Page 18 of The Throne Seeker (Vallorian #1)

I n the coming days, the servants dedicated hours to preparing the castle—setting up additional rooms, stocking pantry supplies, and rearranging the grand hall for all the supporters coming for the succession.

The groundskeeper had outdone himself, trimming the boxwood bushes on the patio into a perfect replica of Cathan’s sun symbol.

They even added extra torches to light the gardens at night, showing off Rose’s favorite bed of summer carnations.

She knew Xavier’s departure would cast a gloom over the castle, but she didn’t realize how ominous that cloud would be.

Stares and whispers trailed her wherever she went, some out of harmless curiosity, others with harsh judgment.

She would be thankful when the visitors arrived, if only for the sliver of distraction they’d bring.

As promised, she had acquired a personal guard, Zareb.

He was a formidable man, his wide, muscular frame living proof of his prowess.

His deep brown eyes were set in rich beautiful brown skin and framed by buzzed black hair.

He was ten years older than her and rumored to be an exceptional fighter, hand-picked by the king himself.

He’d just returned from the war and hailed from the Semaria province, a fact that explained his refined combat skills.

Despite his intimidating appearance, she soon discovered he was a man of few words, which she found oddly refreshing.

Since her debut, she waited for suitors to call on her, but none did.

Not a single one. While she felt a twinge of relief—and a slightly bruised ego—a growing concern gnawed at her.

Was she not the catch she and her mother had thought?

Were the rumors surrounding them worse than she had feared?

Perhaps they deemed her too low in rank?

Rose thought she might be imagining things until the morning she had tea with her mother on her bedroom balcony. A gentle breeze came from the west, brushing the tablecloth against the stones at their feet while the distant waves crashed onto the shore.

“Rose, I’m worried,” her mother confessed after setting down her teacup on the rounded glass table.

“Why? What’s happened?” she asked, putting her cup down beside her mother’s.

“Nothing, that’s what,” her mother snipped, whipping out her fan and fanning her face in tiny flutters to keep the heat at bay. “So far, no one besides Tristan and Grant have shown the slightest interest in courting you.”

She had a hard time being upset by the fact. “Maybe it’s for the best… I’d only disappoint them.”

Her mother stopped fanning herself. “You most certainly would not. I was there. I saw how they all looked at you. They couldn’t keep their eyes off you!

After the succession nomination, men should be lined up at the door.

It just doesn’t make sense.” She leaned in, lowering her voice.

“You haven’t told anyone of our circumstances? ”

Rose glared at her, appalled. “Of course not.”

Her mother leaned back, flapping her fan once again. “Then what in Vallor are they waiting for?”

“Perhaps they don’t like me as much as you had presumed,” she said, playing devil’s advocate.

“No, I have a keen intuition when it comes to these things. I’m never wrong… But I suppose there’s still time. Tristan will surely be glad to hear—” Her mother stopped, her eyes widening. “Tristan.”

“What about him?”

“ He’s the reason you don’t have suitors!” her mother exclaimed, like she’d just solved a mystery.

Rose gaped in disbelief. “Mum, don’t be ridiculous.”

“I bet he’s made it his mission. It’s certainly something he’d do.”

“What of Grant? He asked to court me.”

“Oh, that’s because Grant is the only one who isn’t afraid of Tristan.

He still can’t officially court you until the king permits him to do so, and Henrik has already made it clear he won’t allow for it until the succession period is over.

” Her mother paused, her eyes searching the air.

“The next time you see Grant, I want you to welcome his advances.”

Rose recoiled at the thought. “Why should I when I have Tristan?”

“That’s just it. You don’t have Tristan. He’s no one’s to have. At least not yet.”

Rose pressed her lips together. Her mother was right, of course. Tristan was as much hers as he was the next girl’s. She had to keep the council thinking she and Tristan were innocent in all of this, and the best way to do that would be to court someone else.

Unless… unless she joined the succession. If she did, it wouldn’t matter if she had any suitors. She wouldn’t have to deceive anyone into marrying her. And if Tristan won, she’d still be queen. If they helped each other, they’d have a good chance at winning back the throne.

She smoothed out the white napkin over her lap. “There is another way,” she said quietly, looking up at her mother.

Her mother knew precisely what she hinted at. “No.”

Rose scooted her chair closer. “Think about it. If I join the succession, it could help our chances at securing a place here.”

“No. I won’t let you risk it.” She shook her head.

She grasped her mother’s soft hand, looking straight into her eyes. “Isn’t this what I’ve been training the last year for? Why I’ve had to hide under all this fabric?” She gripped at her dress.

“We trained to protect ourselves, not to throw ourselves into life-threatening situations, least of all the succession. I thought you didn’t care to be queen.”

“I don’t. But if Tristan wins the succession, I’ll be queen then, too. Either way, I’m destined for it.”

“And if either of you don’t win?”

She shrugged. “Then we’ll be no worse off than we were before.”

Her mother sighed, looking out to the horizon, giving her hope she was at least considering it. She stayed silent, letting her mother think.

Finally, her mother looked back at her, but didn’t say a word.

