Page 53 of Royal Rising

At least I hope it’s not. We all complain about Lyra, but I know my brothers share my worries about her. She was hit the hardest over our mother’s death and even seven years later, I notice shadows cross her face when she’s home.

She’s not home a lot.

The storm has kept her in town for longer than she wanted to and I’m glad she’s found something to amuse herself with.

I just hope my place doesn’t pay the price.

Along with Lyra is her usual accomplice, Kate, and hey—

Bethie and Suze look like they decided to take a break from their serving duties to join the dance party. Bethie catches me watching her and gives a guilty wave, but Suze ignores me as she backs out of the group and heads to the bar to pick up a pitcher,delivering it to Jem and Leodie from Coffee for the Sole, sitting with Silas and singing along to the music.

Guess they closed early to trade coffee for beer.

And there, right beside my sister, is Mabel Crow. Why is she—?

And then I forget about Mabel and my staff and everyone else because there’s Edie, her ponytail waving as she bumps hips with Kate.

Edie’s wearing her oldest jeans that she can’t bring herself to throw out. They look exactly like the denim you can buy with rips and tears but every rip in Edie’s jeans has a story to tell. She’s had them since high school, and they look really good on her.

Plus they’re low rise and when she bends over, sometimes you can see the edge of her underwear.

Less than a week ago, I watched her glide down the aisle, gorgeous in a fancy blue-green dress and heels, hair and makeup done, and even with one of my mother’s necklaces. She looked amazing.

Tonight she wears the jeans with a plain black T-shirt and her apron. I just left Fenella Carrington, who wore an outfit worth more than Edie makes in a year, and she can’t hold a candle to Edie.

Seeing Edie in those jeans and T-shirt, arms up andsmilingas she moves to the music, looking as happy as I’ve ever seen her, is like a kick in the gut.

I actually hunch my shoulders, clapping a hand to my stomach.

She’s…Edie… and I’m—

“I wondered if you would make an appearance.”

Wide-eyed at the rush of…whateverthat was, I look over and see Mathias leaning against the bar.

And then my feeling-like-it-just-got-kicked stomach takes a nosedive because Mathias is here for Edie.

The King’s Hat is not the sort of place my cousin normally frequents. In fact, before this visit, I don’t remember him ever stepping foot inside.

I don’t blame him. He clearly doesn’t fit in, looking like a fairytale prince in his tailored pants and white polo shirt without a drop of rain marring it.

“What makes you think you have what it takes to become king? You’re nothing but a jock—a dumb one at that—and you’ll only bring this country to its knees if you become king.”

The memory hits me like a slap.Memories, because it wasn’t the first time someone—family—questioned my ability to take over after my father.

First when I was seven, then not again until I was seventeen. But after that, every time Mathias and his family were at the castle, for family events or political obligations, I would overhear things. Dante questioning my studies, the role I take in my father’s counsel. Mathias’s younger brother Jonas, outright criticizing my choices of relationships, activities, and even my clothes.

And Mathias—he would comment on a few things but mainly stepped back with his smug smile, looking the epitome of a prince.

I told myself it didn’t matter,theydidn’t matter because I would be king someday but over the years, I hated to admit the little bug they put in my ear only grew and spread until that was all I thought about when I considered the steps I need to take.

Before the wedding, I hadn’t seen my cousin in well over a year.

But now, thanks to Edie, he’s going to be here all the time.

“Cousin.” I nod to him as I duck behind the bar, hoping he didn’t notice me staring at Edie.

“Your Highness,” he says smoothly and with a hint of bitterness.

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