Page 121 of The Throne Seeker
Rose’s eyes flared as she approached him. His body stiffened as she came face to face with him. “If I wanted Tristan, he would be mine,” she said with a voice so cold it didn’t feel like her own. “He’d throw everything and everyone into the fire if I but asked. You know he would. Theonlyreason he hasn’t done that, theonlyreason your precious treaty is possible, is because ofme. So instead of blaming me, Roman, you should be thanking me.”
His face was still hard, but just underneath his cold eyes, she saw a flinch. “All I’m saying is you didn’t have to open the door. You wanted to see him just as much as he wanted to see you.”
She rubbed her forehead in frustration before dropping her hand. “He was banging on the door, yelling at the top of his lungs. He wouldn’t stop until I opened it. I didn’t want him waking up half the castle, so I let him in until you came. What was I supposed to do? Let him carry on until someone discovered him and asked questions? Until the princess found out that her future husband has no interest in her at all?”
His eyes softened slightly; he obviously hadn’t thought through the scenario.
Rose let out a loud, frustrated sigh, not needing a reply. “Thank you for coming, Roman, but I think you should go.”
“Rose, I?—”
“Please leave.”
He paused, looking like he had a great deal more he wanted to say, but she didn’t care to hear it.
His jaw clenched along with his fists. He didn’t say another word as he roughly swung the door open and slammed it behind him.
For what had to be the fourth night in a row, Rose cried herself to sleep, letting the tears pour, hoping they’d drown her and she’d never wake.
CHAPTER 52
It was finally here.
The day of the wedding.
The cursed day from hell.
Rose’s mother came in late that afternoon to help her get ready alongside Thea. Both of them were annoyingly overkind, tiptoeing around her like she was a chipped porcelain cup, ready to break if they so much as held it wrong. It was strange getting dressed up for a wedding that was supposed to be hers—a life that was supposed to be hers.
It felt like she was getting ready to go to a funeral instead of a wedding.
She could’ve only been so lucky.
Thea finished, and Rose risked looking into the mirror. Thea had left her dark-brown hair down in loose, soft curls, except for the braided crown atop her head. Her large, almond-shaped eyes were dusted with a dark brown eyeshadow. She wore the light-green dress Satin had given her, as well as a silver necklace and earrings to go with it. A traditional Vertmerian look, she had been told.
“You look stunning,” Thea praised with an all-too-bright smile.
“Except for this ghastly dress,” her mother critiqued, grabbing a handful of the fabric with distaste. “Just look at the color. Rose can pull off anything, but it’s not going to do anyone else any favors.” She waved Thea off. “Thank you, Thea. Why don’t you take the rest of the day off to enjoy the celebrations?”
Thea gave them a small bow, throwing one last sympathetic gaze at Rose before closing the door behind her.
“Are you sure you want to go?” her mother asked. “Just say the word and I’ll make an excuse for you.”
She shook her head. “I’ll be fine. I just want it over with. With any luck, no one will even notice I’m there.”
Her mother gave her a skeptical look. “Well, I’m sorry, but attention will be drawn to you if you go looking like that. It’s unfair how Satin will be outshined by you.”
It was a ploy to make her feel better, of course, but she appreciated it nonetheless. “I must get it from my mother.” She meant to smile, but it didn’t come out quite right. “You look beautiful, too.”
Her mother gave her a playful tap with her fan. It was a true statement—her mother was beautiful in every way. Her hazel eyes went perfectly with her dirty-blonde hair, thick with a natural wave, deepening a bit over time. Even as white strands emerged, they blended seamlessly.
A knock came on the door.
Her nerves spiked. She couldn’t handle any more surprises today.
“Who in Vallor could that be?” her mother muttered as she went to the door.
It was the queen and Harriet, wearing dresses similar to Rose’s.
