Page 131 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

“You’re so beautiful,” I murmur as I get my arm out of the jacket sleeve.

He pauses, his eyes searching mine. “Now you have me really worried.” He places a hand to my forehead, as if checking for a fever. “Jesus, you’re freezing.”

He tosses the jacket into the back and places a hand on the shifter. “Let’s get you back to the academy so you can shower and warm up.” He shifts into reverse and starts to back up.

“Wait.” I place a hand on his. “I have to go to northside—it’s where I was heading before I got jumped.”

His astounded gaze snaps to me. “No, you need to warm up. Trust me; this is bad.”

“I know, but if I don’t go to northside …” I trail off, realizing if I tell him, I’ll be outing Noah’s secret.

“What’s going on?” he hedges as raindrops splatter against the windshield.

I consider not telling him, but in the end, I know I have to.

“It’s Noah,” I start then quickly explain to him what’s been going on, minus a few details that don’t need to be told to him by me–that’s up to Noah and if he wants to.

By the time I’ve finished, shock, worry, and anger are masking River’s expression. “Why the hell is he dealing steroids? What the fuck is wrong with him?”

“Please don’t get upset with him.” My chattering has subsided, but the coldness of my wet clothes seeps deep into my body. “Until you find out the entire story.”

His lips thin as he studies me. “Is there more to it than you said?”

I lift a shoulder as I place my hands in front of the vent. “I’m sure there is—people don’t just start dealing for fun. There’s always a reason. My father did it because it was a source of money. Plus, it’s all he knew. That’s not why Noah does it, but I’m sure there’s a reason.”

He drags his fingers through his damp hair. “Maybe.” He rubs his eyes with the heels of his hands. “I’m going to go get Noah, but after I drop you off at the academy.”

“No,” I protest firmly, but my frail voice makes me sound weak at best. “They want me, River. That’s the entire point of holding him hostage.”

“Maybe, but I also know that money can persuade people to change their minds.” He carries my gaze. “This isn’t on you. This is on my stepbrother. Whatever the reason he’s dealing, he still made the choice to do it. You were just trying to help him out.”

“But I …” I trail off as he cups my face between his hands.

“I know you have this thing with feeling in debt, but money means nothing to me. You do. And it’s not worth you going down there and handing yourself over to this Aiden guy so he can give you to Drew when I can just buy him off.”

In the back of my mind, I’m aware he’s right. But another voice is screaming at me not to get into debt with a royal, even if he’s the sweetest guy I’ve ever met. I want to fight him on this and try to find an alternative solution. But, in the end, exhaustion presses down on me, and all I do is nod and whisper, “Okay.”

The tension in his shoulders unwinds as he nods then finishes pulling onto the road.

I mean to ask him what his plan is. I mean to say I’ll pay him back for helping me.

I mean to say a lot of things, but the moment I rest my head against the seat, exhaustion consumes me, and I end up falling asleep.

“Maddy, wake up,” River’s beautiful voice whispers through my thoughts.

My head lulls to the side, and I roll my eyes open. He’s leaning over me, his dark eyes are filled with worry, and rainfall can be heard from somewhere.

“You with me, baby?” he asks, brushing strands of my hair out of my eyes.

I bob my head up and down. “I think so … Where are we?” I peer around and realize I’m still in his car, but we’re no longer moving and River is standing beside the passenger side with the door open.

“We’re at the academy.” He crouches down so we’re at eye level. “I can carry you in if you need me to.”

I shake my head and force myself to sit up. “No way am I about to look weak after what those shitheads did to me.”

The muscles in his jaw tick. “I don’t want to force you to talk about what happened, but I really hope you will.”

Summoning a breath, I lean forward. “I don’t mind talking about it, but maybe after you get Noah away from Aiden.”

---