Page 51 of Take My Crown

“Good. We are doing that again before I have to leave.”

His grin is nothing short of sexy as he flips us over on the couch and grabs another condom.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Ivy Archaic

Idon’t want Archer to take me home. I want to spend the night with him, wake up in his arms and start the day with even more sex, but for him to keep me would mean my dad freaking the hell out. In Archer’s arms, I almost forget the cage I’m trapped inside of.

“It’s not worth risking,” he tells me. “Your father can decide we’re not allowed to see each other and I can’t bear it if that happens.”

“He cantryto stop us seeing each other. Doesn’t mean he will succeed,” I point out.

“Oh, Ivy.” Archer laughs. “Sometimes you’re so naïve. Aside from the fact you live in a virtual fortress which would be almost impossible to escape, your father will stop at nothing to have his way. If we go against his wishes, he’ll make sure we’re both put in our place. I wouldn’t put it past him to start a war between our Houses if I were to continue dating his little girl when he has forbidden it. It’s not worth it. Let’s just play the game his way for now until we’re in a position to go our own way.”

“You’re right,” I sigh, and let him drive me back to my father’s house on the back of his bike, the night sky soothing to look up at. I kiss Archer goodbye outside my father’s house as a guard opens the front door for me. I try walking as quickly as I can to the stairs but just as I lift my foot onto the first step, dad calls me from his office.

Fuckcakes.

“I trust you enjoyed yourself at the Bomber Derby?” he asks as I come into the room. Resting on his nose are a pair of smooth black glasses and he takes them off, placing them on the pile of paperwork on his desk.

“It was alright,” I say, rubbing my arm. “I would rather compete than be a passenger though. Those boys all think they’re so amazing. I would love the chance to put them in their place.”

“From what I heard, you put one of them in hospital,” my father points out with a sinister grin. “My daughter already taking out the Dauphin competition. I love it. Declan is the only heir they have after his three brothers died a few years back in a terrible plane crash.”

The way he says ‘terrible’ makes me think he loves that it happened. Poor Declan. My heart hurts for him.

“That isn’t quite what happened,” I say, clearing my throat. “Declan misjudged a turn and came off his bike. No one is seriously hurt, although his girlfriend broke her arm–if anything, I have to say his pride took the biggest hit.”

“Good. Those Dauphins always are too full of themselves.” My father nods slowly, taking in the latest piece of information. “I called you in here to talk about Archer Knight.”

“What about him?” I try to keep it casual, wondering if he somehow knew we’d slept together, but I’m not a good liar or good at hiding my feelings.

“As you may recall, Archer is working for me as part of an agreement between our two Houses to pay off a debt his dad owes me,” my father states. “As you get older, I’ll start introducing you to the nuances of the inter-House politics. As it currently stands, all you need to know is that things have changed and Archer is no longer working for me. The debt is paid.”

“Oh.” I had to work hard to hold back my smile. If Archer isn’t working for my dad, we’d have a lot more freedom. We can spend more time together, maybe even work up to me staying at his place.

“That’s not all,” my father continues and my smile drops. “I’m afraid that due to current circumstances, you will no longer be permitted to see Archer. I cannot have you falling in love with a Knight anytime soon.”

“What?!” My jaw drops. “You can’t be serious!”

“Deadly,” says my father. “I have already checked with Mr Pilkington, who assures me you do not have any classes with Archer, so it should be a simple matter to avoid him while at the Academy. And whilst I am sympathetic to your need to have a social life outside of school, you are to avoid Archer should you encounter him while at a party or another Bomber Derby.”

“No way.” I shake my head, resolute. “You can’t stop me seeing him.”

“I would have thought you’d be happy.” There is a twinkle in my father’s eye as he spoke that suggested he knew more about my relationship with Archer than he is letting on. “I mean, the boy didkidnapyou, whisk you away from your old life without warning. He tied you up and brought you to me without question simply because I asked him to. I would have thought someone so weak-willed and willing to do anything to make a good impression on me would be someone you’d be more than happy to avoid.”

“It’s like you said. Circumstances change,” I tell him. “I’ve had a chance to get to know Archer and he explained everything. He’s not a bad person. He did what he thought was right. He looks up to you, respects you. He wants to build a strong connection between our Houses. Heck, I thought that’s whatyouwanted.”

“Circumstances change,” my father smirks. “The tides are constantly shifting between our Houses as the balance of power waxes and wanes. Your loyalty is to our House, first and foremost. And given that, I must insist that you keep your distance from the Knight boy or I will have to take further measures. And trust me, Ivy. You really don’t want to push me on this. Don’t the houses have two other young heirs you like? Pick one of them, they are agreeable.”

“But-” I try and fail to think of a good counter argument, but I have nothing.

“Not buts. Honestly, you sound like your mother,” he huffs, his eyes narrowing on me.

“Why did my mother leave you?” I ask and silence answers me.

“To protect you. She chose you over me,” he eventually spits out. “She told me I was her king and nothing would ever get in the middle of us and then she choseyou.”

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