Page 25 of Royals
“Well, that was fun,” I start to say, but Miles is looking somewhere above my head, a muscle ticking in his jaw.
Then his eyes meet mine. “So,” he says. “Did that go as you’d hoped?”
Chapter 12
I stare at him, so shocked I actually make a noise, this sort ofhuhngh?sound that’s way too loud in the quiet hallway. When I can actually find my voice again, it’s to squawk out, “Did you miss the part where he was inmyroom? Like, he came there himself. He just showed up like a posh vampire I accidentally invited in, then couldn’t make leave.”
Miles frowns, and I roll my eyes.
“Look at me.” I spread my arms out to both sides, letting Miles take in the insanity of what I’m wearing. “Is this what girls usually wear to seduce princes in Scotland? I mean, I know it’s cold here, and maybe after years of an all-boys school those of you who are straight aren’t all that picky, so I guess it’spossibleforty-seven layers of pajamas are a real turn-on.”
By now, Miles has pulled himself up so straight and tall that I think he might actually be creaking. His arms are down at his sides, chin lifted, and I don’t know if they teach this type of arrogance at whatever fancy school he goes to with Seb, but if they do, he’s clearly aced his How to Be a Total Dick class.
“Honestly, I was giving you points for originality,” he says, one corner of his mouth quirking in a near smirk. He nods at my plaid pants. “And for staying on theme.”
I snort. “Are you this paranoid about every girl who comes into Seb’s orbit?” I ask. And then something occurs to me.
Dropping my arms and my attitude, I lean closer to him. “Wait... are you into Seb?”
That actually seems to surprise some of the permafrost right off him, because Miles blinks and takes a step back, looking—for just a second—like an actual teenage boy and not someone about to order a beheading.
“Into... no.” He shakes his head, and ah, there it is, the crusty layer reforming itself.
“No,” he repeats, pushing his shoulders back a little. “I’m notjealous. I just don’t want to see Seb dragged into your particular scheme.”
Parting my lips, I shake my head, totally confused. “I have no idea—” I start, and then I remember what Seb said in my room.
About Michael.
About that stupid interview.
“Ohhhhh my god,” I say, putting my hands on either side of my head. “You givemecrap for knowing gossip, but you guys are, like, drooling over TMZ?”
He has the grace to look just a little bit chagrined, but he lifts his chin and goes for haughty again.
“You’re hardly the first girl to throw over one boy and set her cap for Seb,” he says, and I would absolutely mock him for saying something like “set her cap,” but he’s still going. “And that’s the last thing he needs right now.”
“Why?” I ask. “I mean, trust me, I’m not interested in Seb no matter what the internet told you, but why would me and Seb be such a disastrous thing?”
When he doesn’t answer, I press a hand to my chest, gasping with faux shock. “Is it because I’m... American?”
Miles scowls.
“Or wait, it’s because I don’t have a nickname, isn’t it?” I give an exaggerated frown. “Maybe one day, I, too, can have a bevy of stupid things people call me instead of my own name,Monters, but alas, I am nickname deficient.” Sighing, I let my shoulders rise and fall, and now Miles rolls his eyes atme.
“Just stay away from him,” he says, and honestly, I’d take Spiffy and Dons and their stupid kilts and dancing over this jerk any day.
“Maybe tellhimto stay away fromme. And I’ll find my way back to my room on my own,” I reply before marching down the hallway in what I think is the general direction of my room.
He doesn’t follow, thank goodness, and as I stomp past hall tables and portraits and one truly enormous clock, I try to get my temper under control. But seriously, who does that guy think he is? He doesn’t evenknowme, but one stupid interview with my stupid ex-boyfriend has him convinced I’m scheming to land a prince for myself. Which... no thank you. Ellie can do all the ribbon cutting she wants, I’m gonna take a hard pass on the royal life.
And seriously, if he’s been Seb’s friend for so long, doesn’t heknowhis friend is a disaster of a human? Why not talk tohim?
Unless that’s treason?
Maybe that’s treason.
My feet touch a stone floor, cold even through my socks, and I stop, suddenly looking around me. I’m in another hallway, this one lined with... I don’t remember seeing this part of the castle before.
