Page 23 of The Royal Flame
“Yeah, I’m not,” she divulges. “I feel like an idiot.” She elevates her gaze to me. “And because of my dumb mistake, I’ve brought more drama into your life.”
I laugh hollowly. “My life always has too much drama, Lily. Nothing you did tonight made that any worse.”
“But Will said that thing about your aunt that upset you.”
“I was already upset about my aunt being missing.”
She stares down at her hands. “I always mess things up, and my brothers always have to bail me out. Now I’m doing the same thing to you.”
“Not all of this is your fault. Things wouldn’t have gotten so bad if I hadn’t poked at Will.” That’s probably not true, but she doesn’t need to know that. “I think from now—and this is totally just a suggestion—but I think staying away from north side guys might be a good idea. Trust me, I’m from north side, and I don’t even want to deal with them. I mean, they’re not all bad. But the ones that are, are so awful.”
“Royals are just as bad,” she points out. “Think about what happened with the society.”
She has a point.
“Well, then I’ll do the same and stay away from royal guys.”
She shakes her head and leans back on her hands. “No way. You and River are so perfect for each other.”
“I don’t know if we’re perfect for each other,” I argue. “We’re from two different worlds.”
“So? That doesn’t mean you can’t be perfect for each other. Even with that difference, you guys still have a lot in common. And my brother has never, ever gone against this arranged marriage until now. That means something.”
I press my lips together, unsure if I want to deal with the complexity of her words. “How about this? For the most part, I’ll stay away from Royal guys—at least the ones you tell me to. And you can stay away from north side guys unless you want to be set up with one by me. Just know I don’t know a ton of great guys that are from there, but if that’s really the route you want to go, I’ll do my best.”
“Deal. But I really don’t want to date right now.” She leans forward and sweeps a strand of her hair out of her face. “There’s way too much going.”
“I know. And I want to ask about your mom, but I also don’t want to push you about it.”
“I can’t say much. And I don’t know the entire story. I just know that from the last time we spoke, my mom told me she’d be okay when she left and for me to not worry.”
“Are you worried?”
“I’m trying not to, but without all the details, it’s complicated.” She pauses. “Your aunt’s missing too?” she asks, and I nod. “That’s kind of an odd coincidence.”
“It is.” I consider what the connection could be.
River’s mother warned him not to date me; that doing so would start a war. How did she know about me, though? Simply because of whispers amongst the Royals? Or is there more to it than that?
The question plagues my mind as I say goodnight to Lily and head to River’s room across the hallway. I knock on the door and then chew on my bottom lip as I wait for him to answer.
When he does, I have to sink my teeth into my bottom lip harder.
A freshly showered River stands before me, his dark hair a damp, tousled mess, and the scent of his rain-kissed soap wafts off him. He’s wearing pajama bottoms, a blue T-shirt, and a beautiful smile is on his face.
“Hey.” A bit of nervousness flutters off him as he opens the door for me.
I walk in, and he shuts the door behind me. When he remains quiet, I turn around to find him leaning against the door, gripping the doorknob, and anxiously eyeing me.
“You’re nervous.” I step toward him. “What’s up with that?”
“No, I’m not,” he insists, but his grip on the doorknob suggests otherwise. When I cock a brow at him, he sighs. “Fine. I’m a little nervous about you being in my room.”
I’m taken aback. “I’ve been in your room before.”
“I know, but…” He releases the doorknob and yanks his fingers through his hair. “You’re here in your pajamas, and I’m in mine, and there’s my bed…”
I snort a laugh. “Just because we’re in our pajamas doesn’t mean we’re going to do anything.”
