Page 161 of The Throne Seeker
“Do you bribe every maiden you meet with a dress?” she asked, half serious.
His friends snorted at her question, acting as though the notion was ridiculous.
“You’d be the first—well, aside from my sister and mum,” Moretti added, thinking about it more.
Rose raised a brow. “I don’t believe you.”
“Believe what you wish, goddess, but it’s true.”
“Goddess?” She laughed at the nickname.
“That’s what they’re calling you,” Moretti said with a smooth grin. “You’re practically royalty around here now.”
“And rightly so,” Talon spoke up, his dark hair hanging in front of his eyes. “I’ve never seen anything like it. It was bloody incredible. How’d you learn to ride like that?”
Rose’s lips slipped up into a coy smile. “Instinct, I suppose,” she claimed vaguely.
Talon’s eyes gleamed. “Perhaps you could teach me a thing or two.” He leaned closer with a handsome smile.
“PerhapsIought to teach you a thing or two about manners,” Moretti said, resting his elbows on his knees and leaning forward toward his friend in warning.
Talon backed off, slumping back into his seat with a scowl.
After what seemed like an eternity, the carriage pulled up at their destination. Rose peeked out the window, expecting to see his estate. Instead, she saw an enormous tavern.
Blood drained from her face.
Moretti exited first. “Coming, goddess?” He winked with a smile, holding out his hand.
She scrambled for an excuse, fighting her trembling hands. “I can’t?—”
“Don’t let the riffraff scare you,” he said, defusing her refusal.
She resigned, taking his hand and suppressing the lump threatening to rise in her throat.
“Onyx can stay out here with the horses. He’ll be well taken care of until you return. I promise.”
She threw a questioning glance at Onyx.
Go. I’m in no danger,Onyx prodded her.I’ll be close by; if you need me, just call.
Onyx’s reassurance was the only thing that got her through the double door.
It was the grandest tavern she’d ever seen—nothing like the monstrosity she’d stayed at with Roman. The three-story building had tall ceilings, new furniture, and sleek, polished wooden finishes. The wall behind the hand-carved bar displayed more bottles of wine than she’d ever known existed. Even the glass coasters were embossed with a large roaring lion that readThe Lion’s Denat the bottom. Men and women crowded around the bar, all holding drinks.
As soon as they’d walked through the doors, cheers greeted them, but they weren’t for Moretti.
“The goddess has arrived!” a man in the crowd roared, lifting his mug into the air in celebration.
The volume boomed as others cheered alongside him. Rose shoved aside her fear and let a proud grin slip onto her lips, playfully bowing.
“Round’s on me!” Moretti declared at the bar, and everyone cheered again.
Once their attention was redirected to their drinks, Moretti gave her a lopsided grin. “Come on.” He put his hand on the small of her back.
Rose took it one step further, sliding her hand into his. If it was for her own reassurance or just playing the part, she wasn’t sure.
Moretti welcomed her advance without a thought, tugging her closer.
