Page 48 of Take My Crown

“Yeah, Romeo,” says Archer. “This isn’t your fault. It’s one of those things.”

They nod at each other, but the guilt is still in Romy’s eyes.

We fall into an awkward silence. There is nothing left to say until we know how Declan and Ally are doing.

At last, the door opens and a doctor walks through to us.

“I understand you’re representatives of the other Houses,” he asks and his eyes stay on me a second too long.

“That’s right,” Romy nods, as the three of us stand up.

“It is most unorthodox for me to be speaking to you like this, but I appreciate your position and the agreement the Houses have to share information when consent is given,” the doctor says. “Both Declan and Ally are awake and capable of giving said consent and they’ve asked me to tell you how they are.”

“And? How are they?” I ask, anxious to know they are okay. Okay, well thatDeclanis okay.

“We will be keeping the pair of them in overnight for observation,” the doctor says. “And Ally has fractured her arm, which will require setting. But it looks like they’ve got nothing more serious than cuts, scrapes and mild concussion. While I would adviseall of youto stay off motorbikes, they should be back at school within a week or two.”

“Thank goodness,” I breathe out. I can feel Archer relaxing his grip on my hand, as Romy lets out a sigh of relief.

“Please send the bill for their treatment to my father,” Romy says with a wave of his hand. “House Navarre will cover all expenses.”

“Of course,” the doctor nods. “Would you like to see your friends now?”

The three of us exchange a glance.

“That would be great,” Romy says, already moving towards the room.

Declan is in a twin room, the other bed presumably set aside for Ally. He pulls himself up to sitting when we come in and my heart bangs in my chest when I see the dirt and dried blood on his cheek and forehead. Tiny scrapes cover his chest, which is bare, and I notice his six-pack and muscular body.Jesus Christ, looking like that under clothes should be illegal.

“Any excuse to make up for the fact you’re a loser,” joked Romy and he holds his hand out to Declan. He shakes it hard. “Did you really have to put yourself in the hospital to make yourself look better though?”

“It was such a stupid fucking mistake,” Declan grumbles. “It was that first turn after the final straight. I went into it too fast and came off the bike into a bush which helped save us from really getting hurt.”

“Don’t beat yourself up,” says Archer, his tone surprisingly gentle. “Mistakes happen. The important thing is you’re both okay.”

“Yeah,” says Declan, looking at me as I awkwardly stand between Romy and Archer. “They’re just setting Ally’s arm now, but they say it’s a simple fracture and should heal pretty quickly. It could have been a lot worse.”

“Good.” I smile at him, moving closer and placing my hand on his shoulder where there are no cuts. He covers my hand with his and my eyes burn with tears as I look down at him. “I’d hate to lose my favourite music partner without telling him I forgive him for everything.”

The doors open as Declan is about to reply and a nurse comes in pushing Ally in a wheelchair, her arm in a cast.

“Come to gloat, have you Ivy?” Ally scorns when she sees me and I drop my hand from Declan like it’s on fire. “I should have known.”

“Actually, Ivy came to check on you,” Romy interrupts. “We all did. We were worried about you.”

“More like worried that I don’t sue you,” says Ally. “What idiot chooses a course with a sharp turn right after a long straight? I’m going to make sure you pay for everything I’m suffering.”

“No lawyer in town is going to represent you against me,” Romy coldly looks down on her. “And I’ll remind you that the Bomber Derby is a well-known tradition. Anyone who participates does so at their own risk. Try to sue me and you’ll find you’re no longer welcome in this town and neither will your parents or your sister.”

“I’m not under Navarre protection. I’m an Archaic,” she holds her head up.

Romy humourlessly laughs.

I step closer to her and lean down. “And I am theheirto the house of Archaic. My family’s protection will not help you if Romy decides to kick you out. If anything, I will open the fucking door. Don’t. Fucking. Threaten. Him.”

Ally opens her mouth to say something else, but the nurse interrupts and I step back.” I think that’s quite enough of all that,” she all but whispers nervously.

I glance at Declan, Romy, and Archer to find them all looking at me in shock. I guess they never expected the heir of Archaic to claim her place. But I am now. I want my own crown. I will use it to protect whoever I want.

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