Page 56 of The Throne Seeker (Vallorian #1)

G rant had left hours ago to speak with his parents.

She had never seen him in such high spirits.

It made Rose feel slightly better to know that at least someone was happy about the whole situation.

Her mother had spoken to his parents at tea and considered them “quite agreeable,” confident they’d accept her as their daughter-in-law.

Everything was falling into place.

Rose forced herself not to think of Tristan, trying to numb the pain in her heart, if only to save her poor swollen eyelids. She had been avoiding the grand hall for this very reason.

Her mother had mentioned that the treaty negotiations had been…

strenuous. They had held the final meeting hours ago, but Rose had received no updates.

It was nearing dinner when her stomach grumbled.

She was no longer able to prolong the inevitable.

So, equipped with the best internal armor she could muster, she went downstairs.

As she entered the grand hall, the first thing that caught her attention was the high front table, which was at full occupancy.

Everyone was there—King Henrik, Queen Lenna, Roman, Harriet, Tristan.

Additionally, both of Satin’s parents were present—even her father, Vertmere’s king, sat with his family. Satin was seated beside Tristan.

And she was wearing a large, shiny ring on her left finger.

Rose swore a rusty sword had been thrust into her chest from the pain that erupted within her, leaving her bleeding out on the floor for everyone to see. She had her answer.

Tristan had signed the treaty.

In that instant, Rose realized she’d held on to a stupid, na?ve hope that he wouldn’t sign it. That he wouldn’t listen to her. That he really would’ve thrown the world into chaos just to be with her. But she knew it could never be. He had done precisely what she had forced him to do.

She tried to hide all emotion, but she was sure the betrayal was all over her face as she stared at the ring. Satin was speaking to him, looking up at him with adoring eyes.

It wasn’t until Tristan’s gaze collided with Rose’s that she was roused from her daze as she stood in the doorway. In that moment, she swore she caught a flash of an ache slip onto his face. However, the longer his eyes lingered, the more they hardened before they shifted back to Satin.

Then he did something that made her stomach heave.

He slipped his hand into Satin’s.

Satin looked down at their hands as a pink flushed her cheeks, openly receiving his gesture.

Devastation hashed its way through her heart.

Rose was so entrapped in her own body that she didn’t even notice someone coming towards her to save her from herself.

“Rose,” Grant said, his handsome eyes looking at her with his infamous large smile. “I’m so glad you came. You look beautiful.”

She forced a strained smile like she hadn’t just been trampled under a stampede of elephants.

He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her forehead, intertwining his fingers with hers. “Come on,” he said, gesturing to the far table. “Your mother and my parents are waiting for us.” His eyes flickered in Tristan’s direction.

It was then she recognized just what Grant was doing. He must have seen the interaction between Rose and Tristan and was throwing the gesture back. It was a calculated move on Grant’s part—his challenging gaze goading Tristan with no sense of remorse.

She didn’t look back to see Tristan’s reaction. But she didn’t have to. Grant’s large smirk was all she needed to see.

She gave Grant a thankful squeeze with her hand, and he squeezed back, keeping her hand firmly in his as they approached the table.

“Mum, Dad, I don’t think we’ve all been properly introduced.” Grant gestured to Rose. “This is Rosalie. Rose, my parents. Neith and Lilly.”

Rose did her best to slip a bright smile onto her trained face. They were a beautiful couple. Both had the same blond hair as Grant, his face taking after his mother’s. Her smile lit up her whole face, reminding her of Grant’s large grin.

“Hello, darling,” Lilly said as they stood, holding her hand out to her. “It’s so wonderful to formally meet you.”

Neith, a large, intimidating man, even gave her a tight smile. “It’s nice to finally meet the sea rider.”

The sea rider?

“That’s what everyone’s been calling you after what happened in the third challenge,” Grant whispered into her ear with a proud, informative voice.

“Don’t whisper in front of others, Grant. It’s rude! Please, come sit,” Lilly said, gesturing for Rose to sit down. “Your mother’s told us so much about you.”

It was an easy conversation. Grant’s parents were much more inviting than they’d been portrayed. His father was more of a serious man who didn’t say much. Lilly did most of the talking, taking what Rose hoped was a shine to her.

