Page 46 of The Throne Seeker (Vallorian #1)

R ose bandaged her own wrists, cleaning them in hot water and covering them with Alofa leaves to help with the pain and swelling—though they still throbbed with a dull ache.

But her discomfort was nothing compared to Tristan’s.

The healers were still sewing him up when she arrived.

Tristan didn’t utter a single complaint as the healer worked the needle and thread, but he writhed on the bed, his hand clenched around hers.

The pressure made her wrist throb, but she refused to let go.

A persistent cough played on him, making her fret, but it was a good sign his body was removing the fluids.

Eventually, the challenge results were announced.

Each successor had faced their own task of retrieving a sun medallion.

Tristan had obtained the medallion from around Rose’s neck, just as she claimed the one from the sea beast. Grant had found his amongst the shipwrecks near Crimson Cove, Dawnton had retrieved his from beneath the sea caves, and Emmett had found his on a small, rocky island a few leagues offshore.

Tristan emerged victorious in the challenge, scoring forty-four points. Rose followed with twenty-one, Grant with fourteen, Emmett with thirteen, and Dawnton finished with just eight points—barely surviving the perilous conditions of the caves during high tide.

Everyone had assumed that Tristan had rounded up the sea beast and forced it into submission.

Tristan tried to clarify the misunderstanding, but a single glance from Rose silenced him.

She preferred they believe the story rather than raise suspicions or questions about her ability to communicate with the beast, or the fact that she’d been able to breathe underwater.

How could she explain her survival underwater for so long, aside from Tristan’s bravery?

She didn’t truly understand it herself. And if she were accused of cheating or manipulating the challenge, she risked disqualification from the succession.

Not only did she believe it was the council who had left her stranded on the rock, but the king did as well, mercilessly interrogating each of them.

But they all provided strong alibis. Each one was compelled to swear on the sacred holy relic that only the medallion was meant to hang from the iron truss for Tristan’s challenge—even Lord Martin was present with the king himself at the time.

Either way, no evidence existed of their involvement, leaving them all free and clear from any consequence. Rose remained unconvinced—who was to say they didn’t hire a mercenary to do their dirty work? Cowards.

Though she was quick to blame, she had to admit wrangling a sea beast seemed beyond the council’s abilities, which begged the question of how the sea beast got there in the first place.

Who among them could wield such power? To capture a beast of that magnitude?

To chain it to the ocean floor? All this brought up an even more terrifying question.

If not them, then who?

What was more distressing was that no one had found the seer either. Then again, it’d been no one’s top priority after Rose had been kidnapped, distracting them all from the pursuit.

Her mother and Zareb remained glued to her side, putting on a strong front. But she swore she could tap either one and they’d shatter to pieces on the floor.

Rose also wasn’t ignorant of the fact that Roman kept glancing at her, trying to make eye contact, but she refused to meet his gaze.

The bright light that used to pour through Tristan’s window diminished into a hazy glow. The sunset that evening must have been stunning as its soft pink and orange shades flooded the bedroom.

A small knock came at the door.

Rose didn’t pay any attention to it until one of the healers came to the king, bowing. “It’s the queen and princess of Vertmere,” the healer relayed. “They wish to see Tristan.”

As perplexing as their presence was for her, no one, not even Tristan, seemed as confused as she. The realization made her shift in her stance, suddenly feeling out of the loop.

The king let out a loud sigh. “Let them in.”

Rose leaned toward her mother, whispering, “What are they still doing here?”

“I’m not sure,” her mother whispered back, eyeing the foreign royal pair who’d just entered. “But Vertmerians have strong convictions in divinity and fate, and after today… I’m quite certain the foreigners believe Tristan has both.”

Four emerald-clad guards congregated behind the Vertmerian queen, who pursed her lips in distaste as if she still detested being there.

At that point, Rose thought it may just be her permanent expression.

Her daughter trailed behind her, her light, brown hair neatly pinned up with a crown of leaves as she gazed at Tristan with inquisitive eyes.

“I hope we’re not interrupting,” the foreign queen said, her voice as sharp as a blade.

“Of course not,” Queen Lenna said with a tight smile that didn’t reach her eyes. She stood from Tristan’s bedside. “Won’t you come sit, my dear? You can have my seat.”

The young princess looked to her mother, seeking her permission. Queen Isleen nodded, encouraging her. The princess gracefully settled next to him.

