Page 90 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

Chill out, River. This isn’t a date.

I’ve never even been out on a date. My parents and Isla’s tried to force us to go on one when we were fifteen, but Finn came with us because he knew I didn’t want to go. Isla wasn’t into it, either. Part of me is relieved she doesn’t want to marry me. It gives me a drop of hope that perhaps, one day, we can figure out a solution to the problem. But that hope gets dimmer the older I get and the closer we get to the day we’ll be married.

“If you tell me, I’ll help you look for your wallet and keys,” Finn says from the doorway of my bedroom. He takes a sip of his protein shake, the corner of his lips quirking.

It’s not that I don’t want to tell him what I’m doing tonight, but he’ll make a bigger deal out of it than he should. When I check the time on my watch, though, I realize I should be heading to Maddy’s dorm already.

“Fine,” I cave, raking my fingers through my hair. “Maddy and I are hanging out tonight.”

“What?” Some of his amusement fizzles.

I’ve had a bit of suspicion that he might like Maddy, but Finn won’t ever act on it. He doesn’t date, only hooks-up, something he started doing when he was fifteen.

“Just as friends,” I feel the need to explain. “I think it’s time I told her what we learned about that necklace and maybe give her a heads-up about the society. By the way, do you have any more info about that?”

He momentarily stands there like he can’t quite figure out what I said. Then he snaps out of it. “Not really. I haven’t had much time to look into the necklace thing. And the society meeting is tonight, so I might have more information later.” He rotates the cup he’s holding between both his hands. “Where are you guys going?”

This conversation deepens my assumption about him liking her.

“To a taco truck, and then the lake.” I glance at my watch again then pat my pockets idiotically for the tenth time. “If I can ever find my wallet and keys.”

Finn scratches his wrist. “Check the sofa cushions. I was sitting on the sofa earlier, and they more than likely fell into the cracks.”

“Thanks.” I rush past him and check the cushions. Sure enough, there they are, wedged in the crack right beside the remote and an unopened granola bar. Shaking my head, I toss the remote and granola bar onto the coffee table then stuff my keys and wallet into my pocket before heading to the front door.

“Have fun!” Finn calls out as I’m opening the door. “And make sure to wrap it?—”

I close the door before he can finish that sentence. However, a guy walking by at that precise moment chokes on a laugh.

I sigh, heading toward Maddy’s dorm room, my anxiety picking up the closer I get. The corridors are surprisingly empty for it only being six o’clock. It’s about dinnertime, so many of the students are probably in the dining room.

As I’m nearing Maddy’s dorm, my phone rings. I assume it’s her, so I fish it out with this weird fluttery feeling inside my chest. But when I note the caller’s name on the screen, my mood takes a nosedive.

It’s my father. I have no clue why he’s calling, but I’m not about to take a call from him right before going out with Maddy. He’ll put me in a bad mood, and Maddy doesn’t need to deal with grumpy River, as she so nicely nicknamed me.

I silence the call and am not surprised when the phone vibrates and announces he left a voicemail. I ignore it as I stop in front of Maddy’s dorm room. I knock then hold my breath, waiting for her to answer. The door swings open and?—

“Hey, big bro.” Lily is the one to answer. She’s grinning as she crosses her arms. “What’re you doing here?”

I grow fidgety. “Why do I get the feeling you already know the answer?”

“Because I do.” Her grin widens. “How does it feel to be going on your very first date?”

“It’s not a date,” I say flatly.

“So you and Maddy keep saying, but then I found out you’re going up to the lake, and we all know why people go up there.” Her grin is beyond annoying.

“Is Maddy here?” I ask, glancing behind her and noting the empty living room.

“Yes, she is!” Maddy calls out. “She’s coming! She just can’t find her wallet.”

I press back a smile at the fact that I was struggling with the same issue minutes ago. “Have you checked the couch cushions?”

“Good idea.” Her voice floats across the room.

And then I see her.

She walks hastily into the living room, making a beeline for the sofa. My breath catches in my throat at the sight of her long legs in those tights she wore the first day I saw her at the academy. Although it wasn’t the first time I saw her. That was while we were in jail.

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