Page 116 of The Throne Seeker (Vallorian #1)

“It’s a good thing you chose someone younger than you,” he joked, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Rose let out a short laugh, nodding as she looked down, wiping away a tear.

Roman leaned in close, and with Tristan present, she stiffened, thinking he might forget and kiss her anyway.

Instead, he said, “You don’t need to worry about that right now.

I’ll stay with you every second my weak human body allows,” he vowed.

Then, lowering his voice to a whisper, he added, “I am yours.”

Rose choked back a sob. “And you are mine,” she whispered.

The waves relentlessly crashed against their knees, but she ignored the chill. Roman, on the other hand, shivered.

She nudged him. “Come on.”

The small party had already departed, trekking their way back to the distant castle, leaving only Xavier, Tristan, Harriet, and Rose’s mother behind. Satin had left with the others, her maid helping lead her back up to the castle.

A weighted silence fell over them as they took a moment to recognize this was all that was left of their family.

“What happens now?” Harriet asked her brothers bluntly. Her eyes were puffy as her dark, curled hair flowed with the breeze. “Will you finally set your differences aside? Or is this where everyone parts ways?”

No one spoke as guilt wrenched a gaping hole in Rose’s heart. They all knew the answer.

Harriet’s desperation for hope sent her gaze to Xavier, holding him accountable. “Are you going back to Amernth?”

“No,” Xavier said. Harriet’s relieved expression only lasted a moment as he added, “But I’m not staying either.”

Glaciers collided as Harriet’s eyes met her brother’s. “Xavier?—”

“Good, because this is no longer your home,” Tristan interrupted. “I allowed you to remain for our parents’ sake, but your banishment is reinstated… Leaving shouldn’t be hard,” he added with malice. “It’s what you’re used to.”

Harriet’s eyes widened in outrage.

Xavier took a few threatening steps toward his brother. “You’re right. I have no desire to stay. With you as our king, we’re all doomed. Give your reign a few months, and Cathan will be nothing but another set of ruins.”

Tristan turned hostile as he moved closer, narrowing the gap between them.

“And whose fault is that, brother ?” Tristan provoked, his repressed anger finally spilling over.

“ You were supposed to be the one in my place. You were supposed to be king. But you opted out like a coward, leaving me to pick up what you so carelessly abandoned, sending everyone’s lives into chaos, but most especially mine.

I didn’t ask for you to give up the crown.

My life would be entirely different if you hadn’t destroyed everything.

All of this could have been prevented if you hadn’t gone after Rose and just stayed! All of this is your fault—all of it!”

Rose stepped forward to intervene, but Roman stuck an arm out to stop her. “They need to do this,” he whispered.

Her anxious eyes went back to them. This wouldn’t end well.

“You’re right, Tristan,” Xavier said with an antagonizing nod.

“I should’ve never considered your feelings.

I should’ve taken everything for myself, never let you have the throne, and I sure as hell never in a thousand lifetimes should have let you have her !

” he shouted, pointing to Rose. “I willingly gave her to you, and you still managed to make a mess of things. Thank the gods Roman was here to help her escape you. Even though, given the chance, I would’ve saved her, too.

But you, filthy coward, made sure I was out of the picture, fearing she’d pick me over you.

” He advanced towards Tristan, his breath fogging Tristan’s face.

“So tell me… how does it feel to know after all that, she still picked another brother?”

The air left her lungs.

Shit.

It was a mere second before Tristan’s fist flew through the air.

Xavier was ready for him, evading the punch and quickly countering with a strike of his own. His fist connected with Tristan’s jaw with such force, Tristan staggered backward.

Tristan spat out the blood oozing from his mouth. His feral eyes lifted as he drew his sword in a single fluid motion.

Xavier followed suit, unsheathing his own sword.

Years of hatred all came out in one explosive storm.

Each held nothing back as they fought, their swords clashing together, hit after hit, swing after swing. Tristan kept coming for Xavier, lashing with all his might. Xavier stood firm, parrying his brother’s blows. Both were evenly matched, channeling their pain and anger into every strike.

