Page 46 of Evil Queen

It might have given me pride if I didn’t feel so empty inside.

“Nikki.” The Royal Court stood aside, and Nathan was standing there, staring back at me. “I can explain.”

Jaxon walked over and stood between Nathan and me, facing me. “Are you listening to him?”

I looked over Jaxon’s shoulder at Nathan, biting the inside of my cheek to hold back the lump of emotions gathering in my throat. “No. I’m not.”

Nathan took a step forward. “Nikki, please.”

In a swift movement, Jaxon whipped out his switchblade and flipped it in Nathan’s direction. No one in The Royal Court even jumped at the movement, and Alistair quietly grumbled, “Same.”

Jaxon braced a hand on my back and motioned me forward, and I passed Nathan by with Jaxon keeping him at bay. I didn’t even look in his direction. Once I was far enough ahead, Jaxon followed after me, and we stayed side-by-side as we walked out of the school. I managed to keep my cool until we were standing next to my car, but then, everything clamored over all at once.

I collapsed against Jaxon’s chest, sobbing harder than I had since I was a child, and Jaxon held me close and rubbed my back. It felt like someone was physically chiseling pieces of my heart away.

“I can’t believe it,” I whimpered. “I can’t believe he chose her.”

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