Page 23 of The Throne Seeker
“What will happen to him?”
“I’m sure they’ll figure that out tomorrow.” Her mother came and helped her back into bed before covering her up with the sheets. “But let’s not worry about that tonight. Right now, you need to rest.”
She wanted to protest, but she could already feel her eyes drooping. She laid back down as her mother tucked her in, planting a kiss on her head as she played with her hair.
Within a matter of minutes, her exhaustion after the events of the last twelve hours and the chamomile tea lulled her into a dreamless sleep.
CHAPTER 10
Rose woke to find another steaming cup of tea and honey beside her bed. Her maid, Thea, was already present and ready to tend to her. Together, they changed her bandage, and the wound already looked far better than it had the night before. Thea tried to adhere to the healer’s orders by urging her to return to bed, but Rose insisted Thea help her into the sage-green dress she’d chosen.
As Thea helped her dress, Rose finally noticed the three large bouquets waiting for her on the table. “When did these come?”
The timid blonde gave a sly smile. “Last night before the ball. I’m surprised you didn’t see them… I heard Prince Tristan came backthreetimes to check on you.”
A smile broke through as Rose bit her lower lip. Redirecting her focus to the flowers, she approached the beautiful arrangements to read the notes attached. Thea followed behind, still tying up the back of her dress.
Rose went to the blue hydrangeas first. Her favorite.
Good luck tonight. I can’t wait to dance with you.
- Tristan
She lowered the note, replaying the scene of them dancing the night before, thrown back into his sea-blue eyes, knowing she’d gladly drown in them.
She cast her feelings aside like she did every minute of every day and moved to the next flower arrangement—a lavish, colorful arrangement of lilies.
No flower can compare to your beauty, but these will have to do.
- Grant
She almost snorted. She was somewhat surprised, but she supposed she shouldn’t have been. Grant was used to getting his way. He wouldn’t give up, especially with her mother’s encouragement. She didn’t stand a chance of refusing if they were on the same side.
She put the card on the table before moving on to the last bouquet.
Her heart stopped midbeat.
An arrangement of beautiful black roses rested elegantly in a gold vase that looked like it had been melted into its beautiful shape. She peered into the bouquet, but she didn’t see a note. She lifted the vase—nothing. When Rose asked Thea about it, she said it hadn’t come with one.
She stared at the roses in wonder. They weren’t pure black, but rather a deep, rich shade of red—surprisingly beautiful for such a somber color. Who would select such a bloom?
The question brought a memory to the forefront of her mind.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” a compassionate stranger said to her, repeating the same phrase for what felt like the hundredth time.
She plastered a smile on her face. “Thank you,” she said, accepting the flower arrangement.
The elderly woman patted her hand before joining the others gathered around the grave.
She was left alone while the others readied for the burial. Numb to the cold, biting wind swirling around her, she stared at the pile of freshly dug dirt, shadowed by the gray sky above.
“Rose,” her mother called, awakening her from her daze. “Will you please put these with the others?” she asked, handing her another flower arrangement. “I don’t know who they’re from. The tag must’ve gotten lost with the rest of them.”
She took the vase. “You know you don’t need to make such a fuss over this,” she whispered. “He wasn’t worth?—”
Her mother cut her off with a cross look. “We will not talk like this—not now, not here. Not today. Do you understand me?”
She bit hertongue. “Yes, Mum.”
