Page 85 of The Throne Seeker
“She mentioned someone named the Blood King. Have either of you heard of that name?”
Both shook their heads.
Rose’s shoulders sank with disappointment.
Her mother’s anxious eyes searched the air. “I’ve been worried something like this would happen. There’s been too much going on since we arrived to be a coincidence.”
Rose agreed. She needed answers.
“I need to find the seer. Maybe she can tell us more about this threat.” Her gaze landed on Zareb. “Can you find out where she is staying?”
Zareb was already straightening. “I’ll find out what I can. Stay here,” he instructed, leaving them and disappearing through the doors.
The next thing Rose knew, a pair of furious golden eyes were coming straight for her. She groaned internally; if there was someone she didn’t want to deal with right now, it was Roman.
He seemed to already have his fighting gloves on as he said, “I need to speak with you.”
“Now isn’t a good time,” she said, trying to defuse whatever fire was burning behind his eyes.
“You have a lot of nerve jolting Tristan in front of everyone. Right before the second trial? How could you do that to him?”
Tell him, she scolded herself. Tell him the truth. Tell him you were only protecting the people you love. Tell him that you didn’t want to entertain Grant.
She opened her mouth to speak but didn’t know which lame excuse would squelch the fire burning in his eyes.
Roman scoffed at her lack of defense. “Is this you still playing games?”
“Enough!” Tristan said, appearing behind his brother.
Roman spun to face Tristan. “She’s using you, Tristan. Everyone can see it. Why can’t you?”
Tristan’s confident gaze didn’t waver. “Father doesn’t see it that way, and neither do I. That should be enough for you.”
“You both have blinders on, and you refuse to take them off. I won’t let you throw your life away for someone who doesn’t deserve it. Mark my words—she’ll ruin you, just like she ruined Xavier.” With that, Roman stalked off.
He might as well have tied her to a stake and let the flame take her.
Rose let out an exhausted sigh, resting her elbows on the table and planting her face into her palms.
Her mother put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
“He doesn’t mean that,” Tristan said.
“Oh yes, he does.” She lifted her head to watch him strut away. “And I wouldn’t be surprised if your sister and mother are right behind him, helping him plan a way to be rid of me for good.”
Tristan sat on the bench next to her, lowering his voice. “Listen, Rose. We need to talk.”
She swallowed hard. “I know; I’m sorry today went… well, how it went,” she said, not knowing how else to say it. “With Grant, the trial—it was my fault.”
Tristan shook his head. “No, it wasn’t; the council has had it in for us from the start. Either way, we won’t have much time to dwell on the loss. They’ll announce it soon, but my father told me the third challenge is tomorrow.”
“What?” she whispered, her eyes wide. “What’s the challenge?”
“He wouldn’t say, only that the goal is to retrieve the sun medallion again,” he explained with a bitter tone, then his face softened. “But listen, Rose, there’s something else I need to tell you?—”
Before he could finish, Zareb returned. He bent over, whispering into her ear, “She’s staying in a room at the castle. I found out where, but we should go now. She’s planning to leave soon.”
The opportunity was too important to miss. “I’m sorry, I have to go,” Rose said to Tristan. Before he could begin to protest, she added, “I promise I’ll find you later.”
