Page 25 of Royally Arranged

Thorne was entitled to the position.

But he still resisted. When I remembered his cold shoulder as he’d run away from me outside the church, it turned my stomach inside out. I’d been shocked when he’d confronted me in the cemetery tonight. I’d gone there to get some privacy ... tired of all the manipulation my family couldn’t resist taking part in.

After Thorne appeared, plucking flowers from my hair, I hadn’t wanted to be alone.

Thinking about it made my skin sizzle.

How was it possible for me to come away from what we’d done and remain so unchanged? Was it because I’d already transformed so much? Remembering the hard edges of his teeth where they’d explored my softest spots, I clutched a hand to my chest. Did he have any guess what it meant for me? Could he sense the sheer magnitude of it?

I almost ran straight into my brothers as I pushed through the doors of the hotel we were staying at. They were standing in the lobby, talking in hushed tones. Larchmont spotted me, his skin oddly shiny, like he’d been out for a jog. His face still swollen.

Thorne hadn’t managed to break my brother’s nose—and even if it was awful, I wished he had. It might have washed off some of Larch’s self-righteous elitism. Seeing them fight had been a shock for me. I was so used to my brothers having the upper hand in everything. But Thorne had held his own, he’d fought back like he was angry at something much bigger than any of them.

Larchmont nudged Richard, who turned, scanning my face.

“Why do you two look so guilty?” I asked, eyeing them up and down as I tried to get to the stairs.

Larch snorted, blocking my path. “Us? You’re the one who was gone all night. What were you doing?”

“Getting some air. Out of my way.”

Richard moved aside, but my other brother didn’t. “Slow down.” He grabbed my upper arm, squeezing me tight, keeping me from going anywhere. “Remember who you’re talking to.” He dug in until I winced in pain. The men at the front desk busied themselves, avoiding getting involved. “Don’t forget whose side you’re on, sis.”

He released me, I gingerly rubbed my skin. “I know what side I’m on.”

“Sure you do,” he said quietly, something dangerous putting an edge to his tone. “You were only crying out for Thorne, warning him in the fight, because you were trying to helpme.”

I held his stare. “Attacking him was your choice, not mine. I wasn’t going to stand there while you and Richard ruined everything.” When I slid my glare to Richard, he had the grace to turn away and stare at the floor. “It’s like you didn’t even listen to Dad.”

“I listened. I was just seeing what made that shithead so worthy of the crown.”

My eyes danced to his facial bruises. “Did you find out?”

That made his smug smile crumble. Quickly, I hurried up the stairs. He didn’t follow, and I was grateful. It was stupid to egg Larch on, but his violent urges made my skin crawl.

Behind me in the hallway came footsteps. I whirled around, ready to face off with Larchmont again. But it wasn’t him following me. “Richard?” I asked, knotting my eyebrows.

The biggest of my brothers approached. He filled the hallway, his size known to intimidate everyone. Not me, though. As awfully as I’d been treated by my family, Richard had never wielded the same cruelty.

He put his hands in his pockets. Casting a shifty glance over his shoulder, he came to stand over me. “Nova, listen. I don’t think you should be starting fights with Larch.”

My eyes narrowed. “Is that what you really wanted to talk to me about?”

His head shifted down. When he finally met my stare, his pupils were wide, his frown gentle. “I’m not oblivious. I saw the way you chased Hawthorne down the street after the funeral.”

Heat flowed up my neck.He saw that?“If Larchmont sent you to hammer the point home—”

“He didn’t.” Richard fidgeted, his large shoulders rising. “I’m here because I’m worried about you. Nova, don’t get too close to Hawthorne. Even if you might end up marrying him, we’re your family. Not him.” His features twisted. “I hate the idea of you being alone with that guy.”

The anger melted from my body. It happened too fast for me to grab it, and with it went my armor. “Richard, I get that you’re concerned. But please don’t treat me like I’m weak.”

He flinched, like he realized he was talking down to me the way my parents always did. “You’re not weak,” he started, carefully picking his words. “But after what you’ve been through ...”

“What I went through is whatmademe strong,” I said flatly. I glanced toward the wall, still speaking to him. “If you think I’m being manipulated by Thorne, you’re wrong.”

He went silent. Finally I heard him start to leave. “Regardless, I’ve got your back.” His words flowed over his shoulder just before he vanished around the corner.

It took me a while to gather myself. I was tempted to run after Richard and thank him for his concern. He’d always been quiet. If he was telling me he was worried, then he really meant it. I appreciated that—but his concern was misplaced.

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