At last, Tristan found an opening and went straight for Xavier’s head?—

Rose took an involuntary step forward.

Xavier found his footing, twisting away. As Tristan exposed his arm, Xavier struck, landing a blow on his shoulder. A deep gash opened, spilling blood onto Tristan’s cloak. Snarling, Tristan retaliated, swinging back with fury.

Xavier barely had time to retreat, leaning away to dodge his blade, but it still didn’t stop it from slicing into his chest. Xavier cringed for a heartbeat.

But that was enough time to allow Tristan to advance. Despite his wounded arm, he shoved Xavier to the ground. A fearsome glare darkened his gaze.

“Stop!” Harriet cried, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Stop it, please!”

Xavier sprang back to his feet, clutching his bloodied chest. He grunted as he swung, fueled by fresh rage. He advanced, pushing Tristan backward toward the sea.

They were going to kill each other.

Rose turned to Roman in desperation. “If you don’t do something, I will.”

Roman clenched his teeth, knowing he’d have to intervene. He unsheathed his sword and positioned himself between them. In two quick moves, he’d knocked Xavier to the ground and deflected Tristan’s strike, making him to tumble into the sand next to Xavier.

“Enough!” Roman bellowed in a voice that reminded Rose of his father.

Tristan and Xavier glared up at their youngest brother from the ground, collecting their ragged breaths.

Tristan was the first to stand up, but instead of lunging for Xavier, he stormed straight for Rose.

Driven by pure protective instinct, Roman maneuvered his way in front of her. But the action only escalated Tristan’s rage.

With a powerful shove, Tristan almost knocked Roman into the sand.

“Tristan, stop!” Harriet begged.

“Tell me it’s not true,” Tristan seethed, glaring at Roman.

Roman didn’t deny it, guilt lying just behind his eyes. “Now isn’t the time, Tristan.”

Tristan snatched Roman’s collar, bringing him face to face.

“You’ve been in love with her this whole time, haven’t you?

” Tristan shouted. “Admit it! I always thought it was just an innocent crush, but now I see you were just biding your time, waiting for the right moment to take her for yourself. You forced me to get married, feeding me all this bullshit that it was for the good of Vallor. The marriage contract was for no one’s benefit but your bloody own! ”

Tristan’s fist collided with the side of Roman’s face.

Roman took the hit, his head snapping to the side. Ever so slowly, he turned his head back to Tristan. “I’m letting that go for the simple fact I understand your anger. But I hope you got it out of your system because it won’t be happening again.”

Tristan’s malicious glare shifted to Rose, his jaw quivering with rage. Utter betrayal strewed in his deep-blue eyes. She sensed the brewing of an angry hurricane. And she was looking into the eye of the storm.

Before she could find words, Tristan stalked away.

“Tristan, wait.” Rose tried to follow, taking a few shaky steps in the sand. “Wait!”

Roman grabbed her arm. “Let him go.”

She had no choice but to watch his retreating silhouette with pained eyes. “I should’ve told him… He shouldn’t have had to find out like that.”

Roman glared at Xavier, still on the sand, clutching his chest. “Yeah, thanks for that.”

Rose took a calming breath and turned to Xavier. “Are you alright?” She reached for his torn tunic to get a closer look at the wound.

“I’m fine,” Xavier snapped, swatting her hand away as he stood.

She masked the flinch of hurt.

Roman, however, came at Xavier, aggressively swinging his sword at him. Xavier’s eyes widened as he attempted to block his blow, but just like Tristan’s, his sword fell uselessly onto the sand.

Roman pointed his sword at his throat. “She’s trying to help you,” Roman fumed, infuriated.

“All she’s ever done is try to help you.

What have you done to help her ? What have you done to help any of us?

You bloody left . You left me to finish a war you started.

You left Tristan to pick up your crown while you rode off, washing your hands of this place.

Blame Tristan all you want, hate him if you wish, but just know who you really hate is yourself.

Take my advice and stop feeling sorry for yourself.

Take control of your life before it takes you.