She was reminded that Grant was the second oldest of seven children—four boys and three girls.

Their family owned multiple farms and a large trading company specializing in sheep.

Rose also learned they funded a large portion of Cathan’s troops.

His father explained the logistics to her and her mother, but much was lost on her.

She forced herself to keep engaged, wanting to give her due diligence to Grant’s family.

Grant kept silent, though he watched her ever so closely as she spoke with his parents, making her cheeks warm.

Once lunch was over, her mother suggested they all walk around the grounds. His parents agreed, taking their leave of the grand hall.

It was warm and sunny outdoors. The heat was welcome on her bare shoulders and arms as her blue dress flowed elegantly behind her. She and Grant walked a few paces in front of their parents, giving them a chance to have time alone.

Even with their close chaperons, Grant didn’t bother to keep his distance. His hand glided smoothly into hers, bringing it to his lips and holding on to it as they walked.

Rose couldn’t help but feel a freedom growing within her, reveling in the knowledge no one was watching her. No one cared now whose hand she was holding. She was free to just… be.

“I think my parents might like you more than I do,” Grant said, glancing over his shoulder at them.

“I knew my mother would adore you, but goodness, I’m not used to them liking my choices.

I might have lied to you. You might just be the furthest thing from a red mark.

It makes me uneasy. I’m nearly ready to toss you aside. ”

A small, sheepish grin crossed her lips as she nudged her shoulder into his. “It is nice to have a mother like me for once.” Guilt hit her as soon as the words came out.

“She thinks you and I will give her beautiful grandchildren,” he said with an infectious grin.

Her breath caught; the thought of having children with him hadn’t even crossed her mind until now.

His smile widened at her expression. “Don’t worry.” He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I intend to keep you all to myself for a long while.”

She kept her eyes forward, brushing her hair back as heat crept into her cheeks—something that happened a lot around him.

They arrived at the base of a large tree that held a pair of swings hanging from a low, thick branch.

“Sit with me,” he requested, sitting in one of the swings.

She moved to sit on the other, but his hand shot out to her waist to stop her, drawing her close to him. “No, sit with me,” he repeated with a smirk.

Her eyes flickered back to his parents, still a good distance away and engrossed in deep conversation, oblivious to the two wandering off. Rose looked back at his challenging eyes. Two could play this game. He clearly liked to make her blush.

So naturally, she wanted him to blush instead.

Knowing it was very unladylike, she pulled her long dress up, exposing her lean legs. Then, with one fluid motion, she reached for the swing ropes and pulled herself up to sit on his lap, placing her legs on either side to face him.

Grant’s hands went immediately to her hips to guide her, swallowing hard as he looked at her with dilated pupils. For once, she’d caught him off guard.

Good.

Once she was secure, her hands let go of the ropes as she placed her full weight on him, her arms snaking around his neck.

Grant recovered from the action as his green eyes sparkled like gems. “You keep surprising me, Rosalie Versalles,” he whispered, his smile fading into a serious expression.

She moved to get off him, having proved her point, but his hands tightened around her thighs. “Don’t you dare,” he said, trapping her on his lap.

Then his lips were on hers.

It was a slow-building kiss, a deep one. She was becoming more accustomed to them now, more familiar. She shifted her position on his lap to make herself more comfortable, and she swore she heard a rumble come from his throat.

She pulled away and was met with clouded eyes staring at her lips.

“Gods, could you be more perfect?” he whispered groggily.

“Rose!” her mother yelled across the grassy grounds. “You two aren’t married yet! Keep a proper distance, please,” she scolded, but Rose knew her mother—underneath the scolding words, she was glowing inside.

Grant gave a harsh laugh as he stood with ease. Reluctantly, he let Rose’s legs slide to the ground but he kept her close, placing his lips back on hers with another light kiss.

“I should go,” Grant said, gesturing to his parents. “I have to have one more talk with my parents, but promise me you’ll meet me tonight? At the beach at sundown.”

She nodded, knowing exactly what he was hinting at. “I will.”

He flashed his white teeth at her as he kissed her hand. “I’ll see you then.”