Page 19 of The Royal Flame
The society.
Getting drugged.
Finding out that I’m an Everford.
That my aunt lied to me.
That Grey is my father.
Getting chased by Will.
The lies.
So many damn lies.
“Just focus on breathing.” River’s voice slips through the haze overtaking my brain.
My lungs are struggling to obtain oxygen as my heart pumps to the beat of my racing thoughts. It’s too fast—too much. I can’t think through it.
“Look at me, okay.” River laces our fingers together and places my hand against his solid chest. “Match my breathing, baby.”
I manage a nod and do as he instructs, matching the rhythm of the rise and fall of his chest.
“Good. You’re doing so good,” he encourages me as he cups my cheek with his free hand.
My breathing begins to return to even breaths. But the reality that I had a panic attack in front of everyone washes over me.
River must read this in my expression because he says, “Everything will be okay.” Then he presses his forehead againstmine. “No one here will judge you. We’ve all been there.” His voice is a hushed whisper, his breath caressing my lips.
I want to kiss him, but resist the impulse and instead, continue to focus on breathing.
Everything will be okay, River said.
At this moment it is. But it’s the future moments I’m worried about.
5
MADDISON
The rest of the ride back to the condo is mostly quiet, except when Lily tells the guys what happened tonight. She tells them the same thing she told me, and Finn lectures her for being so naïve. I feel bad for her, but at the same time, she did take a lot of risks tonight. The biggest one was getting into a car with Will.
Lily doesn’t take Finn’s lecturing well, and by the time we arrive at the condo, she’s so irritated that she attempts to storm off to her room the instant we enter the foyer of the condo.
“Lily, wait,” Finn calls out as he rushes after her.
She whirls around, her blond hair whipping around her face. “What?” she snaps, glowering at him.
Finn stands in front of her, shifting his weight and scratching his arm. “We need to talk to you.”
She raises her chin. “I’d rather not talk to anyone tonight.” She begins to leave again, but he stops her by placing his hand on her arm.
“Lily,” Finn huffs with frustration. “What we need to talk to you about… It’s about mom.”
“What about her?” she says strangely, like she’s attempting to pretend she’s clueless but isn’t.
Finn angles his head to the side. “Why do I get the feeling you already know the answer to that?”
“Why would I know it?” Lily feigns innocence.
