Page 115 of The Throne Seeker (Vallorian #1)

T hough the invitation to join their cause almost sent Xavier’s jaw to the floor, he accepted. It was hard to tell who felt more relieved when Rose announced their departure that night—her mother or Xavier. They all agreed to retreat to Highland Haven until they could gather more information.

Roman hadn’t left Rose’s side since last night. She didn’t need her siren to know how incredibly anxious he was—glancing over his shoulder as they walked through corridors and as they ate. It made her even more nervous than she already was.

The sun dipped into the sea, marking the beginning of the passing ceremony. Typically, the ceremony itself was a momentous affair. However, Tristan had instructed that only a few should be invited. The council agreed that, given recent events, it should remain intimate.

The pathway leading to the beach was marked by tall oversized torches, traditional sun emblems hanging just below them, with beautiful flowers winding between the posts. It was customary for the party to walk down the path together to commemorate and honor their memory one last time.

Tristan and Satin were at the forefront of the small group, with guards positioned on either side.

Rose was surprised to see Satin’s hand clasped in his, the simplicity of the gesture warming her heart.

Although Satin fought hard to portray indifference, it was obvious that she still cared deeply for Tristan.

Satin’s sympathetic glances at his solemn figure had Rose fostering hope that maybe they could resolve their differences after all.

A short distance behind, Xavier and Harriet followed.

A special pain bled from their youngest sister, tears welling in her eyes as she clung to Xavier’s arm, resting her head on his shoulder.

In contrast, Xavier’s face revealed no emotion; his presence was so muted that Rose could barely sense it.

It came as no surprise that he tried to numb the pain.

He had trained himself to block out his feelings.

This was his way of coping, how he could stand it.

To their right stood Roman, Rose, and her mother.

She would have preferred not to walk in the front, but it was customary for the family to lead the way.

Roman needed her beside him, not just for support but also for his sanity, a fact he often reminded her of.

She cherished the way he subtly stroked her hand with his thumb as if reassuring himself that she was still there. Still real.

She was becoming accustomed to the stares, but tonight, Roman had insisted she wear her cloak and hood, trying to minimize the attention. In her opinion, it was quite useless, but it gave him a sense of ease, so she wore it, walking with bare feet that molded into the sand.

The small group made their way to the sea, where towering torches lit the grand boat waiting for them on the shore, carrying the bodies of King Henrik and Queen Lenna.

Rose successfully maintained her composure until her gaze fell upon the king and queen. Seeing their hands intertwined together, lying side by side on the boat… something about the gesture brought up nearly unmanageable grief. Tears welled in her eyes as she clutched Roman’s hand tighter.

The priest came forward and recited the ancient farewell. His words barely reached her ears as she stared at the couple who laid so peacefully together atop the kindling, the lavender blooms and greenery gently releasing their fragrance into the air, carried by the sea breeze.

Twilight had settled in when Tristan took the priest’s place, standing precisely in front of the large boat.

To Rose’s annoyance, her siren came immediately to attention.

“To say we lost the best king Cathan has ever had would be an understatement.” His face remained sober amidst his raging aura.

“But his legacy will stand the test of time, not only in the pages of history but in our hearts. When you look out over the peaceful fields of Cathan, I hope you remember King Henrik and the life he ensured for every person here. What I admired most about my father was that he didn’t just tell me how to be a man; he lived it.

Even on the worst day, he lived what he believed.

” Tristan paused, his jaw tightening as pain flickered in his eyes.

“But what has to be the most inspirational was the love he had for my mother.”

Tristan craned his head to glance at the beached boat behind him.

“She was his whole world. Whenever she had difficult days, he’d drop everything to be with her, no matter how important his other tasks.

Even late at night, he would head to the kitchen, prepare soup, and spoon-feed her himself.

He hated dancing, but he was out on the dance floor at every chance because he knew she loved it.

When he’d leave for duties, she went with him.

They had their own language. They could have a conversation without having to utter a single word, which was infuriating beyond belief.

” He let out a harsh, sharp laugh, then scanned the crowd, shifting to… Rose.

His gaze trapped hers like a viper catches its prey, swift and unsuspecting, suffocating her.

