Page 163 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

“You should show me where I’m sleeping so I can get some rest.” Not that I want to sleep. But I need a breather from his pretty eyes and fluttery words.

He eyes me suspiciously, as if sensing I’m avoiding. But in typical River politeness, he nods and leads me to a bedroom right next to his. The walls are a light shade of purple that matches the décor, the bed is massive, and the comforter is velvet. Like with the other bedrooms I’ve been in, it has its own private bathroom attached to it.

“If you need me, just knock on my bedroom door,” River tells me as I walk around, taking everything in. “When it’s actually time to go to bed, I can have Lily lend you some pajamas.”

“Is she coming here, too?” I ask, facing him.

He’s leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed. “I’m pretty certain she is. Finn, too.”

I rub my lips together. “What about Noah?”

Reluctance masks his expression. “I don’t know, Mads. He still hasn’t fully explained what happened … Why didn’t he tell us about the affair? Or why he’s been dealing drugs? He told me there’s a good reason but said he couldn’t explain why.”

I step toward him. “Maybe it’s dangerous for you to know. Trust me; I’ve had to keep a lot of things to myself over the years. Plus, he has my phone, and I’d really like to have that back.”

His lips thin as he presses them together. “Fine, I’ll invite him.” He pauses. “You’re really hard to say no to.”

“That is definitely the first time I’ve heard that,” I inform him. “I’ve been told no a lot.”

He remains silent before threading his fingers through mine. Then he brings my knuckles to his lips. “Get some rest, okay?”

And there’s that stupid fluttering sensation again.

I nod quickly, mostly so he’ll leave before I do something stupid.

Like kiss him.

He shuts the door as he exits, leaving me alone. I feel weirdly safe in this place. I’m not sure why.

Then, the moment I lay my head down on the pillow, I’m out again.

And I sleep better than I have in a really, really long time.

Maddison

Dreams are funny. My aunt once told me that the images and scenes that flood our dreamland give us insight into hidden parts of our psyche. If that’s the case, then I’ve got some dark shit locked up there. Because my dreams are filled with me running through the woods, with cloaked people chasing me, carrying bows and arrows, one of which gets shot through my chest.

When I wake up, I’m drenched in sweat, and my chest actually aches.

I blame the nightmare on the Everford name and its possible connection to me.

River said this family was hunted. I don’t know how, but apparently, my brain attempted to come up with an idea once it hit the REM cycle.

I exhale shakily as I sit up in the bed and drag my fingers through my hair. I need answers before I go crazy. I check the time on the clock and shock whips through me. It’s six o’clock in the damn morning. That means I slept for like fifteen hours. That’s crazy. But I do feel rested.

I stretch and yawn before climbing out of bed. I want to take a shower, but I don’t have any clothes. I hate the idea of waking River up. Then again, he does wake up early sometimes.

I pad over to the door, open it, and stick my head out into the hallway, only to nearly piss my pants.

River is standing on the other side with his hand lifted, as if he’s about to knock. He startles, as well, his hand falling to his side as he blinks.

“Shit, you scared me.”

“Vice versa, dude.” I press my hand to my chest where my heart is racing. “I was just going to see if you were awake.” I discreetly eye him over. He’s wearing jeans, a blue shirt, and Converse, so he’s definitely not going for a run, which is good since he got hurt the other day.

“I was doing the same thing with you. Did you sleep well? I’m guessing so since I haven’t seen you for like fifteen hours.”

“Yeah, I crashed hard. I feel rested, too, and my head is clearer.”

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