Page 59 of The Throne Seeker (Vallorian #1)

R ose’s spirit withered with each day passing day.

She scarcely ate or slept, the circles under her eyes becoming more obvious every time she glanced in a mirror.

She couldn’t remember the last time a smile had graced her lips.

Every morning, she forced herself to leave her room to train or take a long ride.

Once she was back, she locked herself in her room with a book for the remainder of the day.

Her mother fussed, of course, knowing she was spiraling. But there was nothing her mother could do to protect her this time. She had to come to grips with the fact that Tristan was getting married.

And she’d have to watch.

Rose didn’t think it could possibly get any worse until the day before the wedding when she received a note from Princess Satin herself, requesting her presence in her sitting room.

“What could she possibly want?” her mother asked, slapping the note down onto the table with a huff.

If there was one person Rose wanted to see even less than Tristan, it was Satin.

“You don’t have to go,” her mother said. “She’s not the future queen yet. You don’t have to do anything she asks.”

“But if I don’t go, won’t it seem impertinent?” she countered.

Her mother gave a loud sigh, not bothering to answer because she knew it was true.

So Rose accepted.

And she had a horrible feeling she’d regret it.

Rose made her way through the sunny corridors to the large sitting room.

She’d been here many times, usually with her mother or Harriet.

It was composed entirely of cream and blue hues, decorated with a painting of one of Cathan’s famous ships, its name scribbled illegibly at the bottom.

Women of the court often came here to gossip, sip tea, and enjoy crumpets.

To her surprise, Princess Satin was by herself, accompanied only by one of her handmaids. She wore a modest purple dress that accentuated her petite frame. Her light-brown hair, with its warm undertones, was neatly slicked back. Her brown eyes sparkled at the sight of her.

“Rose!” Satin exclaimed, a smile spreading across her face. “I’m so glad you could make time to see me. Come sit.” She gestured to the couch opposite her.

Rose threw on the best smile she could. “Of course, thank you, your Highness.” She did as instructed and lowered herself to the very edge of the cream-upholstered couch, trying not to look too stiff.

“You must be wondering why I’ve asked you here.

” Satin fanned out her dress across the fabric of the baby-blue couch.

Even the way she sat was poised—the training of a princess, she supposed.

“I’ve been learning everything I can about this place and the royal family before the wedding, and everyone I’ve talked to has said you’re practically family. ”

Her words were a stab to the heart. “I could only wish.”

“I hear you and Tristan are particularly close, so I thought maybe you could help me understand him.”

Rose kept her expression carefully blank as she studied Satin. Did she not know of Tristan and Rose’s history? The longer she thought about it, the more she realized she probably didn’t, certain that everyone involved wanted to ignore the small detail.

Satin was still looking at her for an answer.

“Understand him?” Rose prodded.

“Yes. I’ve loved getting to know him, but I have to admit, at times, he seems quite…

distant,” Satin said, playing with her gloves.

“I just want us to get along. I know it’s an arranged marriage and all, but my parents had an arranged marriage, and they’re practically soulmates.

” She gave a light laugh. “I’m sorry if I’m rambling; it’s just that I’ve become quite fond of him, and I want him to be fond of me, too. ”

She should’ve never agreed to come. “Oh.” She didn’t know what to say. “You know, I’m not sure I’m the best one to ask. Harriet might be better; she’s his sister, after all.”

“Yes, I’ve talked to Harriet, and she was helpful, but she also told me you know him the best of anyone. Plus, Tristan talks so highly of you.”

Rose felt a twist in the gut this time. “He does?”

Satin gave her a bright smile. “Of course. He adores you.”

She should leave. She shouldn’t be here pretending she and Satin were friends.

“Would you say he’s a very… physical man?

” Satin asked. Her cheeks stained to a pink color, catching Rose’s expression.

“I’m so sorry. That must be such an uncomfortable question for you.

Of course you don’t think of him like that.

It’s only—when I try to touch him, I swear it’s like he almost…

recoils. He held my hand once, but it was only once.

It’s the only thing he’s done to let me know he sees me that way. ”

Oh gods. Rose quickly sought a lie. “It’s probably just nerves. I’m sure he only needs to get to know you better.”

Thankfully, her answer satisfied Satin enough to drop the subject.

Satin stood. “I’ve had the worst time deciding which dress to wear.” She went to the three white dresses hanging up behind them.

The hits just kept coming.

“What do you think?” Satin asked, spinning to see Rose’s reaction.

Rose couldn’t bear to look at them. “They all look wonderful.” She pretended to glance over them with more interest. “I think you’d look lovely in any one you choose.”

Satin gave her a sheepish smile. “I knew I’d like you from the moment we met.”

