Page 201 of The Throne Seeker
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.
CHAPTER 73
Rose’s siren came to attention as she stood paralyzed by fear, hope, anxiety, dread—she couldn’t tell which one took hold. She tried to force herself to move, but her siren refused to do as she commanded.
