Page 50 of The Throne Seeker (Vallorian #1)

T he next day, after their training session, Rose persuaded Zareb to race her through the forest. He was on fire today.

She thought he would win, but to her ever-growing pride, she triumphantly made it back first to the castle grounds.

Zareb insisted he had allowed her to win.

She would have challenged him again just to prove him wrong, but they were both in desperate need of a bath, and her mother would scold her relentlessly if she were late for the celebration that night—a festivity honoring Tristan.

Their new successor. The fact was still settling in.

They were just reaching the stables when a messenger appeared for Zareb. She didn’t pay it any thought until Zareb returned with a grave frown on his face. In her short amount of time knowing him, she’d never seen him look this nervous.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’ve been summoned to the high council’s chambers,” Zareb replied, his voice strained.

Her stomach dropped ten stories. “What does it mean?”

“I don’t know, but nothing good, I fear.”

What in Vallor could they possibly want? He’d done nothing wrong. She suddenly felt ill, remembering the outcome of Xavier’s tribunal. “I’m coming with you.”

“I don’t want you there,” Zareb said firmly, but the hint of fear beneath his bravado gave him away.

“I’m coming,” she stated, crossing her arms.

They argued back and forth, but she wouldn’t be dissuaded. She swore at Zareb up and down until he had no choice but to bring her, muttering curses under his breath that she was more stubborn than an ass on branding day.

They arrived at the council chambers in record time. She expected to see the king and his council at the high table but was stunned to find only Tristan in the king’s seat, the sunlight streaming in through the windows to shine on his loosely curled blond hair. He did not look pleased.

“Of course you’d bring her along to try to save yourself,” Tristan said in an icy tone. “I told you to come alone.”

Rose’s eyes widened in disbelief— Tristan was the one who had sent for Zareb?

“I tried to make her wait outside, your Highness,” Zareb stated calmly, not rising to his anger.

“I insisted on coming,” she said, stepping forward. “What’s the meaning of this? Where’s the high council?”

Tristan stood from his seat. “I thought I would be merciful and deal with this myself now I am second-in-command.” His gaze went back to Zareb. “Do you know why you are here?”

Zareb nodded, his back straightening. “Yes.”

“And when my father hand-selected you to be her sole protector, did you or did you not make an oath you would keep her from harm or die trying?”

“Yes, I did.”

“And you were aware of the consequences if you failed?”

“Yes.”

Consequences? What consequences? He didn’t mean?—

Rose’s eyes snapped to Zareb. He’d made a life oath.

Idiot . Stupid idiot . Her safety wasn’t worth his life.

He was worth a thousand of her. He had been a commander of Vallor’s most powerful army.

Didn’t he realize how insignificant her life was compared to his?

He was a fool to put her life above his own.

And she was a fool for not realizing it sooner.

This wasn’t happening. There had to be some misunderstanding. Tristan wasn’t actually trying to blame Zareb for her kidnapping. He couldn’t. She wouldn’t allow it.

Rose opened her mouth to speak, but Tristan got there first. “I don’t know what it’s like in Semaria, but in Cathan, we take our oaths very seriously.

” His mouth tightened into a thin line. “You understand the events leading up to the third challenge give me grounds to take your life to satisfy your oath?”

She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “He’s done nothing wrong. You can’t?—”

“You’re right,” Zareb said over her words. “I failed her.”

She gaped at Zareb with outrage. No, no, she wouldn’t let him die. She wouldn’t let them do this. She’d fight them all. She’d—she’d?—

Tristan’s eyes narrowed. “And have you been training her?”

Her limbs froze. How had he found out? She was about to deny it, but Zareb said, “Yes, I have.”

Tristan’s eyes hardened, shifting back to hers, betrayed. “You lied to me, again .” His voice was low and cruel—so unlike him.

She took a step forward. “I’m sorry. I should’ve told you the truth, but please, don’t punish Zareb for that, too. I asked him to do it. He didn’t want to, but I insisted he teach me to help me with the succession.”

Tristan didn’t bother responding as his demeaning glare shifted back to Zareb. “Is this true?”

“I thought it’d help her in the challenges,” Zareb said. “She’ll tell you it was her idea, but it was all mine. She’s trying to protect me.”

