Page 181 of The Throne Seeker
She ran fingers through his golden-brown hair, then down his chest, drawing lazy circles on his skin, savoring the feeling of him under her fingertips.
She forced herself up, untangling herself from him and stretching her arms. She was about to get up when Roman’s hand grabbed hers.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked, a handsome smile already formed on his lips.
It was such a welcomed sight that she couldn’t help but smile back. “I’m starving,” she whined, struggling to tug him towards the door.
“So am I,” he said with a wicked grin.
His strong arms easily dragged her back onto the bed before he placed a long, slow kiss on her lips. He pulled back just far enough to say, “Good morning.”
“More like good afternoon,” Rose corrected, looking outside. “We must’ve slept through most of the day.”
“Well, what do you expect when you keep me up all night,” he teased with a playful wink. “What do you want to do today?”
“What do you mean?”
“I want you to pick. Whatever you want to do, we’ll do.”
She looked out the window at the rain. “Could we just… skip training and stay in?”
Roman leaned forward, placing a chaste kiss on her forehead. “If that’s what you want.”
“It is. And food.”
He laughed—actuallylaughed. The beautiful sound made her silly little lovesick heart flutter, making her want to eat him, too.
“Come on, then, let’s feed you before you starve.” He surprised her by lifting her and tossing her over his shoulder, earning a startled squeal.
They found Gretta helping in the kitchens, overjoyed to see Roman awake and well. She whipped up sandwiches for them and visited with them as they ate. Gretta’s smile widened when she noticed their hands clasped together, clearly aware that they had shared the same bedroom the night before.
Hazel, on the other hand, looked devastated, her usually bright face solemn as she helped Gretta with the dishes. Rose tried to offer her a warm smile but received nothing but a cold-cutting glare.
Once they finished eating, Rose requested to visit the library. She sifted through the large, glorious room, finding more books to add to her “to read” pile. Roman recommended some and dissuaded others as they browsed through novels and short stories alike.
He read a few chapters aloud while she leaned back against his chest, gazing at the pages alongside him. His deep voice soothed her to her core, vibrating against her spine. Thesentiment made her close her eyes and tip her head back onto his shoulder, memorizing the sound. She was confident she could listen to him read forever, discovering one of her new favorite activities to do together.
She was obsessed with how he made it a point to subtly touch her occasionally—a brush of his hand, a light kiss on the head, holding her from behind. Anything to remind her he was thinking of her at all times.
It made her completely mad and content all at once.
After finishing in the library, they pillaged a few sweets from the kitchens and returned to his room.
Rose gazed out the large, protruding windows, watching raindrops plop into the lake. Thunder grumbled in the sky as misty gray clouds covered the mountain peaks, obscuring all but their bases.
Looking out, she couldn’t help but think of her mother. She missed her terribly, wanting to tell her everything that had happened last night, curious to know if she thought she was making the right choice or if she was completely mad.
With a twinge of sorrow, her mind wandered to Tristan, wondering if he’d found his own happiness.
Roman approached her from behind, breaking her trance. He wrapped his arms around her, kissing her neck while resting his chin on her shoulder. “What are you thinking about?” he asked softly.
“I’m thinking of the castle. Of my mum and…” Her voice drifted off.
“Tristan,” Roman finished for her, his voice not angry but still not pleased.
Her chest tightened as she turned around to face him. She forced herself to meet his gaze, expecting his eyes to be cruel. It was worse—they looked hurt.
“I’m sorry, I?—”
