Page 220 of The Throne Seeker
Roman let out a defeated sigh. “As much as I hate to admit it… I agree with Rose. If they wanted to kill her, they would have already. We’ll have to confront them eventually; here would be just as good of a place as any. At least here we have an advantage.”
“And just how are you supposed todrawthem out?” Harriet asked. “It’s obvious they want to stay hidden.”
“Not necessarily,” Roman said. “They had to be the ones in the woods that day. The ones who kidnapped Rose and put her in the cove. They are here. We just need to create another opportunity for them.”
An opportunity.
She had an idea.
“We could hold a ball,” she said as she searched her mind. “It would be the perfect place for exposure without raising suspicion. I could reveal myself as a siren and get the court’s attention—the news would spread like wildfire. It may just draw them out.”
Tristan nodded, his eyes growing brighter at the idea. “We could say it’s a celebration to honor our mother; no one would think twice about it.”
“And what if these men decide to take out their rage on the people of this court?” Satin spoke up, glaring. “I’m not willing to protect a siren who’s just using our grief for her own benefit.”
“Satin, stop it,” Tristan said with an impatient snap. “She isn’t going to hurt anyone.”
Satin scowled back with malice. “You’re making a mistake. This will bring hell upon us all, I promise you.”
Without another word, Satin left them, stomping down the hallway.
Tristan sighed in frustration, letting her go.
“He’s taking a long time,” Harriet said, gazing at the door with puffy eyes. “Do whatever you have to do… I just want thisall to stop.” Without another word, Harriet opened the door and returned to her mother’s room.
Xavier didn’t miss a beat after Harriet closed the door. “You realize once the court discovers what you are, the council will turn on you. They’ve given us space for my mother’s sake, but as soon as they find out about you, they’ll lock you up, sell you, maybe even kill you.”
She winced out of reflex.
Roman squared his shoulders as his beautiful honey eyes held hers. “I’ll stand by you, whatever you decide.”
She paused, considering the risks. “I have to try,” she concluded. “It’s our best chance.”
“I’m telling you, this is a mistake,” Xavier warned. “I have half a mind to drag you out of here before this all blows up.”
“Feel free to run any time it’s convenient for you,” Tristan seethed.
Xavier ignored him, keeping his gaze on Rose. “I’m not leaving you again.”
“Then don’t say things like that,” she rebutted. “If you want to help, you’re going to have to stay to do that.”
Xavier looked at Roman, to his last hope. “Are you going to try to talk any sense into her?”
Roman paused to think, rubbing the side of his face. “No. I trust her. I’ll talk to our father. If he agrees, we’ll hold the ball… tonight.”
CHAPTER 78
It didn’t take much to convince the king of their plan.
Whether it was the loss of his wife or the growing urgency to uncover who the insurgents were, King Henrik was prepared to take the risk if Rose was.
They implemented every possible precaution. The king commanded double the guards to ensure the castle would be secured twice over. Once the ball commenced, no one would be allowed to enter or leave the grounds. Every attendee would be accounted for, leaving no stone unturned.
They did all this if only to reassure Rose’s mother, who despised the idea—taking Xavier’s side. They argued back and forth, but Rose emerged victorious with the king’s added reassurance that nothing would happen to Rose under his protection. As for the funeral preparations, the king ordered the passing ceremony to be the following night, allowing the servants enough time to prepare.
High emotions shadowed Rose at every turn, the ache in each member of the royal family draining her reserves. It was as if the god of death hovered over her shoulder, sapping the happiness out of her. At times, it became so unbearable that it forced her toflee the room entirely. She was afraid she’d be driven to madness if it stayed like this for much longer.
After having brunch with her mother and taking a long, well-needed nap, Rose stepped out onto her balcony, savoring the moment of solitude.
