Page 79 of The Throne Seeker (Vallorian #1)

A victorious grin spread across her face.

Don’t look so surprised, the sleipnir said as he slowed, panting from using his lungs to capacity. I told you we’d win.

You were incredible, she praised, smiling down at him as she wrapped her arms around his thick neck.

No, you were. I knew you could do it.

“There you have it folks! For the first time in history, a rookie has won the Snorri!” the announcer proclaimed.

Another wave of cheers filled the stands, sounding like a war cry.

Rose scanned the crowd for Roman but couldn’t see him.

However, through the rain, she caught sight of a black-hooded figure near the gate, leaning his shoulder against it, clapping slowly.

A flicker of recognition formed as she strained to see his face, but she couldn’t see who it was under the hood.

She was about to go to him when Moretti appeared. “Are you hurt?” he asked.

She had almost forgotten why she was here in the first place. “I’ll live,” she answered with a tight smile. Her eyes shifted back to see if the hooded man was still there, but he’d vanished.

“Come here, let me help you.” Moretti gestured, reaching for her.

She took his hand, wincing as her foot hit the ground.

“Not hurt, huh?” he said.

“Only my ankle.”

He lifted an eyebrow, gazing at her shoulder wound caked with mud.

She had almost forgotten. “It’s only a scratch.”

He moved to pick her up, but she stopped him. “You don’t have to do that.” She peered down at her filthy dress.

He scooped her up anyway. “I don’t give a damn about my clothes, you beautiful angel.” He brought her face to face with him. “You are the most incredible woman I’ve ever met.”

You’ve succeeded, the sleipnir stated. He’s smitten. Already, he’s thinking of how to get you to marry him.

She wasn’t sure of how she felt about the fact. A stranger like him looking at her in such an intimate way made her uneasy. They’d known each other for less than a few hours. Yet here he was, looking at her like he’d known her for years.

“We’ll get you to the medic tent,” Moretti reassured her. He took a few steps then stopped, realizing the sleipnir was following them. He gaped at the beast, amazed.

We won, don’t you understand? You’re free, she said.

I’m not leaving you, the sleipnir said. Where you go, I go now. I owe you my life.

Don’t you want to go back to your family? Your own kind? She was shocked he’d give up his freedom.

His head hung . I have no family, and I’ve grown fond of you, he admitted.

Tears pricked the backs of her eyes. What do they call you? she asked, ashamed she’d not asked before.

Onyx, he said with a proud puff of his chest.

Her heart warmed as she looked back at Moretti. “Onyx is with me now,” she said, claiming him proudly. “After all, I did win our bet,” she added with a sly smile.

Moretti smirked in response. He began walking again, carrying her easily in his arms. “You know, I’ve been thinking about that, and I can’t help but feel a bit cheated.

How was I supposed to know you were superhuman?

I need more time with you.” His face was so close, his forehead almost pressed against hers.

Rose threw on a flirtatious smirk. “I suppose I could make it happen. But it’ll cost you.”

Moretti’s handsome face broke out into a heart-stopping smile. “Then it’s settled. You’ll come with me after I get you looked at.”

He took her to the medical tent, letting the healers tend to her shoulder and foot. Fortunately, her ankle injury ended up being no more than a sprain.

She learned from Moretti that Halmar had gotten stuck in the mud after she’d escaped, stepped on by another rider’s sleipnir.

Luckily for their sakes, neither he nor the other two riders with the rope had been killed.

Moretti couldn’t stop praising how she had handled it all—raving about how she’d managed to see the clear rope.

Not long after, Moretti was called away to handle business for the race. He left, promising he wouldn’t be long.

She lay there lost in thought, still amazed that she’d managed it. A sense of pride grew within her. She’d never done anything like that.

Without warning, a hooded figure slipped into the tent.

Roman whipped off his hood. “Are you alright?” he asked, coming straight to her, lifting her chin as he scanned her frantically.

“I’m fine,” she said to soothe his worry. “Really.”

Roman gnashed his teeth. “Damn you. I nearly died ten times having to watch that.”

Her heart lifted from the worry in his voice. “I wasn’t sure if you were.”

“You never left my sight.”

“What did you think of it?” she couldn’t help but ask.

He reprimanded her with a glare. “I thought of how idiotic and reckless you are.”

Rose’s gaze fell from his chiding tone.

“But I also thought you were the most glorious thing I’d ever seen.” He slipped his hand into hers.

A jolt of energy traveled up her arm from the simple touch. She peered down timidly at their intertwined fingers.

He leaned down, his musky scent washing over her. “You could’ve won over anyone with that performance.”

An involuntary shiver ran up her spine. “I did win someone over… I’ve agreed to go back with Moretti.” She watched for Roman’s reaction.

He kept his expression carefully blank. “Good. It’ll be easier to catch him off guard.” His eyes lowered to her hand, noticing the ring on her finger. His face remained indifferent, though the muscles in his jaw ticked.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” she said, not knowing why her heart cringed as he looked at the ring.

“Just—be careful. He may seem friendly and easygoing, but the company he keeps is not.”

“I will.”

She went to let go of his hand, but he held it firm. Her breaths quickened as she swallowed hard.

“You really were incredible out there.” His raw voice lowered to a whisper as his eyes locked on to hers. “I don’t think I’ll ever not be in awe of you, Roe.”

Her eyelids fluttered. She tried to open her mouth to say something, but no sound came out.

Roman’s voice went back to normal. “Today reminded me you can take care of yourself… Do what you have to do.”

Before she could form a sentence, he let go of her hand, threw on his hood, and left the tent.

She stared at the door flap for a long moment before her gaze fell to her wrapped ankle. Do what you need to do? What did he mean? Did he not care anymore if she threw herself at Moretti? Or did he trust her enough to decide for herself?

She supposed she’d find out.