Page 96 of The Throne Seeker (Vallorian #1)

O nyx made a short trip of it, galloping so fast, he practically hovered just above the dirt road.

Even with Roman’s added weight, his mighty hooves drove them forward in haste.

The storm still loomed overhead, the winds powerful gusts creating rolling waves across the cornstalks, the dark dulling their golden husks.

It was dusk by the time they approached the castle.

Rose masked her face, pulling up a cloth and resting it on the bridge of her nose, leaving only her eyes visible. Thank you, Onyx. She stroked his neck. You can go down to the stables to drink and rest. You’ll like it there. Hugh is known to spoil the horses.

Call for me if you need me, Onyx replied with a hint of unease. I don’t get a good feeling about this place.

His words only added to her nerves.

Rose followed close behind Roman, wishing to hold his hand, but she fought the temptation, keeping her arms pinned against her sides. If someone saw them, she didn’t want to escalate the situation.

Today was about Roman’s mother.

Their queen.

Roman’s quick strides led them to the royal bedchambers. The corridors were oddly deserted at this hour, hinting that news of the queen’s condition had already spread.

Roman knocked on the door.

After a moment, the king answered, sorrow oozing out of the room like a dark mist. His usually refined posture had diminished into a sluggish stance. “Roman.” His tired eyes shone with pure relief. “How did you get here so quickly?”

“It’s a long story for another time,” Roman replied. “Is Tristan here?”

“Not right now. He and Satin stepped out for a moment. It’s just us.” King Henrik’s eyes shifted to her behind Roman curiously, peering under her hood.

Her hands shook as she lifted her hood and bowed. “Your Majesty.”

The king’s puffy eyes widened as he stilled. He stared, taking in the evolved version of her.

His lengthy silence allowed doubt to creep in. She’d been stewing over this moment the entire ride, terrified she’d lose his favor, recognize her for the monster she was.

But instead, he stepped forward, embracing her.

She had always known he had a soft spot for her. But now, with his arms around her, she could feel his pure love for her burst out of him, hitting her hard and fast. It was enough to bring her to tears as she clung to him.

The king pulled back. “Come in,” he urged after he’d recovered. “We have much to discuss.”

Queen Lenna’s chamber was dark, lit by a few flickering candles and a roaring fire.

The décor brought back memories of Highland Haven.

Dark cabinets and books lined the walls, bordering the fireplace.

Next to the window sat a simple hand-carved vanity.

A brass mirror carved with the sun emblem hung just above it.

Rose caught a glimpse of her reflection and nearly jumped—it would take some getting used to.

The queen rested in the center of a large canopy bed.

Her usually neatly styled hair lay matted against the pillows, her sharp eyes now weak and frail.

She’d lost weight, causing her pale cheekbones to protrude more harshly.

Each small breath that escaped her chapped lips was accompanied by a wheeze.

Roman’s shock coursed through her, a helplessness that he tried to bury as he took in the state of his mother withering away.

She slipped her hand into his.

He didn’t hesitate to grip it back. His guilt amplified at the touch, washing over her like a tidal wave.

Rose blamed herself for keeping him from his responsibilities. He should’ve been here. He’d missed what little precious time he could have had with his mother because of her.

She lowered her head in shame.

“Mum,” Roman said, his voice rough and raw. “It’s me, Roman.”

The queen gave him a weak smile, holding her fragile hand out to him. “I may be dying, but I think I can recognize my own son when I see him.”

He barked a harsh laugh, but the smile left quicker than a lightning strike. “How are you? Truly?”

The queen waved her hand. “Nothing I haven’t experienced before.” She suddenly sat up with a start, coughing. It sounded more like a wheezing gasp, coming from somewhere deep within her lungs.

Roman was at her side instantly, rubbing her back as she coughed into her handkerchief. Rose caught a glimpse of the crimson-red color that blotched the white cloth. Her hope the queen could overcome this episode dwindled.

Roman helped his mother lay back down.

Once the queen had recovered, she finally noticed Rose, her eyes widening in surprise. “Rose, is that you?” the queen whispered, studying her from head to toe.

Roman looked up at Rose, stretching his arm toward her. “Yes… it’s a long story. But Rose is?—”

“A siren,” the queen supplied in a light, raspy voice. Her gaze dropped to their intertwined hands, and she raised her eyebrows at them. “Are you two…?”

“Yes,” Roman replied without hesitation, his chest puffing out with pride. “She’s mine.”

Rose’s heart swelled while her siren’s ego threatened to burst at the seams.

She looked back at the king and queen, ready for the horror that was sure to be spread across their faces, for the disappointment, anger, and disapproval. Just as it had when she was with Tristan.

