Page 92 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

“You’re fine,” I assure her. “Honestly, it’s kind of refreshing.”

“That I just waved your demising future in your face?” she questions warily.

“You didn’t wave it in my face. You just told the truth how you saw it.” I shift my weight. “Usually, people tiptoe around it or talk about it when they don’t get it. There’s so many people in the royal world who have things handed to them. Yet I just feel like you get it, like you understand what it’s like to be facing a future you don’t want.”

“I do—trust me. Even before I came here, I wasn’t completely thrilled by where I was heading. But it was a plan. Still, it was connected to northside, which is connected to my parents. And I don’t want to be connected to them anymore, because if I let them into my life, they’ll ruin my future.” She pauses. “I feel like yours might be the same way, just in a different way, if that makes any sense.”

“It makes complete sense.” We start down the stairs again. “I don’t blame my mother. My father is a dominant man and bulldozes over her all the time, even after the divorce.”

She trails her fingers along the railing as she takes each step. “You know, I’ve never understood how men like that even get women?”

“Because they’re powerful, rich, and are used to getting what they want.”

“But why do women fall for that?”

“Don’t ask me. I’ve never understood what women see in my father. He’s a total condescending ass.”

“What about your mom?” she asks as we reach the bottom of the stairs.

I get a full view of the group of people, and tension rolls through my body. Some of them are society members, including Eli, a total asshole. I’m fairly positive he’s caused some drama for Lily, but she refuses to tell me the details. If I ever find out what he did to her is terrible, he’ll get his ass kicked.

“What about her?” I’m distracted now by Eli and the reminder of the society and also what I’ll be telling Maddy tonight.

“What’s she like?”

“Um …”

“River?” Maddy waves a hand in front of my face, causing me to jolt.

When I blink at her, she’s staring at me with a quizzical line between her brows. I’ve stopped walking and am not even aware of it. Plus, my attention is glued on Eli.

“Why are you staring at him?” she asks, hitching her thumb over her shoulder at where Eli is.

He’s watching us now, and the trace of a smile on his lips makes annoyance prickle through my veins.

“It’s nothing.” I start walking again, keeping my eyes trained ahead.

Maddy follows and sinks into silence, the sound of our shoes scuffing against the asphalt filling up the awkward tension. I’m not even sure why things got so awkward. I could just let it remain that way—I’m good at that—but Maddy is different.

“I’m sorry,” I finally say while glancing at her.

“For what?” she replies in an emotionless tone.

“For being vague and weird.” I slip my hand into my pocket to dig my keys out. “I’m not used to hanging out with people that much, and when I do, Finn says I have issues with being a douchebag.”

“You weren’t being a douchebag. I just feel like you’re keeping a secret from me. I could be being paranoid—I’m naturally wary —but …” She wavers. “Lily told me that Eli is a bad guy.”

“He is.” I push a button on the key fob, and the lights of my car flash twice. “Lily’s never told anyone what happened between them, but I have theories, and if I ever get confirmation that those theories are correct, the guy’s going to get his ass beat.”

“Finn was hanging out with him that day I saw him disappear while he was in the library. Like straight-up vanished.” She stuffs her hands into the pockets of her jacket.

I press her with a look. “Not out here, okay?” I whisper.

Since I’m telling her the truth tonight, I might as well tell her that. It’s risky, but I trust Maddy enough that I doubt she’ll tell anyone.

I’m rewarded with a small smile. Then she strolls over to the passenger side of my car, eyeing it.

“You guys and your cars.” She bites on her bottom lip as I move up beside her. “It feels almost wrong that I’m getting in it.”

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