Page 46 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

“Barely,” I mumble as I trudge across the room. “I feel like I may have died last night and been resurrected.”

“So, you’re saying you’re a vampire?”

“No way. I feel more along the lines of a zombie right now.”

She snorts a laugh as she rises to her feet. “I’m sorry. I feel like this is my fault for basically making you go to the party.”

“You’re fine. I’m the one who chose to drink.”

“Still, I feel like I shouldn’t have taken off at the party and left you. And with Finn. I mean, I love my brother to death, but he likes to drink and party.”

“Lily, I swear it’s fine. It’s not Finn’s fault. It’s no one’s fault but my own.”

She doesn’t appear convinced as she gathers her book and a bag that’s sitting on the coffee table. “I have to leave for this yoga class Wren and I are taking, but I’ll be back in like an hour. If you need anything at all, text me, okay?”

I nod, even though I won’t, and she starts for the door, throwing me a wave.

When she exits, I note that the message that was written on the door last night is gone.

Did Lily get it cleaned up? Or was it River? Probably the latter since Lily didn’t mention it to me. I feel like an ominous message on the door is going to be on the conversation agenda list.

I wish I’d have at least gotten a photo of it, because I feel like it needs to be looked into. Unless it wasn’t for me …

I’m pretty sure it was, though.

I’ll talk to River about it when I see him again, after I apologize for him having to take care of my pathetic ass last night.

I remain in the shower for longer than I should, desperate to scrub off last night’s events. I wash my hair then climb out, dry off, and get dressed. I brush my teeth way longer than required. By the time I’m finished, I feel a tad bit better and am even slightly hungry. Food will have to come later because I need to get to class.

I’m heading toward the door with my bag slung over my shoulder—my laptop in it—when someone knocks. I tense. Getting grabbed last night and the message on my door has me on edge.

Hesitantly, I open the door.

River is standing on the other side. He’s wearing a pair of baggy sweatpants, a T-shirt, along with sneakers. He also has what looks like a to-go box in his hand.

His gaze fleetingly sweeps across me. “You’re alive?” he jokes.

“Barely. I told Lily I think I died and came back as a zombie.”

His lips quirk. “You did basically puke your brains out last night.”

Guilt and embarrassment weave through me. “I’m so sorry. I feel like an idiot.”

He grows serious as he shakes his head. “You don’t need to apologize. Everyone’s gotten too drunk at least one time in their life.”

“I know, but how many people have gotten too drunk in their life and made some guy, who barely knows them, take care of them while they yakked their guts out.”

“You didn’t make me,” he stresses. “In fact, you told me to leave like a dozen times.”

I fidget, crossing my arms. “Why didn’t you, then?”

He shrugs. “Because you were sick and could barely hold your head up. I wouldn’t leave someone like that—ever.” He pauses, and a trace of amusement glitters in his eyes. “And while I saw things last night that will probably haunt my nightmares, I’m glad you seem semi-okay now.”

I shake my head while biting back a smile. “So, you have a joking side to you? Again, you surprise me, River Averson.”

His brows knit, as if he didn’t realize he had been joking with me. Then he hastily clears his throat. “So, I brought you a burger. Whenever Finn gets trashed, he likes to eat burgers because he says the grease makes his stomach feel better.” He hands me the to-go box.

I take it from him, looking from the box to him. “You brought me food?” I ask, flabbergasted. No one has ever done something like this for me, and my mind doesn’t even know how to process it.

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