Page 2 of Vicious Desire (Fallen Royals 4)

“Dr. Penn said I should try something new, and…” He shrugs. “Cooking is supposed to be good.”

“If you don’t kill us.” I offer him a smile and slide the window open. It’s brisk outside, and my cheeks are getting hot. “Where did you find this stuff?”

Boxes of rices line the counter along with bottles of mixed spices and soy sauce.

I peer over his shoulder, eyeing the browning broccoli.

“Jeez, Ri. You stink.”

I elbow him. “Pretty sure that’s the food, dumbass.”

“Yeah, maybe.” He grins.

I hop onto the counter. It’s been a while since he and I have had the chance to really talk, and now seems as good a time as any.

If we were in a different universe, he’d be at Yale, studying for some fancy bachelor’s degree. And I… well, I’d still be here.

“Earth to Riley,” Noah says, pinching my thigh.

I swat him away. “What?”

“You get a weird look in your eye sometimes.”

I sigh. “I was just imagining what it would be like to have a brother who cooked edible food.”

But in reality, my mind goes down a different path: what it would be like if my brother wasn’t here at all.

“You can talk to me, you know.” He clears his throat. “After what happened this summer…”

“It’s fine.” I jump down and force myself to smile. “I’m going to shower. Save some of that slop for me.”

I can already guarantee that Mom is in bed, and Dad will be out late.

It’s a pattern. Everything goes along the same tracks, circling the same conversations, late nights, fights. We can’t fight it any more than we can fight Gram’s so-called magic, which I’m pretty sure is fate’s evil cousin.

I’m halfway naked when my phone rings, buzzing against the bathroom counter.

Margo.

“Long time no see,” I say.

My chest goes all weird and tight again.

“How did it go?” she asks. “Did you—”

“Get your postcard? Yes.” I sit on the edge of the tub and rest my head on my hand. “I think the tryout went well. I ran home just to blow off steam.”

She hums. “It’s going to be great. And school?”

I swallow. “Apparently Jackie is the new captain of the cheerleading team. She seems comfortable on her pedestal.”

Jackie was my friend once upon a time, along with a few other cheer girls—including Amelie and Savannah. We haven’t spoken since sophomore year.

Margo sighs. “You should try to make friends. When do you find out if you made the—”

“Cross-country team?” I pick at my nails. “Yeah, they offered me a spot. Everyone is kind of cold.”

“Riley Appleton, when have you ever not done something because the people were a little cold?” Margo demands. “You love running. You love running so much, but you hid from it all last year. I’m still upset I didn’t find out about it until this summer.”

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