Page 41 of The Throne Seeker (Vallorian #1)

The seer continued, “I see why you are so entrapped by her. You’ve wanted her since you laid eyes on her as a boy. But now… now you want her more than you’ve ever wanted anything. Which makes you incredibly dangerous.”

Tristan’s body stiffened. “She has nothing to do with my worthiness to be king.”

“She has everything to do with it,” the seer rebutted, her gaze floating from Rose back to him. “I can feel how much you desire her. It’s intoxicating to you, a poison. I see why you face such an internal struggle. You feel as though your life is being pulled in two different directions.”

Tristan withdrew his hand. “That’s not—” he attempted to protest, but his mouth stopped him. The lotus’s influence only allowed him to utter the truth.

The seer didn’t need his palm to continue. “If you don’t learn to regulate your passion for her, it will consume you. It’ll drive you to do unspeakable things. It’s time you admit these feelings to yourself and learn how to control them, or you’ll lose yourself in the process.”

Sweat dripped from his brow like rain, desperate to resist. However, the lotus held firm against him. He shifted his gaze from the seer, focusing instead on the flames, gritting his teeth.

But the seer wasn’t done with him. “You need to answer this, Tristan, for yourself more than anyone in this room… Are you afraid of losing her?”

His jaw clenched, reluctant to answer, but she knew the room’s heat and the lotus’s influence would win in the end.

“It’s best not to fight it, Tristan,” the seer prodded.

“Yes,” he blurted out, resentful that she’d made him admit it. “I’m afraid to lose her. Is that so wrong? My ability to love will not impede my ability to rule.”

“But your fear will. Why is it you’re so afraid of losing her?” the seer asked, digging at him.

A long pause filled the room as he fought the herb’s effects, clenching his fists.

“I’m afraid because… I know I’ll never find anything or anyone that compares to her.

The feelings I have for her can never be replicated.

She brings out the good in me. And I fear if I lose her, I’ll lose that—the good.

I fear I’d be a completely different man… someone I don’t want to be.”

The seer leaned forward. “If needed, are you willing to give her up to be the king Cathan needs?”

Tristan shook his head as his face contorted. “I—I… I don’t know.”

Rose sat frozen in the silence that followed as she gaped at him. She’d had no idea how much he’d been struggling.

The seer leaned away, glancing at the council, asking whether they were satisfied. The king responded with a decisive nod.

The seer redirected her misty eyes to Rose and stretched out her hand.

She fought to keep her hand steady as she extended it. The silence in the hut was so strained that the cracks and pops of the fire might as well have been lightning crackling in the sky.

The seer’s gentle, weathered hand grasped hers. With delicate fingers, she outlined the lines on Rose’s palm, each gesture ending with a graceful swirl or a subtle flick. Moving with such elegance, Rose was sure it was an art. She searched for a pattern, but there didn’t seem to be one.

The seer’s movements slowed, nearly stopping as she closed her eyes, as if she had uncovered something new.

Without warning, the seer’s eyes flared back open, now glowing within a frosty blue fog Rose knew she could get lost in if she leaned too close. The sight nearly made her jump.

“I see you’ve come a long way since you were a child.

” The seer’s light voice had altered, now low and raspy.

Her misty eyes remained fixed, locked in a trance.

“It was difficult for you, growing up. Your father was a large source of your suffering, and you feel a great responsibility to take care of your mother.”

Rose shot a quick glance at her mother and Zareb as sweat trickled down her chin, dripping onto her thigh. Please , she pleaded internally, please don’t say anything that could give them away.

As if the seer heard her silent plea, she switched subjects.

“You’ll find you have many possible matches, but only you will have the power to choose who deserves your heart.

When you do, it will create a love unlike any I’ve witnessed.

Powerful enough to destroy both of your deepest demons… ” The seer’s voice faded.

Rose exchanged a longing glance with Tristan, a different kind of warmth radiating from her. He returned her gaze with equal pride.

“I see something else…” The seer’s gaze wandered as if she were stepping into another realm.

“A fork in the road, symbolizing two distinct paths… You must make a choice. But be cautious. I foresee the road you’ll choose will send ripples throughout nations far beyond the borders of Cathan…

You will be a powerful leader, a star, a beacon of hope to many. They will love, serve, and follow you.”

The council remained as motionless as flies in a web, but their narrowing eyes slid to Rose like they had just uncovered a new threat.

The seer’s gaze shifted, focusing on something. “There is something dark that lingers in the distance. It’s hard to see. I fear it may be… It’s…”

The seer dropped her hand as if Rose’s palm had scalded her. The woman blinked, and the foggy mist in her eyes disappeared, fear shining like she’d just woken from a dreadful nightmare.

“What? What is it?” Rose asked, confused.

The woman looked at her solemnly. The Blood King.

A sudden chill ran through her, turning her sweat cold. The seer’s mouth hadn’t moved an inch, but Rose had heard her as clear as day. It was just like how she’d spoken to the phoenix in her mind.

Who? she thought.

If the seer heard her, she ignored the question. You’re in danger here—you need to leave before he finds you.

This time, Rose was certain the seer was speaking into her mind, but she had no time to dwell on the novelty.

What do you mean? Before who can find me? she asked. Please, I have so many questions.

Lord Martin stood, furiously glancing between the two. “What’s going on?” he barked. His angry eyes flashed to the seer. “This isn’t what was agreed upon. We asked for an interview, not this jumble of nonsense. You haven’t asked the girl a single question!”

A murmur of agreement spread throughout the council. Even Lord Barron did not look satisfied.

To Rose’s surprise, the seer rose from the cushion to meet Lord Martin head-on. “I was clear that I am only able to see what is given. The herbs interact uniquely with each person.”

Rose stared at the seer in awe. For some reason or another, the seer was protecting her. But why? Did the seer deem her secrets worth keeping? Or maybe she saw something that needed protecting? She didn’t know. But whatever the seer’s reason—she would be in her everlasting debt.

“This is an outrage!” Lord Martin cried, barging towards the seer. “What are you not telling us, witch?” He reached out to seize the seer, who stood her ground.

But Tristan stepped forward, intercepting Lord Martin’s path, crossing his powerful arms as he silently confronted him—daring him.

The king stood up at once. “Enough, Lord Martin!” he thundered. “Lay a hand on the seer, and I’ll throw you into the dungeons myself for manipulating a succession trial!”

The veins in Lord Martin’s temples bulged as his hands balled into fists, but he was wise enough to contain his fury. He sauntered back to his seat, not bothering to hide his outrage, which matched the rest of the high council.

Lord Martin’s deranged gaze shifted to Rose.

A few days ago, her weaker self would have shrunk. But now? Now she’d mined her inner strength and held her head high. He had aimed, shot, and missed his opportunity to uncover her secrets.

“Tristan, Rose, you’ve completed your challenge,” the king grumbled, his frame still shaking with fury at Lord Martin’s outburst. “You are to speak to no one until we meet back in the grand hall to announce the placements. We’ll follow after we’ve made our decision.”

Her shoulders slumped with relief.

By the grace of the sky and sea gods, she had evaded their trap.

At least this time.