Page 76 of Vicious Desire (Fallen Royals 4)

“I skipped it on purpose,” I mutter. “And I’m definitely not going this year.”

“What?” Parker almost shouts. “We have to go to prom. You can take Margo!”

Margo perks up. “Exactly. There are so many dances that will be fun now that you’re a senior. The masquerade ball, for one.”

“Well, I can’t wear that dress, and…” I force a smile. “I don’t really feel like dancing.”

“This is going to totally suck, then.” Margo grabs her bag and zips it all the way closed.

“What?”

“I had a present for you, but now you’re not getting it.”

I narrow my eyes. “That’s cruel.”

She smiles.

Ugh. I grab for the bag, but she holds it out of my reach. I really hate surprises. I hate secrets—says the girl with an armful of them herself.

I sag, half turning away. Margo relaxes, and that’s when I lunge for her. She squeaks, but I get my fingers around the strap of the bag and tug it away from her.

“Am I going to hate what’s in here?” I ask, clutching it to my chest.

“Probably. Ignore my change of clothes. The white box is for you.”

Parker presses in closer. “Okay, now I’m curious.”

I pull out a slender box and toss the bag back to my bed. There is gold ribbon around the box holding it closed. Gently, I untie the bow. My muscles are clenched too hard.

I need to relax.

I lift the lid and gasp.

The mask is like butterfly wings. Brilliant gold and orange, black around the edges.

“A Monarch butterfly,” Margo says quietly. “Because no one should make you feel like you aren’t a queen.”

Tears burn my eyes. It’s the meaning more than anything that brings the lump back to my throat. God, am I going to really cry over a mask?

It’s not the mask, dummy. It’s the meaning.

“I don’t feel like a queen,” I say.

Margo presses her lips together and comes forward, wrapping me in a hug. “You will.”

In her ear, I whisper, “I can’t afford a dress.”

Her fingers grip my back, squeezing then softening.

It must be such a contrast from a year ago—the Riley who didn’t really give a fuck about the price of that black dress, because the experience was worth it. It was worth it for a while, and things had been good at home a year ago.

Mom was in remission; Dad was getting his footing in his office.

There was a lot of pressure coming at our family from a lot of different directions, and I don’t think he even minded. But then Noah had to be sent away, the bills started coming in, and Mom couldn’t leave her room. Suddenly we were drowning.

Noah.

I haven’t seen him in a while.

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