Page 84 of The Throne Seeker (Vallorian #1)

R oman slept throughout the night and into the following day.

Rose refused to leave his side, wanting to keep a close eye on him.

Over time, his skin regained its natural tanned hue, his eye sockets no longer dark and hollow, and even the purple bags under his eyes had disappeared.

His breaths and body temperature had normalized.

She couldn’t believe it. He had been on the brink of death, and now he seemed to be recovering simply by… sleeping .

Gretta came to check on them throughout the day, thrilled to find him on the mend. She brought Rose a book to entertain herself as she lay beside him. Even as her hunger gnawed, she wouldn’t move.

Night came again. The cool moonlight streamed through the window, offering little light, creating dark shadows. She thought he’d sleep through the night again until he began to stir.

Roman slowly opened his eyes, taking a moment to become conscious of his surroundings. Relief came as her favorite pair of eyes were revealed to be back to their perfect golden state.

“Rose?” he muttered, sounding more like himself.

“It’s me,” she said, scooting closer. “How do you feel?”

“Better.” He looked around the room. “How long have I been asleep?”

“Since last night.” She did her best to hide the flood of emotion threatening to burst, but her composure broke with just one brush of his gaze. Her hand gripped his collar firmly, bringing him closer. “You can’t scare me like that,” she whispered, wanting it to come out harsher than it did.

To her surprise, he gave her a lazy smile.

Gods, has he always been this handsome?

He drew her in as one strong hand cradled the nape of her neck. “I didn’t expect you to care so much.”

She didn’t find it funny. “Of course I care.”

His eyes searched hers as if trying to decipher what those words meant until he let out a dry cough. “Is there water?”

“Oh—yes. I’ll get it.” She got out of bed, seeking the glass in the darkness. Spotting the tray with the pitcher by the window, she poured the water into the glass.

It wasn’t until she felt Roman’s breath on her shoulder that she realized he’d gotten up to follow her.

He placed his hands smoothly on her hips.

A soft tremor shook her knees, causing her to almost drop the glass. She masked all of this and faced him, fighting to keep her hands steady as she held it out.

He drank it in a few large gulps. Once it was empty, he set it down and said, “I want to take you somewhere.”

Her eyes widened. “What? Now? It’s the middle of the night. You need rest.”

“I’ve rested enough. I’ll be fine as long as you’re with me… Trust me,” he added, brushing her cheek with his knuckles.

His touch caused a wild desire to rise within her, forced to fight the burning need for his body against hers. She gazed at him hesitantly but found herself nodding.

He took her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. A flutter ran up her arm from the innocent touch, pushing her limits.

After putting on their cloaks, Roman led her through the darkened hallways, the torches out for the night, leaving only moonlight and stars to guide them. She was nearly blind in the darkness, but Roman led her with memory.

He took her out to the patio, the night air warmer than the previous nights, summer coming into full swing. They walked to the edge against the stone railing, looking out over the lake and the silhouette of the mountains. Only the faint sound of crickets carried in the stillness of the night.

Rose inhaled a deep, fresh breath, stretching her stiff muscles from lying in bed for nearly twenty-four hours. She lifted her hand to the back of her neck, massaging it while rolling out the muscles. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Roman staring.

She lowered her hand as she met his gaze.

His eyes were filled with a force she’d never seen in them—it was as if he’d seen something he’d waited his whole life for. “Can you call for Onyx?”

She gave him a questioning look but did as he requested.

Onyx? she called out in her mind.

After a moment of silence, she heard him.

I’m coming, was all his sleepy voice said, faint from the distance.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“Somewhere I think you’ll like,” Roman alluded mysteriously. “It’s quite a journey from here, but with Onyx, it won’t take too long.”

A few moments later, Onyx came trotting through the night toward them, blending with the darkness so well she could hear him before she could see him.

Roman helped her onto the sleipnir, swinging himself up behind her and reaching around her to lead him.

The simple gesture woke something deep inside her, clawing to escape. She couldn’t help her body from leaning backward into his chest this time, strategically placing her hands on his thighs for balance.

His chin hovered over her left shoulder, lips millimeters from her ear. “Ready?” his graveled voice rumbled.

She nodded, her throat too dry to find her voice.

