Page 74 of The Throne Seeker
Grant must have heard her light footsteps because he glanced over his shoulder. His face brightened as soon as hespied her. “Fancy seeing you here. You know, you scared me when I couldn’t find you after yesterday’s ordeal.”
“Glad to know you still care.”
Grant’s smile morphed into a sly one. “Only for you.”
She was counting on it. “Can we talk in private?”
His brow quirked. “Of course.”
Neither spoke as she brought him to the edge of the large terrace facing the western sea. The midnight sky was netted with stars and two moons, shining their cool light. Grant observed her as they leaned against the railing, as if trying to figure out what in Vallor was going through her mind.
“Look, I’m sorry to bother you when the second challenge is less than twelve hours away.” She nervously threw the skirt of her dress behind her.
Grant slid closer. “Are you going to tell me why you look so worried? I assume it’s not because you’re ready to declare your secret undying love for me.” A ghost of a smirk crossed his lips.
She wasn’t in the mood for teasing. “I need to ask you a favor. And I need you to give me your word you won’t tell a soul.”
His bright green eyes flickered with curiosity. “You have it.”
She took a mental breath, hoping she wouldn’t regret this later. “I’ve been learning how to wield a sword,” she admitted as quickly as ripping off a bandage. It was too late to go back now.
Grant’s brow peaked in surprise, keeping his eyes fixated on her, waiting for her to continue.
“Tristan found out this morning, and he thinks it’s you who’s been teaching me. It’s a long story, but I may have alluded to it. If he comes to you, I need you to tell him it’s true.”
Grant cocked his head slightly, his expression serious for once. “You want me to admit I’ve been training you? To fight?”
She nodded, slipping her hand into his, knowing full well what she was doing—and so did he. Nonetheless, he gripped her hand back tightly.
“Yes,” she whispered into the cool air.
Grant’s green eyes shifted out into the night, considering her offer as new clouds on the horizon crept across the sea to the shore. His silence lasted so long that she questioned if she’d made a mistake.
Finally, his dangerous green eyes flashed back to hers. “I assumed as much in the first challenge… You continue to be more than meets the eye, Rosalie Versalles,” he said as he finally came to a conclusion. “Okay.”
Now, it was her turn to be surprised. “Okay?”
“Okay,” he repeated.
She was amazed that he would trust her without question. At that moment, she let herself wonder if she had to marry Grant, would it be as bad as she’d made herself believe?
“That’s it? You’re not going to ask more questions?”
“I don’t need to, but you do have to promise me something in return.”
She reinforced her walls; she should’ve expected as much. “And what’s that?”
“When the time comes, you won’t stop me when I try to kiss you.” He eased closer, his lips millimeters from hers. “You’ll give me a fair shot and remember how willing I was to help when you needed it.”
Her eyes held steady despite being surprised by his request, trying to discourage any second thoughts about his promise.
“And I get to pick the time and place for this kiss.” He tucked her hair behind her ear.
She cursed herself for how much power she’d just given him, wholeheartedly counting on his feelings for her to keep it a secret. And he knew it. “Agreed.”
A large, flirtatious smile filled his face as he tilted up her chin. “Don’t look so worried, love… I promise it won’t be as painful as it sounds.”
“Rose?” Tristan’s voice called.
