Page 45 of The Throne Seeker
She wiped the smile from her face and nudged her mother back.
“Ah! It’s Penelope Lownton. I must say hello,” her mother said, standing in haste. “Remember to meet back in your room at five. Don’t be late.”
She nodded, letting her mother scurry off to her old friend—no doubt to gather gossip on everyone that had arrived. Rose was certain that before nightfall, her mother would learn everything she needed to know for the rally tonight.
She went back to her plate, surprised to find that eggs and bacon had replaced her fruit.
Her eyebrows grew together, looking up at Zareb.
“You need to eat protein if we continue to train,” he said, gesturing to the food.
She gave him a thankful smile.
After just a few bites, she heard footsteps nearing their table. She half expected it to be Grant, but it was Roman—wearing his familiar scowl as his eyes darted to the flowers on the table. She was tempted to turn the other way, if only to avoid more scrutiny. The moment he sat down in her mother’s empty seat beside her, her muscles stiffened.
“What do you want, Roman?” she asked, knowing full well this wasn’t a friendly visit.
Unfortunately, her tone didn’t deter him. “I’m not here for you. I came so Tristan wouldn’t.” His voice was just as irritated as hers.
She raised her gaze to meet his. He was much closer than she’d expected. Leaning back slightly, she asked, “What do you mean?”
His golden eyes cut to the flowers. “If you’re going to play with your toys, could you at least not bait them in front of my brother?”
She cursed under her breath—the flowers. Tristan must have witnessed everything. She couldn’t bring herself to check if he was watching. “I’m nottryingto hurt him,” she said lamely.
“And how is that? Keeping your options open to all of the succession contestants? Tell me, should I get Sansburry next? So you can tell Tristan it’s all in the name of love.”
She set her fork down. “What would you have me do? Your brother has kept all other suitors from me.”
His fortified expression faltered. After a brief pause, his eyes sharpened once more. “I don’t believe you.”
“Have you asked him?”
“Haveyou?”
“Grant told me so.”
“And you trust that weasel?”
“I think so.” She shrugged, nonchalantly clutching her glass. “You’ve known Grant longer than I. He may have a spotty track record, but I doubt he’s lying about this one.” She sipped her orange juice, the tang bursting in her mouth.
Roman paused again, clearly contemplating the accusation.
Thinking he was done, she set down her glass, about to leave, when Roman spoke again. “What happened that night? With Xavier. What happened on the beach?”
She didn’t know why he needed an answer. He had been at the tribunal.
She stalled by slowly shifting her body to face him again. “You know what happened.”
“I want to hear you say it.” He squared his shoulders, like he neededthatto look more intimidating. “My father and Tristan assure me you’re quite blameless in the situation.”
“But you don’t agree,” she said, already having anticipated his response.
“Let’s just say I’m not as easily persuaded when it comes to you. Unlike my father and Tristan, I don’t hold a strong attachment.” He offered a tight smile that disappeared quickly. “I don’t believe Xavier would give up his crown just to hurt someone, especially you.”
If he wanted to get under her skin, it was working. His golden eyes scorched hers, reminding her that interrogation had been apart of his job for the past year. He was just like everyone else—the council, the court, all of them.
“You think Iwantedthis?” she asked, exasperated.
