Page 131 of Wicked Games (Fallen Royals 2)

I’m caught entirely in his web.

...and then reality returns. The game. The party. And tomorrow.

He catches my face in his hands. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Disappear again.”

I shrug. “I’m not.”

“You won’t,” he corrects.

Bossy as ever.

“Say it.”

I roll my eyes. “I won’t disappear again.”

He squints at me. “No matter what happens tomorrow. No matter what happens with my family, or our past.” He shakes his wrist, drawing my attention to the bracelet. “You promised.”

I smile, running my finger over his bracelet. The fact that he wears it openly, unashamed, makes my heart sing. “I did promise.”

He kisses me once more. “Good. Let’s go have some fun.” He looks down at his lap, where we’re still connected.

“Unless you want to skip the game and do more of this?” I ask hopefully.

He laughs. “If I don’t make an appearance, people will talk.”

I grunt. “Not the worst thing in the world.”

I climb off him and throw myself back into the passenger seat. He hands me my bra, then takes care of the condom. Once we’re both more put-together, he winks and drives back out onto the road.

Lion’s Head, here we come.

Why does it feel like we’re about to walk into the enemy’s lair?

33

Margo

King Caleb has returned to his throne.

At least, that’s what it feels like.

Lion’s Head is like a castle. More ancient than Emery-Rose, with four towers on each corner. The whole place is made of brick with ivy crawling up its sides, black-framed windows. Even the driveway that snakes past the school and a few fields feels old. The football field in the back, though, is new. Crisp, white-painted lines. Bleachers on either side and a small building manned by two adults selling food and drinks. It’s a giant campus abutting a state reservation, and it’s much more peaceful than I would’ve guessed.

Caleb keeps me tucked next to him as countless people approach him from the top of the bleachers. He slaps guys’ hands, waves off girls. Smiles and jokes. He’s charming, which shocks the hell out of me. I don’t know why I expected grunts and stares, which is what most people usually get out of him.

He squeezes my arm, and I’m reminded of the last time we did this. The first and only time we did this. It didn’t really end well...

I let my head rest against his shoulder. We came prepared in winter gear. Ian wasn’t exactly thrilled to let Riley and me into his house to change, but Eli barged past him, Riley right behind.

Riley and I giggled to each other, shrugging out of the white uniform t-shirts and the dark skirts, putting on skin-tight black leggings and gold shirts she found at the mall. Mine shimmers like silk, and hers had a rough, purposefully ripped vibe. The outfits weren’t for the game—it’s too cold for that—but for the afterparty. We painted on makeup and fixed our hair, and finally we were ready.

An impatient Ian stood by the door, periodically checking his watch.

Caleb and Eli thundered down the stairs, decked out in black and gold, and we were off.

---