Page 144 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

Dragging my butt up, I go into my room and change into a pair of loose jeans and a baggy T-shirt. I pull my hair into a high ponytail, slip on my sneakers, then grab my wallet. I’m lucky I didn’t have it on me yesterday, but I don’t have my phone, and I have no clue when I’ll have enough money to purchase a new one.

What the hell am I going to do? Lily is helping me get that job waitressing for the event planner her mom knows, but how am I supposed to stay connected with her if I don’t have a phone? I want to bang my head on the wall. Maybe later. Right now, I need to catch the next bus so I can move on from this.

As I’m exiting the room, River is about to knock. He startles, lowering his hand and blinking a few times

“Shit, you scared me.” He shifts his weight. “I was about to knock.”

“Yeah, I got that.” I step out and shut the door, only realizing as it clicks shut that I have no way of getting back inside.

His eyes scroll over me. “Are you going to class?”

“No.” I note he’s changed into a pair of dark jeans, a gray shirt, and thick books. His hair is styled, and the way he stares at me makes my chest annoyingly fluttery. “Are you?”

“I don’t have classes today.” He slips his hands into his pockets. “Look, I know you’re upset with me because I paid Drew off—and I really am trying to understand why you’re upset with me about it—but I’m also worried about you … I know you said you didn’t want to go to a doctor, but?—”

“I’m going to one,” I cut him off as I start down the hallway.

He follows me. “Oh … That’s good.” He gives a short pause. “Are you going to the one on campus?”

I slow to a stop, and he does, too.

“There’s one on campus?”

He nods, sweeping his fingers through his hair. “It’s a free clinic.”

“I didn’t know they had one. I guess I can just go to that one. Where is it?”

He chews on his bottom lip. “My family’s private doctor is the best in the city. Are you sure you don’t?—”

“Yes, I’m sure,” I answer before he can even finish. “Can you please show me where the clinic is?”

He smashes his lips together for a beat. Then he nods before starting forward again, heading toward main office.

The hallways are relatively empty, but a few people are lingering around, watching River and me.

“I thought everyone would stop staring by now,” I mumble as I hug my arms around myself.

“It’s because we’re dating,” he reminds me of our fake dating agreement.

Speaking of which … “Why did I get targeted by, well, you know?” I say quietly to avoid being overheard. “Did you find anything out from Finn?”

He hesitates then tension fills his body as he scans the hallway. “I did, but let’s talk about it after you get looked at, okay? And in a more private setting.”

He’s right. I know it, but I wish we could talk about it now.

I reluctantly tell him, “Okay.”

He falls silent for a bit, his gaze glued to the floor. “I don’t know if you still want to fake date me, but if so, maybe I should hold your hand since people are staring.” He lifts his gaze to mine.

Right. But the point of fake dating was to protect me from the society, and that clearly didn’t work.

“I know what you’re thinking,” River says under his breath. “But I promise it’s better if we still do it.” He offers me his hand, silently asking me if I trust him.

I don’t trust easily, but he saved me a few times. And while I refuse to be a damsel in distress, I’m so grateful he found me yesterday. So, I take his hand.

A relieved breath eases from his lips as he threads his fingers through mine.

We continue the walk, holding hands and attempting to ignore the amount of attention we’re drawing. In order to get to the clinic, we have to exit the main building and hike across the grass that stretches past the track and to a building located near the back of the campus, near the trees. The building is an ancient, brick-like structure that has been nicely renovated. Above the double-door entrance is a sign that reads, “Royal Academy Clinic.”

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