Page 35 of Royally Arranged

This was a very,verygood spot I’d picked to stand at.

She glanced around, but it wasn’t with the same curiosity I’d had. As if she’d been in many castles and they bored her now. As if she’d been inthiscastle before.

Behind her came Darla, Richard, and their mother. Then Larchmont. He walked with a swagger. I was pleased to see the purplish bruise lingering by the bridge of his nose almost a week after our fight. He, too, gazed around like he didn’t care where he was.

He bent low, whispering to Nova. My hands crushed the banister. Nova frowned, moving away from him and vanishing down the east wing. The others followed her, the only audible noise Larchmont’s cringe-inducing laughter as it echoed around the wide foyer.

I debated following them. My urge to talk to Nova ... to be close to her ... was maddening.Slow down, Casanova,I told myself.You’re acting like a lovestruck moron.While I wanted to trust Nova, I had to remember who she was. Seeing her with her family was one of the few things capable of driving a sharp, solid bolt of ice into my guts. There was no denying the physical pull between us, our sexual chemistry was out of this world. That was dangerous. Even if she had the same motives as me, a desire to avoid a bloody revolution, she was still a part of the Valentines. My enemies.

Stepping off the last stair, I moved toward the front doors. I was hoping to find that kid Drake and learn where the hell my things were. I’d never find my bedroom in this castle without guidance.

“Thorne,” Nova said. I froze midstep. She was standing in the hallway where I’d seen her go with her family. Now she was alone. Her expression was a mix of surprise and delight at seeing me. “When did you get here?”

“Around half an hour ago,” I said.

She came closer, looking from me to the doors, then back. “Were you going out?”

Say you’re leaving. Say goodbye. Remember who she is.

“Want to come with me?” I asked.Fuck.

Nova’s eyes brightened. “I’d love that.”

The way that sounded from her tongue,love, created a whirl of excitement in my belly.What’s the point in being suspicious?I asked myself, reaching for her hand.I already agreed to the marriage. Might as well go all in and enjoy it.

“Where are we going?” She beamed as she chased me out the front of the castle.

Scanning the area, I waved when I spotted Drake. “We’re going to indulge in something I haven’t in far too long.” He ran over, letting me whisper in his ear. He blinked, then handed me some keys while pointing at one of the many cars glistening in the gigantic driveway.

“And what’s that?” she laughed, still holding my hand, still gripping it tight.

I winked at her. “Retail therapy.”

- CHAPTER FOURTEEN -

NOVA

I didn’t expect to be alone with Thorne again so soon. But here I was, flying down the road, wind from the open windows tossing my hair into a knot.

“Do you mind if I put on some music?” he asked. I shook my head and he cranked the radio. Channels and static crackled through the speakers: pop music, something in French, then the tinkle of instrumental piano.

I figured he’d keep going. He didn’t.

“You like classical?” I asked, not able to hide my surprise.

“I do.” His black eyes bounced to me, then back to the road. “I know. I don’t look like the type, but I actually used to play piano.”

His long fingers, gripping the wheel, took on a new meaning. Thorne had been skilled with them, playing me like I was an instrument he knew by heart. “I always wanted to play an instrument.”

“Why didn’t you?”

Looking at my hands, I smiled solemnly. “Ah. My parents didn’t bother to let me try. I think they didn’t see much value in it.” I noticed him side-eyeing me and cleared my throat. “You probably started when you were really little, right? That’s how all the greats begin.”

His chuckle was full of grit. “I began playing when I was barely five years old. My parents hired the finest, most expensive teachers to increase my potential. I also sat and practiced beside my older sister, Lulabelle. You know she had her first performance when she was just eight years old? I remember sitting in the audience, dreaming about that being me someday ... glowing in the spotlight while everyone watches and claps.”

The faraway look in his eyes made my heart thrum.

He blinked, clarity returning as he concentrated on the road. “Lula was a natural at any instrument she tried. Gifted, everyone said. I wasn’t. I struggled for every gain. Worked my ass off right up until the day my father told me it was a waste of time.” Something squeaked in the car; it was the leather of the steering wheel as he constricted it. “He was right. I was never going to be good enough at it to matter.”

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