Page 147 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

Dammit, I didn’t mean to bring this up.

Way to put your foot in your mouth, Maddy.

“It’s nothing really.” I’m as casual as I can be about it. “I just don’t know where my phone is, because … well, either it fell out of my pocket yesterday when I was getting dragged into the trees, or they took it while I was passed out.”

The corners of his pretty lips tug down into an even deeper frown. “I don’t like the casual way you’re talking about your attack. It worries me that maybe you’re in shock.” He pulls me to a stop in front of a stone water fountain and places his hand against my forehead. “Or is it because of the concussion?”

I can’t help but smile. “Do you think you can feel the concussion?” I tease.

He gives me a tolerant look but doesn’t remove his hand. Then he trails his fingers down to my cheek. “No, smartass. But I’m worried maybe it’s messing with your mind a bit.”

“It’s not,” I assure him, resisting the urge to lean into his touch, no matter how desperately I want to. “Honestly, this kind of crap is pretty typical for me.”

The crease between his brows deepens. “You’re used to getting taken by”—he lowers his voice—“a secret society.”

I shake my head. “No, but I’m used to being at risk for getting robbed, assaulted, and jumped by people who are after my father.”

“Right.” His frown is so deeply etched into his face that I almost want to kiss him to remove it.

Thank God, I don’t.

I think …

He slips his fingers up my cheek and into my hair. For a guy who’s never really dated, he sure knows how to use his touch to make me feel as if I’m being kissed everywhere.

“You don’t have to worry about that anymore,” he promises, his gaze carrying mine. “Drew’s paid off. And we’ll figure everything else out.”

“You keep saying we,” I murmur, my pulse thudding as his fingers drift to the side of my neck. “I already told you I don’t want you to take on my problems. They’re mine. Not yours?—”

He fucking kisses me. Just like that. Without warning and taking me by surprise.

When he pulls back, I can barely breathe evenly, my chest rising and crashing. And for a wind-kiss of an instant, I stand motionless, stunned into silence, my lips tingling from the feel of his.

But then I pull my head out of my ass.

“Did you seriously just kiss me to shut me up?” I accuse with an arch of my brow.

He offers me a remorseful look. “I’m sorry, but I wish you’d realize I want to help you.”

“And you thought kissing me would make me realize that? Or was it just to keep me quiet?” I give him a challenging look.

He sinks his teeth into his bottom lip and pauses for a beat. “Actually, I’ve wanted to kiss you since I found you in the woods yesterday, because I was so fucking relieved to see you. But I also knew that it definitely wasn’t the time to do it.” He swallows hard, his hand in mine stiffening. He releases a breath as he stares down at the ground. “I was so damn scared when I saw your location that I could barely think clearly.” He elevates his gaze to mine. “And it’s all my fault.”

I’m taken back by that. “What? No, it’s not. How could it be?”

“Because …” He summons a deep breath. “Come with me to my dorm, and I’ll tell you what happened?”

Perhaps I should be worried, considering what he’s saying. I’m not. I’ve been around a lot of awful, sketchy people in my life, so I can pick up on bad vibes. River doesn’t have any at all. He’s a good guy. That much I do know.

He’s also a fantastic kisser. That’s something I wish I didn’t know.

I’ve never fallen for a guy before, so I’m no expert on how it feels, but as River and I wander toward the domed entrance doors of the academy, I can’t seem to let go of his hand.

And it’s weirding me out.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asks as we step into the hallway and the door swings closed behind us.

“Yeah, totally.” I sound like a dumbass. But I’m twitchy. And uneasy. I feel entirely out of my element.

---