Page 51 of Broken Princess

I'm lost in my thoughts as I make my way through the academy to the library. It's a place I often go to clear my head, if only because no one would ever expect me to be there, but even that isn't working today.

I bump into someone as I turn a corner, cursing under my breath when I realize it's Stefan.

Of course it is.

Under any other circumstances, I would be eager to run into him, literally or figuratively. Doesn't really matter. The time I've had away, though, has been enough to convince me that I can't kill him no matter how much I want to.

Not just because it would be igniting a war between our families.

I honestly don't care half as much about that as I should. It's because of Amelia. Because this is the guy she chose, for whatever reason, and I can't just take him away from her.

And I really, really want to.

That alone is kind of a mystery. In all my life, I've never cared enough about what someone else needed to give up what I wanted. Definitely not the most important thing I've ever held in my hands.

Is this what it really means to love someone? Giving up what you want because they deserve better?

If so, it sucks. But I’ve always figured that.

"Lorenzo," he says, looking like he thinks I'm going to deck him at any moment. And usually, he'd be right to be concerned.

"Stefan," I reply evenly, stepping around him and continuing on my way.

I guess he officially transferred to the academy if he's still here.

Great.

It's bad enough seeing Amelia around all the time, but now I have to see him, too. I have to see them together. The thought makes me sick.

"Hey, wait," he calls after me, and I turn back reluctantly. "I know you're pissed at me right now, and I don't blame you. But can we talk? I think we need to."

I shrug. "Fine. Say whatever you want."

He clears his throat. "I know this is not exactly an ideal scenario. I hate you, and I'm pretty sure you hate me even more."

"Oh, that's a definite," I say, slipping my hands into my pockets. I really should have just gone home. This is a waste of time.

"But Amelia loves you," he continues, as if that changes anything. "She always has, and I think she always will."

I scoff. "Love is not enough, Stefan. It's never been enough. The fact that you're marrying her is proof of that."

He looks surprised by my words. "How did you know that?"

"It's obvious," I answer. "And I'm still engaged to her sister. Remember?"

"Oh, right," he murmurs, running a hand through his hair. "Well, that's kind of what I wanted to talk about. You're marrying Kayleigh, and I'm marrying Amelia. That makes us family, or at least, we will be, whether either of us likes it or not."

I grimace. It’s really hard to remember why I can't put this guy's head through a wall right now. "Don't remind me."

"I know this is hard for you," he continues. "But I think we need to find a way to at least be civil to each other. For Amelia's sake."

I raise an eyebrow. "And here I thought I was being civil by not beating the shit out of you."

He smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "Touché. But can we try to do better than that?"

I study him for a minute, trying to decide if he's serious or not. I really don't think he is, but I'll play along for the time being. It's not like I've got anything better to do, and if nothing else, I'll be able to keep an eye on him.

"You want to do better?" I ask, taking a step forward.

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