Page 23 of Wicked Games (Fallen Royals 2)

I shrug. “Something like that.”

“Meet me in the greenhouse before lunch.”

I shake her loose. “Isn’t that place kind of obvious?”

She flips her hair back. “Isn’t the library a little obvious of you?”

Fair.

I follow her into the hallway. She goes toward Ian’s room, and I eye the stairs. Lenora’s and Robert’s voices are clearer now, but I can’t pick up the anger. Not yet. I force myself to go closer, perching on a step halfway down.

“She was scared,” Ian says.

“We appreciate the explanation,” Robert says, “but we’d like to see her.”

Someone sighs.

“Margo!” Ian’s voice is shockingly loud. His head pops around the corner. He’s not surprised at my closeness, and he smirks. “Ah, listening in?”

“Shut up,” I mumble. I hoist myself up and pass him, walking right up to Lenora and Robert. They seem the worse for wear. They look how I feel. “I’m sorry my mom killed your daughter.”

They stare at me for a second, then Lenora steps forward, drawing me into a hug. She bursts into tears.

My arms hang at my sides. Her reaction is…

Unexpected.

She holds me like I might evaporate.

“We were so worried,” she says in my ear. “Thank God you’re okay. And you’re here. And—”

“Let her breathe, Len,” Robert interrupts.

She steps back, keeping her hands on my shoulders.

I didn’t get a chance to hug her back. I’m sure I have a stupid expression, because I was expecting them to tell me that I was leaving.

Anger.

Hate.

“Margo,” Robert says. “Your mother’s actions don’t define you. And they certainly don’t define us.” He exhales. “We feel horrible that you overheard Caleb.”

I feel horrible, too. Like my gut has gone through a blender.

“It doesn’t change anything,” Lenora says. Her hands push and pull my shoulders, so light I don’t think she realizes she’s doing it.

—head snapping back—

I cringe.

She releases me, eyes wide. “Honey—”

“Thank you.” I’m desperate to recover from that misstep. “Does that mean…?”

“We’re taking you home,” Robert finishes.

I manage to smile.

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