She fumed at the blatant lie.

Tristan looked over Zareb carefully. “You’re a good commander, Zareb.

You’ve helped Cathan fight and win many battles, some alongside me.

You’ve been loyal to the crown, and I know you hold a special place in Rose’s heart.

It is for those reasons, and those reasons only, that I will not take your life or strip you of your title. ”

Her shoulders slumped in relief. But it was short-lived.

Tristan’s eyes turned into an icy sea. It was a look that would serve him well when he was king. “However, I cannot allow you to stay. Since you seem so keen on training soldiers, I’m sending you with a group of men back to your homeland.”

Her heart shattered into pieces. “You can’t?—”

“Yes, of course, your Highness.” Zareb accepted his punishment with poise as he bowed. “Thank you.”

She couldn’t let this happen. “This is ridiculous! It wasn’t his fault I was kidnapped.”

Tristan remained unfazed, his face determined. “It is his fault. And my decision is final.”

“But it’s not fair!”

“Rose, please,” Zareb whispered—but she wasn’t having it.

She strode up to Tristan, coming face to face to the man she loved, lowering her voice. “Please, I’ll do anything,” she begged, pleading for any sign of mercy. “Please don’t send him back there… please . You have the power to stop this. The council need not ever know.”

To her utter devastation, Tristan’s expression remained as solid as steel. “You could have died in that cove. Don’t make this worse for him.” He faced Zareb. “I’ll give you until nightfall to gather your things. Consider yourself lucky I showed you mercy.”

“Of course. Thank you, your Highness.” Zareb bowed.

Without another word, Tristan stalked out of the room, leaving devastation in his wake. Her throat closed off. What had she done?

Anxiety crept up as she attempted to calm her thundering heart. Her eyes darted around, thinking of a plan. “I’ll talk to him. I’ll get him to change his mind—or I’ll talk to the king. He wouldn’t allow for this.”

“Don’t,” Zareb said at once. “It’ll only make things worse. If we involve him or the council, the outcome could be far more detrimental.”

“But I forced you into it,” she whispered. Her hands went to her temples. “This can’t be happening.”

Zareb gently pushed her hands away, cupping her face. “I’d do it all again if I had the choice.”

Tears pricked at the backs of her eyes. “It’s—it’s all my fault.” Her breaths shook in her chest.

“No,” Zareb answered with all the reassurance in the world. “It’s not your fault. He’s right. I failed to protect you. I failed in my oath.”

A tear escaped, trickling down her cheek. “But you’re my best friend… I don’t think I can do this without you.”

Zareb tilted her chin up. “You can do all of it and more. You’re strong—so strong, Rose. Stronger than me, stronger than anyone I’ve ever known. Guilt is a heavy burden to bear, I know. I carried it with me for a long time, so long I thought it might break me. Promise me you won’t do the same.”

She couldn’t possibly keep a promise like that. Guilt was her constant companion. She’d carried it with her like an invisible bag sagging on her shoulders. She’d practically drowned in it.

Instead, she pretended to be strong, nodding weakly.

She’d try.

For him.

“You must promise me one more thing,” Zareb continued.

“Promise me that when you feel utterly alone, you’ll remind yourself you need no one else.

That when you look down at the two hands in front of you, you’ll remember they are the only ones you need.

Not mine, not Tristan’s, not your mother’s— yours .

Hold yourself with them, and remind yourself that only you can give yourself the love you deserve—love far more important, pure, and true than any other human can give you. Remember that.”

Another warm tear slipped down her cheek as she weakly nodded again.

“I put your sword in the grove where we practice, near the large tree we rested against. Find it, keep it safe. Don’t let them take it from you.”

She forced her eyes to meet his. To her utter shock, his polished brown eyes were filled with moisture.

“You are a light, Rosalie. Don’t let anyone dim it or take it away.” Zareb gently brushed a tear away from her cheek with his rough thumb. “I’ll miss you.” His deep voice cracked.

“I’ll miss you, too.” She wept.

She lowered her eyes, unable to keep herself from breaking out into more tears. So she stepped forward and threw her arms around his neck.

He hugged her back with fierce arms, lowering his head to rest on her shoulder as they said their final farewell.