Page 86 of The Throne Seeker (Vallorian #1)

His mouth tightened. “He’ll forgive you… but he’ll reserve his true hatred for me. I can only hope that one day, he will see it as a mercy. That you are protected and taken care of.”

She hesitated, torn, even though her body screamed for her to accept him. “I still love him,” she whispered pathetically, hating that she had to tell him. Knowing full well it might ruin everything.

“I know,” he said, the fact clearly angering him, but he controlled his voice.

“Tristan, you loved before me. I know that. But I’m not noble.

I’m not going to deny myself the one thing I’ve ever wanted because Tristan desires something he can’t have.

And if I’m being entirely honest, I don’t care.

I’m not the good brother. I’m the selfish one, and I’ll continue to be when it comes to you. ”

Rose couldn’t find the words to say. So instead, she stayed silent, staring at him in awe. What he offered was so much more than anything she expected to ever receive. And for some reason, that made her feel guilty, because there were still things she’d kept hidden.

She finally collected her thoughts. “There are still things you don’t know about me. I don’t know if I can reciprocate all of what you offer.”

He shook his head almost instantly. “That couldn’t be further from the truth.”

“It’s true,” she replied sharply, then she added more softly, “My heart has been shattered into tiny pieces, scattered so far and wide, I’m not sure if I’ll ever find them all again. And not just by him—” she didn’t want to say Tristan’s name again, “—but by others, too.”

Roman’s gaze grew gorgeously tender. “That’s just it.

” He slowly tucked her hair behind her ear.

“I can only hope one day you’ll have enough faith to tell me about each one of those beautiful scars you wear.

But I do know that whatever is left of your heart—cracks, pieces, shreds, or whatever you like to call them—it’s still the best heart I’ve ever known.

I’ll gladly accept every broken piece you’re willing to give. ”

Rose gazed up at him, tears fogging her vision. She’d never heard such endearing words spoken in her life.

She lifted her hand to cradle his sharp jaw as water dripped down them. “You deserve more,” she admitted. It was more than true.

He barked a harsh laugh. “The hell I do.” When her lips didn’t lift, his fell back into a thin line before he grimly added, “You do not know me as well as you think you do, Rosalie Versalles. You are so much more than I deserve.”

Water trickled through the caves as she whispered, “I have absolutely nothing to give you.”

“You honestly think I give a damn?”

Her mouth twitched upward at that, and she stroked his cheek with her thumb in appreciation.

“But I’m selfish,” he said. “I want you to pick me because you want me, not because you have to survive… Which is why I bet a hefty sum on you in the Snorri.”

Her heart stopped mid-beat. “You did what?” Her voice was barely audible.

“One hundred thousand golden medallions, to be exact.”

She stopped breathing altogether, unable to comprehend what he’d just said, blankly staring into his eyes to make sure it wasn’t a joke.

“The winnings alone make you the wealthiest woman in Cathan, maybe in all of Vallor,” he admitted.

“Not to mention the bags of money from the tavern. It’s all yours.

You can choose to marry or not marry anyone you wish to.

I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. It was selfish, I just… I wanted more time with you.”

Rose couldn’t speak, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move. She could only stare up into his eyes, spellbound.

“I know you’ve never truly had a home of your own,” he continued, his voice growing nervous, looking down at her hands.

He reached out to take them into his. “I should’ve let you pick, but when I saw it, I couldn’t help but think of you.

It’s a large estate south of here. Rolling hills for miles, plenty of land and water.

It’s on a beautiful orchard, night skies so clear the stars look like shining diamonds…

” His words faltered, his face concerned by her expression.

Her eyes were overflowing with silent tears. She couldn’t help it. No one had ever given her a gift like this. Nothing could compare to what he had done for her.

He’d just given her her life back, her agency, her freedom.

And yet, at the same time, he had completely and utterly captured her heart.

A tear slipped through her defenses as she boldly brought her lips up to his, trying to convey all the love and gratitude words never could.

His lips molded to hers as if they were made solely for each other.

She pulled back with shallow breaths and opened her mouth to say thank you, but no sound came out. So she closed it again as she took in a deep breath. Her heart beat so loud she was sure he could feel it pounding against his chest.

“You don’t have to say anything,” he whispered, each word gently brushing her bottom lip, making her desire for him only grow. “I’ll give you time. I’ll wait… Hell, I’d wait until the end of time for you, Roe.”

She let out a harsh laugh, choking back a sob, tears freely flowing out of her eyes now. “I don’t need time.” She gazed up at him. “The only time I need more of is with you.”

His chin trembled as he took her wet palm and brought it to his lips, then pressed it against his cheek. His other hand slid up into her hair, bringing her to meet his lips.

She kissed him back with an unsatisfied hunger as her nails sank into his back, dragging them across his wet skin, forcing him to come closer.

His lips traveled down her jawline, leaving a trail of tender kisses in his wake as he took his time to explore. He moved to her neck, nipping and caressing it, going further down to her collarbone.

Her lips parted, letting out the sigh she’d been containing. She arched her neck as the ends of her long hair fell into the water.

This had to be what heaven felt like.

His movements became ravenous at her sigh. His mouth retreated home to hers, this time more greedy, forcing her lips apart as his tongue slipped in.

She responded with the same urgency. She couldn’t fight her body any longer as she ground her hips against his, earning a deep-throated growl.

The foreign energy was taking over her limbs again, but this time, she leaned into it, bending backward as she pulled Roman down with her, slowly sinking through the water. Her hair seeped deeper, flowing effortlessly around her.

She withdrew her lips. “Do you trust me?” she asked, almost as if the voice was not her own.

His breathlessness matched hers. “Always,” he stated between breaths.

She captured his lips again, pulling him gently backward, deeper, until they were fully submerged underneath the crystal-clear water, the rocks glowing alongside them, showering them with their light even underwater.

She took a chance and inhaled through her nose.

As she’d suspected, she could breathe underwater, just as with the sea beast. She kept her lips on Roman’s, giving air to him through her mouth.

She could feel his surprise under her fingers as his muscles tensed, but his desire overruled any sense of survival.

They sank lower to the floor with every passing moment.

His hand slid to her chest, cupping one of her breasts. Her back arched, moaning into his mouth as she bit his bottom lip, begging for more.

He smiled against her lips.

A tease.

She smiled back despite herself, pushing him deeper. His smile remained, trying to grab her arm, but she swam away playfully, then turned back and stretched out her hand, cocking her head, ushering him to explore more of the water’s depths with her.

He took it, and together, they swam along the rocky bottom side by side.

The fear that had bound her like a chain had at long last set her free.

The quiet blanket of the water over her ears calmed her.

Being submerged felt like second nature.

In fact, the longer she was, the bolder she felt, the more at…

home she felt. It was strange. So strange to think she could’ve ever feared it.

She brought Roman to her lips every once in a while to give him more air. It was an excuse, really. He could easily resurface if he wanted, but she looked for any reason to repeat the action, always leaving her lips on his for much longer than necessary.

He knew it. And it didn’t stop him from kissing her back just as hungrily.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, they resurfaced, still hand in hand.

His chest heaved between breaths as he spoke. “That was…. incredible… How can you do that?”

“I don’t know. I discovered it when I was underwater with the sea beast. I thought maybe it was just a fluke until now.”

His eyes glittered with amazement as he placed another soft kiss on her lips. He’d quickly become addicted.

All too soon, his lips released hers. His breaths were still far too harsh, still lacking energy from lack of sleep. She wanted to stay here with him forever, but he was in no state to keep swimming. “We should go back.”

He gave a loud, resigning sigh. “Come on, then,” he said, kissing her temple.