs.

“What you just did—” he gazed over at the huddled council before swinging his gaze back to her, “—is exactly why I wanted you by my side. I don’t care what your insecurities were… You would’ve made an incredible queen.”

Her heartbeats increased at the praise.

He came closer, lowering his voice. “I’m sorry I never knew about your father,” he whispered into her ear, his aura full of mixed emotions she couldn’t pinpoint.

“Gods, if I had… I’d have never let you go back.

I’ll forever be amazed by you.” His lips brushed her cheek as he said the words. “Always.”

Rose kept her body carefully still. “Is that why you had me speak?”

“I knew you’d win them over better than I could,” he admitted.

“With them on your side, you’ll be safer…

and despite all that, I suppose I did it for selfish reasons, too.

You’ve always been the one person who believed I could do this.

My biggest supporter… I guess I just wanted you here with me to see it. ”

She looked at him softly. “I’m glad I could be. Truly. I just wish it was under different circumstances.”

Tristan couldn’t even force a smile, pain leaking from his frayed edges. He cleared his throat. “I should go help with the affairs.” He gave her a curt nod, leaving her to return to the council.

Rose watched him as he joined the three councilmen huddled under the south balcony. Her siren couldn’t help but admire him in his element. He’d finally done it. He would finally fulfill the role he’d fought so hard for.

Xavier appeared by her side, snapping her out of her daze. “Attention suits him, doesn’t it?” He masked his expression, but his aura exposed his agitation over her lingering gaze.

“He was born a leader… just like his older brother,” she said.

Xavier’s eyes clamped onto hers. His anger dissipated as he asked, “Would you have been my queen?”

“What do you think? My teenage heart was half out of its mind in love with you,” she replied before thinking.

Xavier’s jaw locked. His eyes fell to the floor, then he nodded as if accepting his fate. “I hate that word… was. ”

She softened with empathy. “Can you do me a favor? Just promise me when the next girl comes along that shatters your world, you won’t let her slip through your fingers.”

Xavier’s icy eyes sliced through her like a winter storm. “You shattered my world when I was only ten. The pieces have long since been lost and will never be put back together… Not so long as you exist in it.”

Her jaw slackened, caught off guard. She had no clue what to say. But before she could utter a word, he left.

Despite the growing distance, pain poured from his retreating figure in such powerful waves it paralyzed her.

After a moment of recovery, Rose let out an exhausted breath, running her fingers roughly through her hair. What a mess tonight was turning out to be.

She turned to find warm, golden sands waiting for her—a scorching desert she happily welcomed, until she saw the hard expression Roman wore. He approached her with controlled steps.

His voice was short and crisp as he said, “I’m going to help the head guard with the interrogations.”

“I’ll come with you,” she said, knowing her siren would be able to pick up things they couldn’t.

“No. Stay with your mother.”

Her heart fell. “But I could help?—”

“Please, Rose. Just do as I ask,” Roman snapped with a glare.

The quicksand she was teetering on swallowed her whole. She was so surprised by the hostility in his eyes, she did as commanded. “Okay.”

Without so much as a backward glance, he left.

It felt like he had just shoved her from the astronomy tower, leaving her to fall until her body and soul splattered on the cobblestones.

She deserved it.

A taste of her own medicine.

Her lungs refused to function as her eyes watered. She tried to steady her trembling breaths, grateful for the dim glow of the ballroom candles to cast a shadow over her face. She shifted her weight, her feet aching to be freed of these ridiculous heels.

Without another word, she left.

She didn’t care if someone lurked in the corridors with an arrow aimed at her heart.

In fact, she quite hoped for it.