Page 100 of The Throne Seeker
She strode up to Tristan, coming face to face to the man she loved, lowering her voice. “Please, I’ll do anything,” she begged, pleading for any sign of mercy. “Please don’t send him back there…please. You have the power to stop this. The council need not ever know.”
To her utter devastation, Tristan’s expression remained as solid as steel. “You could havediedin that cove. Don’t make this worse for him.” He faced Zareb. “I’ll give you until nightfallto gather your things. Consider yourself lucky I showed you mercy.”
“Of course. Thank you, your Highness.” Zareb bowed.
Without another word, Tristan stalked out of the room, leaving devastation in his wake. Her throat closed off. What had she done?
Anxiety crept up as she attempted to calm her thundering heart. Her eyes darted around, thinking of a plan. “I’ll talk to him. I’ll get him to change his mind—or I’ll talk to the king. He wouldn’t allow for this.”
“Don’t,” Zareb said at once. “It’ll only make things worse. If we involve him or the council, the outcome could be far more detrimental.”
“But I forced you into it,” she whispered. Her hands went to her temples. “This can’t be happening.”
Zareb gently pushed her hands away, cupping her face. “I’d do it all again if I had the choice.”
Tears pricked at the backs of her eyes. “It’s—it’s all my fault.” Her breaths shook in her chest.
“No,” Zareb answered with all the reassurance in the world. “It’s not your fault. He’s right. I failed to protect you.Ifailed in my oath.”
A tear escaped, trickling down her cheek. “But you’re my best friend… I don’t think I can do this without you.”
Zareb tilted her chin up. “You can do all of it and more. You’re strong—so strong, Rose. Stronger than me, stronger than anyone I’ve ever known. Guilt is a heavy burden to bear, I know. I carried it with me for a long time, so long I thought it might break me. Promise me you won’t do the same.”
She couldn’t possibly keep a promise like that. Guilt was her constant companion. She’d carried it with her like an invisible bag sagging on her shoulders. She’d practically drowned in it.
Instead, she pretended to be strong, nodding weakly.
She’d try.
For him.
“You must promise me one more thing,” Zareb continued. “Promise me that when you feel utterly alone, you’ll remind yourself you need no one else. That when you look down at the two hands in front of you, you’ll remember they are the only ones you need. Not mine, not Tristan’s, not your mother’s—yours. Hold yourself with them, and remind yourself that only you can give yourself the love you deserve—love far more important, pure, and true than any other human can give you. Remember that.”
Another warm tear slipped down her cheek as she weakly nodded again.
“I put your sword in the grove where we practice, near the large tree we rested against. Find it, keep it safe. Don’t let them take it from you.”
She forced her eyes to meet his. To her utter shock, his polished brown eyes were filled with moisture.
“You are a light, Rosalie. Don’t let anyone dim it or take it away.” Zareb gently brushed a tear away from her cheek with his rough thumb. “I’ll miss you.” His deep voice cracked.
“I’ll miss you, too.” She wept.
She lowered her eyes, unable to keep herself from breaking out into more tears. So she stepped forward and threw her arms around his neck.
He hugged her back with fierce arms, lowering his head to rest on her shoulder as they said their final farewell.
CHAPTER 43
The crystal-teardrop chandelier hung gracefully above the room, decorated with garlands like those on the tables. Underneath it, in the center of the dance floor stood a fountain, which Rose suspected was filled with champagne, the bubbly liquid creating a perfect centerpiece. This was truly a magnificent celebration—one that she had been looking forward to.
She only wished she’d be able to enjoy it.
Her mother noticed her downfallen eyes, taking her hand and squeezing it tightly. “I’m sorry about Zareb… I know how much he meant to you. I liked him very much, too, to be honest, even if he was dreadfully serious,” her mother teased, offering a small, sympathetic smile.
Rose changed the subject before tears broke out again, her eyes flickering to nearby faces who were all watching her. “Why is everyone staring?” she whispered.
Her mother gave her a knowing smile. “They’re admiring their future queen—speaking of which, where’s Tristan?” she asked, scouring the dance floor.
