Page 122 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

“But you’re not part of the society,” I say then pause. “Unless you’ve been lying to me.”

“I haven’t,” he assures me while scooting closer. “I’m going to join. Finn actually told Eli this morning that I was going to, and initiation happens tonight.”

A slow blink from me. “Why would you do that? You said you hated the society.”

“I do.” The truth scorches through his voice. “But I don’t want them to touch you, and this is the best way to make it happen.”

“I could just date Finn.” Although I don’t want to.

Sure, he’s hot, but the idea of dating him, especially after I messed around with River, seems like it would be a disaster.

“Oh.” He leans away from me. “You want to date him?”

“What? No. I mean, I like him as a friend, but I don’t want to date him. But I don’t want you to have to join the society simply to protect me. I …” I stare at him in astonishment. “Why would you even consider doing that?”

His response doesn’t come immediately, but when it does, it knocks the air out of me.

“I think it’s pretty clear that I like you,” he says quietly while fiddling with his watch band. “I’m not sure how you feel about me—maybe you just want to be friends. I’d understand, considering my situation …” He trails off, closing his eyes. “I wish my future weren’t what it is, but it is. And I get if you don’t want to get mixed up in that, especially since you told me you don’t date.” He opens his pretty eyes. “We can pretend, if you want—if that makes it easier.”

“Pretend to date?” I repeat in an even tone that is falsely misleading.

The harsh truth is that, inside, I’m a wreck of skipping heartbeats, and my lungs feel tight as I struggle to breathe evenly. I’ve had guys tell me that they like me, but typically, my reaction is indifferent, minus a few times. But never have I felt this way about someone. And that is more terrifying than walking through northside at midnight on a Saturday night alone.

He brushes wisps of his hair out of his eyes. “If that’s what you want.”

I’m conflicted. Deep inside, a need is whispering, one tempting me to actually date him. But then what? We date until the society moves on from me, and then we break up? I can visualize myself actually falling for River, with his sweet smiles and beautiful eyes. Not to mention he treats me so sweetly that I sometimes don’t even know how to deal with it.

“Yeah, I think fake dating is the better idea.” As soon as I say it, I sigh. “Are you sure you want to do this? I can handle it on my own.” I think.

That might be a lie. I can barely handle my northside problems, let alone this royal drama.

“Okay.” Disappointment flashes in his eyes, but he hastily blinks it away. “I’m still not entirely sure how this will work with the society, but for now, we can maybe walk around the hallway, holding hands, and let the gossip spread on its own.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.” I cannot believe I’m doing this. “It’s going to suck lying to Lily. She’s so nice to me.”

“I think it’s for the better. That way, she won’t have to lie about what we’re doing.” He collects the bag he brought with him.

“That’s true,” I say. “So, only you, me, and Finn will know?”

He nods, opening the bag. “And you can trust Finn. I promise.” He sticks his hand into the bag. “Now, I have two things for you, one of which sort of has to do with what we’re discussing.”

“What? Do you have a fake promise ring in there?” I joke, eliciting a crack of a smile from him.

“Nope. No promise ring. But I think you’ll like it as long as you don’t consider it a gift but a necessity.” He pulls out a small box that has a watch in it.

“No, I’m not accepting that.” I shake my head and slide away from him. “I can time myself manually like I’ve always done.”

“Maddy,” he starts with a pressing tone. “It’s not only about you being able to time yourself. I mean, it’s partly about that, but this watch also has a tracker built into it, so if something bad did happen to you, I could find your location.”

I drag my fingers through my hair. This is getting so complicated. “I don’t like this.”

“Like what?”

“That you’re getting so wrapped up in my problems. I never wanted to put any of this on anyone.”

“I know you don’t, and that’s what makes you so amazing.” He moves closer to me and opens the box. Then he removes the watch and softly takes a hold of my wrist. “I’ve spent a lot of my life drifting through events, complying, obeying, doing everything for other people, so I’m well aware when I’m doing things I don’t want to. And this isn’t one of those times.” He places my hand on his leg and wraps the watch band around my wrist.

I should fight him—protest—do something other than watch him secure the watch onto my wrist like some lovestruck idiot. But that’s what I do.

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