Page 117 of The Throne Seeker (Vallorian #1)

O nce Rose and her mother returned to their rooms, they grabbed their bags without delay and filled them with last-minute essentials.

They did as instructed and stayed in her mother’s room until Roman came for them.

But as the minutes went on, Rose became anxious.

He was late—more than late. He should’ve been here by now.

Her mother gave an exasperated sigh as she put a hand on her hip, tapping her foot. “Where are they?”

“Do you think something’s happened?” Rose asked as she paced.

No sooner had she spoken, a knock came.

Without hesitating, she went to open the door, but it wasn’t Roman or Xavier.

To her utter shock, it was Satin, and she was in tears.

“Satin? What is it?” Rose asked with concern, looking down the hall to see if she was alone. “What’s happened?”

“It’s Tristan,” Satin said in a frail voice, wiping her eyes. “He’s out of control. I-I’ve tried to help, but he refuses to listen to me, no matter how hard I try. You have no idea how much I hate to ask it, but… he’ll listen to you.”

“Wait, slow down. What do you mean out of control?” Rose asked.

“He’s been drinking and breaking things and yelling nonsense ever since he came back from the beach,” Satin explained, sniffling. “I’m afraid he’s going to hurt himself or do something rash. Please, people will start to notice if he keeps carrying on. I don’t know what else to do.”

Rose cursed, knowing full well it wouldn’t be the first time he drank his way to rock bottom. She looked to her mother to see what she thought, but her mother shook her head skeptically. It was a bad idea. No, a horrible one.

“I’m the last person he wants to see right now,” Rose said.

“You and I both know that’s not true,” Satin said with desperate eyes. “I know he may not love me, but I love him . I hate it, but I do, and he’s hurting right now, and I know you’re the only one he’ll listen to… Please,” she begged a final time.

At last, since the first time she’d arrived back, Rose caught a glimpse of the girl she’d known before the wedding—the kind, sweet girl she’d befriended. Perhaps this was finally a way they could part as friends.

Rose let out a defeated sigh. “Give me a moment.”

Satin nodded gratefully as she shut the door. She grabbed her cloak, throwing it on.

“Rose, you can’t be serious,” her mother chided. “If Roman finds out you are?—”

“He’ll understand.” She threw up her hood.

“Rose, I don’t?—”

“He’s lost, Mum. I could feel it at the beach.

He’s about to come undone, and I can’t help the feeling that I put him in that position.

Everyone tells me this isn’t my fault, but it is.

It really is. He is the king of Cathan because I made him be.

That burden is now his because of me . He told me he didn’t want this, that he’d rather leave this all behind, but I didn’t.

I made him stay. He is forced to live this way because of me . ”

“You’re just making excuses because you want a chance to say goodbye,” her mother said, calling her bluff.

Rose’s eyes fell as she opened her mouth to deny it, but instead she said, “I need to help him if I can.”

Her mother released an agitated puff. “Fine, but I’m coming with you. And we have to be back before anyone knows we’ve gone.” Her mother grabbed her own cloak. “Or Roman will kill us both ,” she added with a grumble.

Satin guided them along the lengthy corridor to Tristan’s room. As soon as they approached the door, a loud commotion rang from within, the echoes of the raucous plaguing the empty halls.

“He’s just inside,” Satin said with drooped eyes. “I’m going back to my room. I’m exhausted… and quite frankly, I’m about to puke my guts out.”

Rose gave her a sympathetic look. “Go. I’ll speak with him.”

Satin gave her a firm nod. She’d only taken a few steps when she spun back. “Do you still love him?”

Rose was startled by the abrupt question, but she responded, “I love Roman.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

Rose hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “I care about him. I care about all of them.”

Satin nodded. Her hushed voice carried through the corridor as she said, “I believe you… I’m sorry.”

Without another word, she was gone.

Rose and her mother exchanged glances. “What in Vallor was that?” her mother asked, astounded.

“I don’t know… It’s been a long day for everyone,” Rose said, glancing at the door as she second-guessed her decision.

Her mother raised both hands in surrender. “You were the one who wanted to come.”

Rose rolled her eyes, glad of her support. “I won’t be long,” she promised. She stepped forward through the door, not bothering to knock.

Utter chaos greeted her.