But instead, the queen smiled.

Smiled.

“This is the best news,” the queen whispered, surprising Rose further by reaching out her hand.

Rose hesitated. Not because she didn’t want to, but because she didn’t know if she was prepared for the suffocating rush of sadness that was sure to follow.

But she couldn’t refuse the hand she’d waited for so long to be stretched out.

She took it. Without warning, a memory of the queen’s flashed through her mind. The queen was in the fields during the peak of summer, watching Rose and her children playing together, laughing and chasing one another, running through the blooms.

Just as quickly as the vision came, it left.

Rose looked into the queen’s shaky eyes as if she knew she could see the memory, too.

“I always knew you’d be a part of our family,” the queen said. “It was only a matter of time.”

“So did I,” the king said, beaming.

Rose blinked, flabbergasted.

This had to be a dream.

Roman looked just as confused. “You’re not angry?”

“Of course not,” the queen replied. “Why do you think I had you watch over her during the wedding? You think I didn’t know why you took her to Highland Haven?” The queen looked to her with knowing eyes. “I told you I’d help you find a suitor, and I did.”

Rose’s mouth parted in awe. She… she had planned it. All of it.

The queen didn’t mind her being family, after all. The simple fact made her eyes blink furiously.

“But perhaps we need to keep this good news to ourselves for now,” the king said. They needed no explanation. “Did you learn anything more from Moretti?”

Roman nodded. “They were camped outside Carnthe last we heard. It’s definitely the same group moving across Cathan. And there’s more.” Roman looked at Rose. “We found out they’ve been looking for Rose. We don’t know why, but there’s a good chance they may have already infiltrated the castle.”

The king only nodded with a solemn expression, the news not alarming him like she thought it would. “So it’s confirmed. I’m afraid I’ve had my suspicions for quite some time. I just prayed to the gods I was wrong.”

Rose didn’t understand. “Why raid the cities? What are they after?”

Roman and the king exchanged a discreet glance.

She looked between them. Did they know something she didn’t?

“We still don’t know for certain,” the king answered. But she could feel the shift in their auras, secrecy hiding beneath. The king’s gaze returned to her, and he changed the subject. “I am afraid I must admit that I have known you were a siren since you were born.”

Rose’s arms slackened to her sides. She looked to the queen, but even she couldn’t meet her gaze. They both knew.

“You knew this whole time?” Roman said, recovering first, outraged. “Why didn’t you ever say anything? Why didn’t you warn us?”

“Evelyn and I were protecting her the best way we knew how,” the king explained.

“We knew the same men who killed her father would come for her, too. So we agreed to keep it a secret.” His eyes shifted to her.

“Not to keep you in the dark but for survival. I put you in the succession to help your chances, but even these ancient walls are no longer the safe haven I once believed… Your mother should be the one to explain the rest. That is not my tale to tell.”

Rose blinked a few times at the revelation, having countless questions, but she didn’t even know what question would begin to cover all the things she wanted to know.

“What’s to be done?” Roman asked, his eyes on high alert from the news. “How do we find out who they are?”

“I’d tell you if I knew,” the king said grimly. “I’ve already done everything in my power to ensure the castle is secure. But somehow, they continue to evade our defenses.” He turned to Rose. “I’m afraid you would’ve been safer to stay away.”

Roman wouldn’t accept that answer. “There must be more we can do.”

The queen sat up again, cradling her ribs as she coughed into her handkerchief, gasping for another breath—more crimson blotting the snow-white cloth.

“I’m afraid we’ll have to finish this conversation another time,” the king said, kissing his wife’s hand and rubbing it.

After the queen had recovered from her fit, she looked at Rose expectantly. “Rose… I’m sorry, but do you mind leaving us for a moment? We need a word with our son… alone,” she said between shallow breaths.

“Of course,” she agreed before Roman could refuse.

Roman gazed at her hesitantly, not liking the idea of her leaving. “Stay close, and keep your sword with you.”

“I won’t go far,” she promised.

Roman placed a chaste kiss on her forehead and let her go, but not before he looked down at her lips, making her blood pump faster.

She gave one last small bow to the queen before she left the room, giving the family a moment of privacy.

She threw her hood back on and began the trek to find her mother.

An invisible pressure dissipated as she gained distance from the queen’s room. She didn’t realize how draining it would be to take on everyone’s emotions, sucking the energy right out of her body. She’d have to be more careful in the future.

She kept her head down in case anyone else came down the hall. Luckily, most of the court had already finished dinner and returned to their rooms, leaving the corridors clear.

She was about to round a corner when a voice came from behind her.

“Rose?”

She nearly tripped.

She knew that voice all too well.