Page 83 of The Throne Seeker
“But your fear will. Why is it you’re so afraid of losing her?” the seer asked, digging at him.
A long pause filled the room as he fought the herb’s effects, clenching his fists. “I’m afraid because… I know I’ll never find anything or anyone that compares to her. The feelings I have for her can never be replicated. She brings out the good in me. And I fear if I lose her, I’ll lose that—the good. I fear I’d be a completely different man… someone I don’t want to be.”
The seer leaned forward. “If needed, are you willing to give her up to be the king Cathan needs?”
Tristan shook his head as his face contorted. “I—I… I don’t know.”
Rose sat frozen in the silence that followed as she gaped at him. She’d had no idea how much he’d been struggling.
The seer leaned away, glancing at the council, asking whether they were satisfied. The king responded with a decisive nod.
The seer redirected her misty eyes to Rose and stretched out her hand.
She fought to keep her hand steady as she extended it. The silence in the hut was so strained that the cracks and pops of the fire might as well have been lightning crackling in the sky.
The seer’s gentle, weathered hand grasped hers. With delicate fingers, she outlined the lines on Rose’s palm, each gesture ending with a graceful swirl or a subtle flick. Moving with such elegance, Rose was sure it was an art. She searched for a pattern, but there didn’t seem to be one.
The seer’s movements slowed, nearly stopping as she closed her eyes, as if she had uncovered something new.
Without warning, the seer’s eyes flared back open, now glowing within a frosty blue fog Rose knew she could get lost in if she leaned too close. The sight nearly made her jump.
“I see you’ve come a long way since you were a child.” The seer’s light voice had altered, now low and raspy. Her misty eyes remained fixed, locked in a trance. “It was difficult for you, growing up. Your father was a large source of your suffering, and you feel a great responsibility to take care of your mother.”
Rose shot a quick glance at her mother and Zareb as sweat trickled down her chin, dripping onto her thigh.Please, she pleaded internally,please don’t say anything that could give them away.
As if the seer heard her silent plea, she switched subjects. “You’ll find you have many possible matches, but only you will have the power to choose who deserves your heart. When you do, it will create a love unlike any I’ve witnessed. Powerful enough to destroy both of your deepest demons…” The seer’s voice faded.
Rose exchanged a longing glance with Tristan, a different kind of warmth radiating from her. He returned her gaze with equal pride.
“I see something else…” The seer’s gaze wandered as if she were stepping into another realm. “A fork in the road, symbolizing two distinct paths… You must make a choice. But be cautious. I foresee the road you’ll choose will send ripples throughout nations far beyond the borders of Cathan… You will be a powerful leader, a star, a beacon of hope to many. They will love, serve, and follow you.”
The council remained as motionless as flies in a web, but their narrowing eyes slid to Rose like they had just uncovered a new threat.
The seer’s gaze shifted, focusing on something. “There is something dark that lingers in the distance. It’s hard to see. I fear it may be… It’s…”
The seer dropped her hand as if Rose’s palm had scalded her. The woman blinked, and the foggy mist in her eyes disappeared, fear shining like she’d just woken from a dreadful nightmare.
“What? What is it?” Rose asked, confused.
The woman looked at her solemnly.The Blood King.
A sudden chill ran through her, turning her sweat cold. The seer’s mouth hadn’t moved an inch, but Rose had heard her as clear as day. It was just like how she’d spoken to the phoenix in her mind.
Who?she thought.
If the seer heard her, she ignored the question.You’re in danger here—you need to leave before he finds you.
This time, Rose was certain the seer was speaking into her mind, but she had no time to dwell on the novelty.
What do you mean? Before who can find me?she asked.Please, I have so many questions.
Lord Martin stood, furiously glancing between the two. “What’s going on?” he barked. His angry eyes flashed to the seer. “This isn’t what was agreed upon. We asked for an interview, not this jumble of nonsense. You haven’t asked the girl a single question!”
A murmur of agreement spread throughout the council. Even Lord Barron did not look satisfied.
To Rose’s surprise, the seer rose from the cushion to meet Lord Martin head-on. “I was clear that I am only able to see what is given. The herbs interact uniquely with each person.”
Rose stared at the seer in awe. For some reason or another, the seer was protecting her. But why? Did the seer deem her secrets worth keeping? Or maybe she saw something that needed protecting? She didn’t know. But whatever the seer’s reason—she would be in her everlasting debt.
