Page 227 of The Throne Seeker
Out of nowhere, Xavier straightened, mumbling something about needing another drink. He’d seen. Rose was about to open her mouth to protest, but Xavier was already on his way over to the tables.
“Would you like to—” Roman was cut off as a beautiful blonde appeared.
Rose immediately let go of Roman’s hand.
“You’re back!” Beth said, her blue eyes bright, solely set on Roman. “I was starting to get worried. I’m ever so sorry to hear about your mother.”
“Thank you,” Roman replied, his eyes softening. “Would you like to dance?”
It took Rose every speck of self-mastery to keep her siren contained. By some miracle, she retained her composure, keeping her face clear of any negative emotion as she stomached the interaction.
Beth’s face brightened at once. “Of course.”
Roman glanced at Rose, asking for permission.
She did her best to push her insecurities aside, giving him a small smile. What could one dance hurt?
“You don’t mind, do you, Rose?” Beth asked, her looking her up and down with a disapproving glare as if to ask why her permission was needed.
“Oh, of course not.” She forced a wider smile.
With that, Roman grasped Beth’s hand and guided her onto the dance floor. Rose folded her arms and sulked.
“She deserves a conversation, Rose,” her mother said, looking at the pair sympathetically. “Her soul is about to be crushed.”
At last, it clicked. Rose’s eyes grew with realization as she looked back at the couple. Beth was still under the impression Roman had come back for her. Guilt crept in. She was selfish. Greedy and selfish. Any and all friendship she’d had with Beth was now completely ruined. She had never intended to steal him from her. He’d just… snuck up on her.
Before long, her mother was also whisked away by a dance partner, leaving Rose alone on the sidelines.
She tried not to be irritated by Beth’s besotted gaze as she ripped her gaze from them, craving a distraction. She was about to get a drink when she realized her mistake. Countless eyes were fixed upon her—leering, eager, longing to dance with the siren.
She was about to run for it when a familiar feminine voice stopped her. “Leaving so soon?”
Rose took a mental breath before she turned to face Satin, giving her a bright smile. It was an effort to make her muscles move. “Just going to get a drink. Would you like one?”
“No, thank you,” Satin replied sourly. “I don’t need anything from you.”
Rose nodded and began to turn away. She intended to ignore the dig, but then her siren—or perhaps another darker aspect of herself—overpowered her. She moved closer to Satin and spoke in a low voice. “I understand why you’re angry with me. I get it. Truly. But this continued hostility towards me is starting to get old.”
Satin stepped towards her, lowering her voice so only she could hear. “Tell me,” Satin said, her voice so cold it could have given her frostbite. “Have you ever fallen instantly for someone you thought was the one? Be so blind as to marry him, feeling like the luckiest girl in the world, only to find out he’s in love with another woman? The same woman you thought was a friend? To have to find out on your wedding night, making love to one another when he cries out her name?” An angry tear spilled out of her soft brown eyes.
Rose was so stunned she couldn’t reply.
No. No, he wouldn’t. Tristan wouldn’t think of her when they… when they…
She was going to be sick.
“You should’ve told me,” Satin said, betrayed. “You shouldn’t have led me to believe there was nothing between you two.Looking back, I know I should have seen it myself. Why else would he feel obliged to save you in the third challenge? All of you took my naivety for gullibility, and now I have to endure a loveless marriage with a child I’m not even sure he wants.”
Oh, Rose, what have you done?
“I’m sorry. I should’ve told you,” she admitted. “But he’ll love your child. He’s wanted nothing more than to be a father.”
Satin glared at her with intolerant eyes. “You can offer me no such false reassurances.”
“We don’t need to be enemies, Satin,” Rose said, looking for any sign of a white flag. “I know we have our differences. I’m not asking to be your best friend, but can we put it aside and at least be civil?”
Satin eyed her for a long moment, giving her hope she was at least considering her words. But then her soft face turned unsavory as a sneer slipped through. “We could be the last two people in Vallor and I’d still choose to die alone than be civil with you.”
