Page 84 of Royal Rising

No serving for me—I’m staying right here to deal with this. “I’m sorry? How have you misjudged me?”

“If you’re defending a woman like that.” He leans an elbow on the bar. “Why do you work here, Edie?”

I suddenly wonder why I ever thought Mathias was so attractive. “Because it’s my job.”

“You’re a barkeep. You never wanted anything more for yourself? Your father worked at the castle, didn’t he?”

My mouth literally falls open. Who is this person?

“Or is it because you had hopes of snagging yourself a prince for a husband?”

“Excuseme?”

Mathias scoffs. “I’ve seen the women my cousin runs around with. He’s not the marrying type, and clearly, neither are they.”

There’s a buzzing in my ears and I try to make sense of what Mathias is saying. Ofwhyhe’s saying it. Because this isn’t the way you speak to a woman you’re interested in.

Or anyone you respect.

And then I remember what Kalle told me about how Mathias would taunt him, and I get angry all over again. “I’d like you to leave,” I tell him with a voice that’s as cold as the ice in the drinks.

Mathias laughs, an ugly sound. “You’re not serious.”

My eyes narrow, and one of the regulars sitting at the bar makes a choking sound. “Oh, I’m very serious,” I say.

“I had decided to court you.” I take a step back from the venom in Mathias’s words. “You seemed… suitable. I had hopes of you becoming my wife. I was ready to take you away from this place, from this life.”

What? Where did he idea I would ever be interested in alifewithhim?

“I like this place,” I say automatically, because what do you say when presented with something like this? “I don’t need to be rescued.”

“You sure about that? Your father worked at the castle. Chasing around my cousin for your whole life while you pretend to work for him? If you wanted a prince, I was ready to give you one.”

I look around the bar, at the people who were ready to stand with me. At my friends who I serve and take care of. At Kalle’s place—Kalle’s and mine. Because The King’s Hat is as much mine as his, and everyone knows it. “Not interested,” I tell him. Never in my life have I sounded so rude. “Never was, never will be. I suggest you see yourself out before you get to witness how much I enjoy certain aspects of my job.” I lean closer. “The throwing out kind. What would you tell your father if you got thrown out of your cousin’s bar by a simple barkeep?”

Mathias sniffs. “I expected more from you.”

“What—gratitude because you thought you needed to rescue me? No, thank you. I can rescue myself, thank you very much. Now, if you don’t mind, I have work to do. Good night, Mathias, and it was not good to meet you.”

I watch him walk out without another word. Or a look back. That’s enough of Mathias. I much prefer the Battle Harbour royal family.

Sophie and Fenella cheer and lift their glasses in a toast to me.

The door has just closed behind Mathias when my phone, jammed in my back pocket, rings.

It’s Stella.

28

Kalle

Since my mother died,I’ve had a recurring nightmare about losing my father.

It’s not pleasant, and it makes it worse that I never know how he dies in my dream.

This is worse than any dream because it’s really happening.

I haven’t been able to take a deep breath since Dad hit the floor.

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