“You are too kind.” The statement was more than honest.

“I must admit, I invited you here to ask you something else as well.” Satin grabbed a light-green dress from across the room and brought it to her, looking nervously excited.

“I know the wedding is tomorrow, and it’s short notice, but I thought since you’re like family, perhaps it might be nice if you were in the wedding as one of my maidens? ”

Rose’s mouth hung open. Caught off guard, she shook her head automatically. “Oh, no.”

Satin sat down slowly. “What is it? Is it the dress?”

“No, of course not. The dress is beautiful. But you see, I’m not family. I don’t have a drop of royal blood in me. It wouldn’t be seen as proper. I couldn’t possibly.”

Satin waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, please! It’d be so lovely to have you in it.”

Rose couldn’t suppress the pure panic consuming her, scrambling for any reason out of it. “I’d hate to distract from your day.”

“Nonsense! We’d love to have you with us. Oh, please say you will. I want tomorrow to be perfect, and I want all of Tristan’s close family and friends to be there.”

“Does Tristan know you’re asking me this?” Rose tried to say his name normally.

Satin shook her head, not noticing anything was amiss. “I want to surprise him, and I know he’d love it.”

Rose tried to say something— anything —to refuse, but her mind was blank. She couldn’t refuse without telling Satin the real reason. If she learned the truth, Satin could possibly rethink the marriage, making Rose the reason the alliance fell apart.

“Oh, please say yes,” Satin pleaded again, reaching for Rose’s hand.

She cursed in her mind. Why did she have to be so nice? This would have been so much easier if she were mean and horrid. Her body took over, giving her a nod.

Satin’s face broke out into a bright smile. “Oh, thank you! I know he’ll be so glad to see you there. This will be the best surprise!”

Rose smiled, but she was sure it was just an awkward showcase of her teeth.

Satin stood up, passing her the light-green dress.

Rose took it with all the grace she could muster, fighting the intrusive impulse to drop it or throw it into the fire. As she went to leave, Satin stopped her.

“Can I bother you with one more question?”

Rose closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before turning to face the princess. “Of course.”

Satin came closer, playing with her hair nervously as she asked in a timid voice, “Is he a kind man? I mean… do you believe he’ll make a good husband?”

Rose’s features softened. At that moment, she felt sympathy for Satin—marrying a total stranger and leaving behind her homeland and family was no small sacrifice. Satin had been forced into this situation, too. It was enough to soften her heart to answer her honestly.

She took a few steps toward her. “Tristan’s becoming the next king of Cathan for a reason.

He’s everything a king should be—brave, loyal, honest. He has his weaknesses, but he’s a good man.

He feels so deeply.” The room blurred as she thought of his handsome face.

“So deeply that when he cares about you, he’ll make you feel like you’re the most precious thing in the world.

When my father treated me like I was nothing, Tristan was one of the first men to show me how a man should treat a woman.

I suppose that’s why we were so close… He’s the kind of man we all only wish we could marry. ” The last words drifted off her lips.

She snapped out of her daze as she looked back up at Satin, hoping she didn’t just give herself away.

Thank her stars, Satin was still smiling, but not at her. Satin was peeking over her shoulder at someone else.

Shit.

Rose knew who it was before she even moved.

Tristan stood in the open doorway. His wistful, forlorn face told her he’d heard every word she’d said.

He did a masterful job guarding his expression in Satin’s presence, but she knew him—who was she kidding?

She knew him better than the lines in her favorite books.

Just underneath his empty, hard shell, she could see his soul breaking.

“Tristan!” Satin exclaimed, oblivious as she moved around Rose. “You aren’t supposed to be here for another hour.”

Tristan managed to pull himself out of his ass. “I’m sorry. I must’ve gotten the wrong time,” he replied almost too easily. His eyes dropped to the dress in Rose’s hands. “What are you two doing?”

Satin’s grin grew wider. “Oh, it was supposed to be a surprise!” She groaned. “But I suppose you’d find out soon enough. Rose has agreed to be in the wedding! Isn’t that wonderful?”

Tristan’s eyes snapped to her guilty ones, taking a minute to realize they were serious. To his credit, he didn’t miss a beat. “That is wonderful.”

“Isn’t it?” Satin celebrated with a gleeful bounce.

Rose saw her opportunity to leave. And by hell, she’d take it. “Well, I should go; I’m sure you have a million things to do for tomorrow.”

“Oh yes, of course. Thank you so much for coming,” Satin said. “We’ll see you tomorrow!”

Rose gave Tristan a quick bow, looking anywhere but his eyes. She practically ran out of the room, not wanting to give either of them the opportunity to stop her.

She had successfully made it back to her room when she chucked the green dress onto the floor and let the tears pour out.