“I hope you’re feeling better,” Princess Satin said to Tristan, her voice light and airy.

Tristan maintained a neutral expression. “I am, thank you.”

“That was quite the display of heroism,” said the foreign queen, her eyes reflecting a rare moment of acceptance—it was the first pleasant expression Rose had seen from the woman.

“I have to say, not many survive an encounter with a sea beast. Most go through their entire life without ever even seeing one. I can see why Cathan is so strong if all your men fight with such valor as you.” She prompted a guard to come forward, bringing a small bottle.

“We brought this soothing balm for your wound. It’s made from calendula that grows near the river by our home; it aids the tissue in regrowth. ”

A flash of surprise flitted across Tristan’s face. “Thank you. That’s very generous of you.” He gave a constrained smile at the unexpected gift.

Rose’s mother emerged from the corner where they stood. “I’m sorry, I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced,” she said, batting her lashes with a large society smile on her face.

The foreign queen shifted to face them, finally acknowledging their presence.

“Pardon my manners,” the king apologized. “This is Queen Isleen, and her daughter, Princess Satin.”

Rose’s mother bowed. “What a pleasure it is to meet you all.” She flashed them another smile as she, Rose, and Zareb bowed politely. “I’m Evelyn, and this is my daughter, Rosalie.”

Queen Isleen’s eyes finally met Rose’s, sizing her up and down, looking at her like a commodity instead of a human.

“It’s so lovely to meet you,” Satin said with a kind smile.

“Are you related to the royal family?” Queen Isleen asked.

“No,” Queen Lenna answered before anyone could speak. “They’re close friends.”

“But they are like family,” Harriet added from across the room, beaming at Rose with bright eyes. “Rose is like the sister I never had.”

The affectionate compliment surprised Rose.

She was sure Harriet was still upset with her for kissing Grant, but perhaps her almost dying had made Harriet find forgiveness faster than she’d expected.

It hadn’t gone unnoticed that Harriet had been distant ever since Xavier’s tribunal.

Perhaps Harriet had partly blamed her for his banishment.

There had been so much going on that she hadn’t really even had a chance to ask.

“I can’t believe you tried to climb,” Satin said to Rose, her brown eyes shining with admiration. “Where in Vallor did you get the strength?”

Rose gave a faint smile, warming to the girl slightly. “Survival instinct, I suppose.”

“It’s nothing but a miracle you both survived,” Queen Isleen confessed to Tristan. “I can’t imagine how you managed to wrangle the beast into letting you onto its back. It was the most magnificent thing I’d ever seen. How in Vallor did you ever do it?”

Apparently, it was a question everyone had been asking themselves as all eyes fell onto Tristan for an explanation. Tristan risked a glance at Rose as if asking what he should say. She gave him a discreet plea with her eyes, praying he wouldn’t spill her secret.

“It wasn’t without difficulty,” he replied, not giving any more detail.

“Well, it’s getting late. We should leave him to get some rest,” Queen Lenna said, looking at Queen Isleen and Princess Satin. “Join us, won’t you? I’m sure dinner is ready and waiting.”

Queen Isleen gave a silent nod, agreeing.

Satin stood, gazing at Tristan. “I hope you get better soon,” she said, bidding him farewell with a sweet smile. Then she looked to Rose. “You, too.”

After they left, Rose turned to her mother and Zareb. “Go and eat. I’m going to stay with Tristan a while.”

Her mother looked at her with soft eyes. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m alright. You must be starving. Go.”

For a moment, she thought her mother would refuse, but instead, she kissed her on the forehead and left.

Zareb hesitated. Out of everyone, he looked the worst. The bags under his eyes were proof of it. “I’ll stay outside the door.”

“I’m alive, Zareb. I’m safe. I’m breathing. Please eat.”

Zareb hesitated a moment longer. “Fine, but I’ll be back later for you.”

Tristan glared at Zareb with narrow eyes as he left. Rose held off until they were alone before she went to sit on Tristan’s bed, reaching for his hand. “You shouldn’t blame Zareb,” she said softly, not letting the glare go unnoticed.

Tristan’s face darkened. “He should have never left you.”

She could have told him Zareb had set out to find the seer, but then she’d have to explain why she’d sought the seer in the first place and what the seer had said during their challenge. She had no desire to delve into that conversation. Not right now. They’d had enough turmoil for one day.