“I could do it,” Rose said, trying to convince herself as much as her mother. “You know I could.”

At last, her mother’s resolve broke. “Alright. I’ll make you a deal.

I don’t want you to decide now, but if you decide to join the succession, I’ll only support your decision if you promise to keep all avenues open until we are sure of our position, and that includes courting Grant and any other suitable matches. Agreed?”

“Agreed.” After all, Rose was sure it wouldn’t come to that.

Her mother gave a sharp nod. “And if you’re going to contemplate doing this, you’ll need a firm polish on your combat skills. We’ll need someone more skilled than your last trainer. Someone discreet, who will keep the knowledge hidden to give you the element of surprise…”

Rose glanced at her bedroom door, aware of who stood guard just beyond the wooden frame. “I think I know just the person.”

Rose flew through the dense woods on horseback, Zareb trailing behind.

The clear sky easily allowed the sunlight to stream through the gaps of the leafy branches, casting dancing shadows across the forest floor, offering just the right conditions for the wild plants to thrive.

The smell of damp soil filled her nostrils, still wet from the light rain last night.

It was a welcome change of scenery from the castle’s hustle and bustle.

It had been months since she last rode bareback, which was a shame, because she couldn’t keep the smile off her lips as she urged her steed to its limits. Her brown hair flew wildly in the wind, relishing the simple joy of a silly race. Zareb was at her heels, quickly closing the distance.

He surged ahead right before arriving at their destination, claiming victory.

As they neared the small stream, they both slowed down to a stop, letting the horses drink.

“You ride well,” Zareb praised, catching her off guard by taking the initiative to speak first. “But I still won, so not that well, I’m afraid,” he poked with a dry tone, still straight-faced.

She raised an eyebrow. It was the first sentence he’d strung together that consisted of more than three words, and teasing no less. “Well, you’re the soldier. I would hope you’d be.”

They climbed off their horses and tied them to a stumpy tree trunk. She gave her horse a thankful pat before walking into a small clearing. Zareb followed suit, not far behind.

“What are we doing out here?” He seemed more at ease now that they’d gained distance from the castle. Maybe he was just as glad for the scenery change as she was.

She shrugged. “I just needed to get out for a while.”

“Is that why you kept looking over your shoulder to make sure no one was following?”

She stopped, his dark eyes fixed on her. He was too perceptive for his own good. Even knowing it was probably a fool’s errand, she decided to put aside casualties and get straight to the point.

She faced him head on. “I need to tell you something, and I need you to promise to keep it between us.”

A hint of curiosity shone in his eyes. “I promise.”

Zareb’s expression appeared too sincere to be dishonest. Over the past few days, she had grown used to having Zareb by her side, even a bit fond of him. And maybe it was because the king had trusted Zareb first, but she’d come to trust him, too.

For the first time, aside from the royal family and Beth, she thought maybe she could have a real friend.

So she opened up to him. “I’ve been training in combat for the past year.

I’m a decent fighter, but my last trainer doesn’t hold a candle to your physical skills…

I know this is improper of me to ask, but I was wondering—I mean, I was hoping—if you’d be willing to continue my training? I’m afraid I can’t pay you, but?—”

“No,” he said, saving her from her ramblings.

Her hope sank, his hasty answer making her falter. “I know it’s a small risk?—”

“A small risk ?” Zareb exclaimed in an mock-whisper, looking over his shoulder at the empty forest. “You have more enemies here than you think. The council does not want you on that throne. If they find I’m aiding your chances in the succession, and if you don’t win, I could lose my position and title here.

Not to mention, it’s not customary to train a lady of the court. ”

She understood his hesitation. To rise to Zareb’s title and rank within Cathan’s guard was no small feat, especially coming from an outside province.

If he went against the council’s wishes and they saw it as disobedience, he could lose the home he’d worked a lifetime to earn.

He had to keep the favor of the council if he wished to remain in Cathan.

“I’m the first woman of the court to be nominated for the succession in nearly fifty years,” she said, challenging his rebuttal. “I would say customs and traditions are damned at this point, wouldn’t you? If I join the succession, how will I stand a chance at the throne without proper training?”

“Then ask the king to get you a proper teacher. I’m not the one you need.” He tried to sidestep her, but she blocked him.

“You’re the only one people won’t be suspicious of if we spend time alone together. Please, Zareb… You’re the only one I trust.”

He paused, searching her eyes that were sure to be reeking with desperation.

“I promise I won’t be wasting your time,” she added, just on the off chance that it was one of his reservations.

Zareb’s stern brow grew together like she’d offended him.

“I’m not worried about time or money.” Another long silence followed as Rose patiently waited for him to think.

But to her utter dismay, he shook his head.

“I’m sorry, Rose, but I have my own reasons.

You’ll have to find a different teacher. ”

She tucked in her chin, trying to hide her crestfallen face. She had no choice but to accept his answer this time. “Of course. It was too much to ask in the first place.”

Zareb studied her a moment longer, looking like he was about to say something, then thought better of it. He cleared his throat, gesturing to the horses. “Come on… We should get you back.”