“My father once told me the only reason he was able to be the king he was, was because of the queen he had.” Tristan’s voice finally cracked, his ocean-blue eyes searing into hers as if he was speaking solely to her.

“She was his reason. His light. The good in him. He knew it, and he held on to it. And I truly believe having her by his side made all the difference in the kind of king he became.”

Tristan finally set Rose free as he took hold of a torch and lifted it high above his head. “I promise from this day forward, I will do my best to be a devout king to Cathan like my father was,” he stated, louder now. “I will do my best to honor him by leading Cathan into a new era.”

He held up the torch in the air firmly. “ In strength! ” Tristan yelled at the top of his lungs.

“We can endure!” the large group chanted back, Roman’s voice loud beside her.

“ In truth! ”

“We find purpose!”

“ With loyalty! ”

“We serve!”

“ With honor! ”

“We live, fight, and die!”

“ In love , we surrender!” Tristan added with a roar into the ocean’s waves. He made his way to the boat, lowered the torch, and set it ablaze.

A hot wave blanketed Rose as the sparks crackled and flew into the starry night sky. Several men, including Roman and Xavier, stepped forward. With all their strength, they pushed the boat into the dark water.

Rose’s mother wept beside her, tears brimming in her eyes as she grieved the passing of her dearest friends. In truth, Rose supposed they had been her only family.

She rested her head on her mother’s shoulder, holding her arm with a renewed gratitude for still having her here with her.

Her mother cleared her throat. “I regret that you never experienced that, Rose,” she said with a shaky voice.

“You never got to see how much your parents loved each other, too. I’m sorry he can’t be here; he would have known how to help you.

I wish I had asked him more about his… nature. He made it all look so easy.”

“You did everything you could for me.”

Her mother gave a weak smile, patting her hand.

Rose tossed her gaze out to Roman, a wave of his grief blowing in with the wind.

“Go on, quit fussing over me,” her mother said as she wiped her eyes. “I’ll wait here with the others.”

Rose kissed her on the cheek and set out into the cold water.

She stepped into the sea without hesitation—it was her second home now, and it welcomed her with its waves.

She stopped by Roman’s side, watching the burning boat grow brighter in the dark waters as it drifted further out to sea.

“I understand now why they would rather have it happen this way,” she said, thinking out loud. “This way, it doesn’t seem so permanent, does it? Now, it just feels like they’re setting off to sail on their next adventure together. Only this time, there’s no return.”

“Yes,” Roman whispered, his voice raw. “I think it’s exactly how they wanted it.”

A short pause fell over them.

“In a way, it’s a blessing they got to leave together,” she whispered over the gentle waves.

“I know this may be selfish of me to say, but if you died and I had to watch you go on that adventure without me… I don’t think I could bear to let you leave the shore.

” Her voice broke at the mere thought. She bit her quivering lip.

He shook his head, bringing his dripping hands to her chin, forcing her to look up into his eyes. “I’d be right there along with you. I know I would. I have no idea how your mother survived it all these years.”

Rose looked back at her mother. A newfound appreciation blossomed within her.

“Because she had me,” she whispered in realization.

“She endured all that pain, all of that suffering, for me. I want to be angry at her for keeping the truth from me, but how can I, after all she’s done?

” She looked back into Roman’s eyes. “If we had a child, you’d stay and fight for them, too, wouldn’t you? ”

Roman’s eyes flinched in pain. “It would be extremely difficult, but yes. I’d try to bear it.”

“Me, too.” Tears filled her eyes again as she looked out at the boat, now distant, the flames engulfing every inch of it.

“What’s wrong?” Roman asked her as a tear slipped out.

She took a deep breath, containing the thoughts threatening to run wild.

“I hate knowing I’ll have to watch both you and my mother go on your own adventures eventually.

” She dared to meet his honey eyes. “You realize I’ll live much longer than either of you.

Even if you last to an old age—which I’ll make sure of—everyone will eventually leave me—you, my mother, Zareb, Tristan, Xavier, Harriet…

Everyone I hold dear will be long gone. I don’t think I could go on. ”