” Roman dropped his voice. “And if you ever try to kiss her again, I’ll break your jaw just to make sure you never can. ”

Rose gazed at Roman, astounded, not sure if she should be thankful or scared.

Roman sheathed his sword and reached for her hand. Her mother stood closely behind, prepared to follow them back to the castle.

Harriet stopped them. “You’re leaving, too, aren’t you? Take me with you,” she pleaded as she hung on to Roman’s arm. “Please. I’ll die here. Don’t leave me with him.”

Roman’s regret shone through as he put a hand on her shoulder. “Where we’re going is too dangerous.”

Harriet’s eyes narrowed. “What of Evelyn? How is it she’s able to come along but I am to be left behind?”

“She has a point,” Rose’s mother agreed.

Rose shot a glare at her mother. Not helping. “It’s too dangerous for her to stay,” she told Harriet. “Men are looking for me, powerful men. I can’t allow them to take my mother to get to me. And she’s had her own training. She’s not defenseless.”

Harriet looked between her brothers. “So that’s it, then?” she cried. “You’re both going to choose her over me again?”

“You know that’s not true,” Xavier said as his jaw clenched.

“Isn’t it?” Harriet argued. “If it wasn’t for her, you’d have no reason to leave.”

“I have every reason to leave,” Xavier pointed out.

Harriet’s eyes brimmed with tears as she turned to Rose. “Please. Please take me with you. He’ll make me marry someone I don’t love, and I’ll be sentenced to a life I don’t want.”

Rose recognized the feeling radiating off Harriet. “You love someone already, don’t you? You want to run away and be with him.”

Harriet’s eyes widened in disbelief. “How do you know?”

“Because I could feel you when you danced with him last night,” she said.

Xavier and Roman immediately came to attention.

“Who?” Xavier demanded.

Harriet lifted her chin despite his scolding eyes. “Conrad Ledgum.”

“The Ledgums?” Roman raised an eyebrow. “They’re barely considered a part of the court.”

Harriet folded her arms stubbornly. “Which is precisely why I didn’t tell anyone. I knew you’d all look at me like that.”

“Tristan will never allow you to be with him, and neither would our parents,” Xavier said. “And quite frankly, neither would I. You’re barely sixteen.”

“Like I said, that’s why I didn’t tell you,” Harriet said with a snap.

Guilt festered in her. Harriet, who had been one of her closest friends growing up, who’d always defended her among her peers at court up until this summer, had been brushed aside as of late. And now, with her parents gone… it didn’t seem fair.

“Is there no way she can come with us?” Rose whispered to Roman.

Roman shook his head. “If these men are truly sirens, there is no guarantee I can protect her. Hell, I don’t even know if we can protect ourselves. She’ll be far safer here.”

She couldn’t help but agree.

Harriet guessed their answer. Her voice trembled as she asked, “When are you leaving?”

“Now,” Roman answered. “Before anyone realizes we’ve gone.”

“Fine,” Harriet replied, a tear slipping down her cheek. “I guess this is goodbye, then.” Harriet moved to leave, but Xavier grabbed her arm.

“I’ll come back for you,” he promised. “When the time is right, I swear I’ll return for you.”

“I just lost Mom and Dad,” Harriet whispered, her lower lip shaking. “And now I’m losing you both, too. Just… just do me a favor and leave.” Harriet yanked her arm back and turned on her heels, striding towards the castle through the night.

The four looked after her with despair. Silence loomed over them, save for the ocean waves rising with the tide.

“We should try to smooth things over with her,” Xavier said to Roman with a solemn expression. “Who knows when the next time we see her will be.”

Rose agreed with Xavier. “We’ll meet you both at the stables in an hour.”

Roman hesitated, about to argue, but Rose shot him a pleading look.

“It’s Harriet,” she whispered, her eyes flickering between his.

Roman caved, knowing she was right. “Fine,” he said. “But go straight to the room and don’t come out until I’ve come for you.”

“We’ll be ready,” she promised. She glanced at Xavier’s bleeding chest. “And be sure Xavier gets that looked at before we leave.”