Page 98 of The Throne Seeker
But it was a ploy as the king’s eyes snapped up with a giant smile. “My son, Tristan Montague!” the king bellowed as the room erupted with cheers.
It was the happiest she’d ever seen Tristan. He jumped straight up, punching his fist triumphantly into the air. Roman roared alongside him as he roughly grabbed his brother’s shoulders with a victorious grin. Queen Lenna smiled wide, not even scolding Harriet for jumping up and down with her brothers. The king embraced him with open arms, clapping his hands on Tristan’s back with pride.
The cheers and shouts were overwhelming, and the volume in the room only grew louder as glasses shot into the air.
Rose should have been cheering with the rest of them. She tried to make herself move, to make herself clap. But she couldn’t get her body to listen as something came over her.
Her world became quiet, as if invisible ear muffs had been placed over her ears. Her ribs grew tight, restricting her shallow breaths as she bit the inside of her cheek, lowering her gaze. It took her a moment to understand what she felt—disappointment.
But not because she didn’t win.
She cast her eyes on another who wasn’t celebrating.
Grant was leaning against one of the giant pillars, taking a long drink from his chalice, his face artfully blank. She was sure his disappointment was far beyond hers. He’d been close—so close. If it weren’t for the sea beast, he probably would’ve won. Despite all this, she had a feeling he knew his quest had been doomed from the start.
As though Grant felt her eyes on him, his gaze met hers. He looked at her grimly before slowly raising his glass to her, conveying his congratulations. She would be Tristan’s queen after all.
“Rose?” her mother called, pulling her out of the mist and back into the world, looking at her expectantly. “Aren’t you going to go congratulate Tristan?”
Rose forced her dry lips apart, mustering a smile. “Yes, yes, of course,” she said, forcing herself to move. She tucked away her insecurities as she pressed through the cheering crowd.
The moment she locked eyes with Tristan, her worries melted into vapor. Her heart grew lighter, and her smile became genuine.
They’d done it.
They’d really done it.
CHAPTER 42
The next day, after their training session, Rose persuaded Zareb to race her through the forest. He was on fire today. She thought he would win, but to her ever-growing pride, she triumphantly made it back first to the castle grounds. Zareb insisted he hadallowedher to win. She would have challenged him again just to prove him wrong, but they were both in desperate need of a bath, and her mother would scold her relentlessly if she were late for the celebration that night—a festivity honoring Tristan.
Their new successor. The fact was still settling in.
They were just reaching the stables when a messenger appeared for Zareb. She didn’t pay it any thought until Zareb returned with a grave frown on his face. In her short amount of time knowing him, she’d never seen him look this nervous.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’ve been summoned to the high council’s chambers,” Zareb replied, his voice strained.
Her stomach dropped ten stories. “What does it mean?”
“I don’t know, but nothing good, I fear.”
What in Vallor could they possibly want? He’d done nothing wrong. She suddenly felt ill, remembering the outcome of Xavier’s tribunal. “I’m coming with you.”
“I don’t want you there,” Zareb said firmly, but the hint of fear beneath his bravado gave him away.
“I’m coming,” she stated, crossing her arms.
They argued back and forth, but she wouldn’t be dissuaded. She swore at Zareb up and down until he had no choice but to bring her, muttering curses under his breath that she was more stubborn than an ass on branding day.
They arrived at the council chambers in record time. She expected to see the king and his council at the high table but was stunned to find only Tristan in the king’s seat, the sunlight streaming in through the windows to shine on his loosely curled blond hair. He did not look pleased.
“Of course you’d bring her along to try to save yourself,” Tristan said in an icy tone. “I told you to come alone.”
Rose’s eyes widened in disbelief—Tristanwas the one who had sent for Zareb?
“I tried to make her wait outside, your Highness,” Zareb stated calmly, not rising to his anger.