And so, together, they rode through the night, the dense darkness making it difficult to see much of anything. Luckily, the two moons and stars shone brightly as they traveled through the trees.

Roman hadn’t been exaggerating the distance. Even with Onyx sprinting nonstop, it still took a few hours to get there, Highland Haven left far behind them as they drove deep into the mountain range.

She couldn’t have cared less about the time as long as she got to keep the excuse of touching him.

At last, Roman told Onyx to slow down.

Rose examined the towering rocky mountainside beside them. For a moment, nothing seemed noteworthy until she noticed a large curved opening at the mountain’s base—a cave. The dark void looked even more menacing in the shadows.

“Where are we?” she asked, peering at the black pit with hesitation.

“The Infinity Pools,” he answered as the moonlight shadowed half his face. “People come from all over Vallor to see them… I can’t take you to the shores of Eristan yet, but this will do for now.”

He held out his hand to help her down, but her eyes were still fixated on the cave.

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he reassured her, sensing her fear. “I promise.”

She knew he wouldn’t. And that was the only reason she stretched out her shaky hand, gripping his firm one.

The cave didn’t become any less intimidating as it swallowed them.

With each step into the darkness, they left the moonlight and Onyx behind.

Echoing drips filled the cave while their footsteps crunched over the loose rock beneath them.

She moved closer to Roman, taking hesitant steps as her hold on his hand tightened.

Then she saw them.

In the pitch dark, soft sea-green lights illuminated the cave, scattered across the rounded walls and floor. She gaped in astonishment at the glowing rocks, all different shapes and sizes.

She rested her hand on her collarbone, her eyes drifting toward Roman, who was already watching her. He tugged her hand, encouraging her to take a closer look.

Rose obliged, approaching the wall with slow steps, her eyes fixed on the stones. She raised her hand and lightly traced the glowing rocks with her finger. Smooth and cool to the touch, they radiated a soft, comforting glow like sea-green emeralds.

Roman approached her from behind, pressing his chest against her back, while his fingers traced the same rock.

The simple gesture brought her entire body to attention.

“It’s similar to the kind of light Eristan’s landscape has,” he said next to her ear. “Most things in Eristan need sunlight to glow at night, but these rocks possess their own natural properties… It’s quite the mystery.”

Rose could scarcely concentrate on what he was saying. His rich voice stroked her very soul, making her body react in a way she wished it wouldn’t.

Or maybe she did.

“Beautiful,” she whispered, the only word she could think of, but even that didn’t do them justice.

“Wait until you see the pools.” He retook her hand, leading her further into the cave.

There her body went again . Stupid fluttering organs.

The rocks lit their way, stretching the full length of the tunnel. She stared at them as they passed, captivated by their subtle glow.

After strolling for a few minutes among the glowing rocks, they came upon the end of the tunnel, entering a vast chamber filled with seemingly endless pools of water, separated by slender rock walls, with a large pool at the center.

The interconnected pools appeared to go on forever.

She didn’t know where the room began or ended as the water reflected the shimmering rocks above.

She gasped, bringing a hand to her lips, parting in awe as she walked towards the sparkling water.

It was as though she was standing amongst the stars.

“You see how the name Infinity Pool came about.” Roman shifted his gaze out into the infinite reflection. “They say these waters bring out truth. That once you enter, you’ll leave your old self right here and come out new. They’re also said to hold rare healing powers.”

“This… this is incredible.” That much was an understatement.

Roman nodded in agreement. “It really is.”

Without warning, he peeled his shirt off, tossing it aside, exposing his upper body to the glowing light.

She tried to swallow, but a lump prevented it.

He stripped the rest of his clothing off, except for his undergarments, taking the initiative to enter the clear water, his movements slow and cautious.

She followed suit, taking off her dress, and dropping it next to Roman’s clothes, leaving on her slip. Without hesitation, she tiptoed into the water—cool, but not as cold as she braced herself for.

“You’re not afraid anymore,” he praised, noting her confidence.

“No… Thanks to you,” she admitted, walking until the water was at her waist. The smooth stones massaged her feet with every step, her movements sending ripples through the sparkling water.

“You’re exceeding at everything, honestly,” he acknowledged. “Soon, you won’t need me at all.”