Page 77 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

Me: It’ll get better. I promise. If it makes you feel any better, I just got done taking an ice bath, and I feel like I’m about to die.

Maddy: If it doesn’t get better, I’m never taking your advice again. Just kidding. Sort of …

She’s so feisty. I think I like that about her. I never thought that’s what I’d be drawn to, since I’m mostly quiet. But the way she smarts off sometimes …

I shake my head as it begins to veer down Lustful Thoughts Lane. Then I quickly dry off and get dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt before styling my hair. I have class in about half an hour, which means I have a bit of time to work on researching into this dead bloodline. I feel bad that I haven’t told her anything about that yet. At the same time, I don’t want to stress her out if it turns out to be nothing.

I’ve spent the last handful of days looking into the family and trying to figure out how their bloodline ceases to exist. But someone has gone through a lot of trouble to ensure that no one finds that out. All of the books available online, ones that have information about family bloodlines, have pages missing from them. I have an inkling this is intentional, but why? What happened to the Everfords was terrible.

I collect my laptop from my desk and get situated on my bed. Then I open the tab that has an article I was skimming through late last night. But, once again, nothing comes of it. It truly does feel as if someone has wiped the internet clean of this mystery.

I waver, chewing on my bottom lip. Finn said Maddy didn’t appear to know anything about this, but what if she does? And even if she doesn’t, I believe I need to tell her everything I know, not just about this but also with the society targeting her.

I collect my phone and send her a message.

Me: Hey, do you want to hang out tonight?

Maddy: Are you trying to be my bestie again?

I can’t help smiling. I can picture her sitting on her bed, reading the message with a smile on her face, her eyes lit up, so beautiful …

Me: Yeah, I was thinking we could go to dinner and then for a drive. Not on the northside, obviously. But maybe near the lake or something.

Maddy: Sounds like the perfect place for you to murder me.

Me: Why would I want to murder you???

Maddy: ’Cause I’m gonna gripe every time you make me do hill climbs.

Me: You’ll get used to it. And no, I’d never want to murder you. I like you too much.

She doesn’t respond right away. And when I reread my message, I realize I got kind of weird by telling her I like her.

Maddy: We can hang out, but the place we eat has to be cheap. I’m talking like tacos for two for a dollar or something. Like from a taco truck.

Me: I’d say I could pay, but I know how that’ll go.

Maddy: Look at you, catching on to my ways. ;)

I’m smiling again. It’s not normal for me and feels weird, but I let it be.

Me: I’ve never actually eaten at a taco truck before.

Maddy: I didn’t want to stereotype and assume so, but I kind of did. I promise it’s good.

Me: I guess I’ll find out. I’ll pick you up at six.

Maddy: Sounds good. See ya then.

I set my phone down, scoot the edge of my bed, and rake my fingers through my hair. I’m nervous about telling Maddy what I know, but I think what makes me even more anxious is that spark of excitement in my chest that I feel over knowing I’ll be spending time with her tonight.

I made a vow a long time ago that I can’t fall for anyone. If I do, it’ll only result in heartache. And I can’t do that to myself, or to Maddy.

Maddison

I’m not going to lie; River has intrigued me. I feel like there’s more to why we’re hanging out tonight than he’s telling me. Like maybe he’s surprising me with another practice run. It kind of seems crazy, considering how hard we ran earlier this morning. But maybe he really does just want to hang out at a taco truck with me.

I snort a laugh as I picture River eating food from a taco truck—not that it’s bad food. Some of the best food I’ve eaten is from a truck. But River hasn’t, and I’m not shocked at all. My bet is he probably hasn’t even eaten fast food.

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