“I don’t want you getting swallowed up by these people.”
“I won’t. Give me a little credit, Owen.”
“Ems—”
“It’s not like it’s forever. It’s one month.One. How much could possibly change in a month?” I ask, ignoring the bolt of foreboding that shoots through me as the words leave my mouth. I feel like I’ve just uttered some sort of challenge to the universe; like I’ve jinxed myself with one careless phrase.
What a ridiculous thought.
Owen takes another step forward, until our faces are a half-foot apart, and leans down to take my face between his hands. His thumb brushes away a teardrop. “Things change all the time. In a month. In a night. In an instant.”
“Not me.” My voice is adamant. “Notus.”
“I’m worried I’m going to lose you.”
“You could never lose me, Owen.” I reach up and place my hand on top of his. “Even if I stay, even if I don’t abdicate… nothing will alter. Not when it comes to you and me. We willalwaysbe best friends.”
Something flashes in his eyes. He opens his mouth to say something but he never gets the chance, because we’re suddenly not alone. Two people in tight athletic clothes jog around the bend in the path, practically barreling straight into us. We spring apart instantly.
“Well, isn’tthiscozy,” Chloe drawls, taking in the sight of us with laser-sharp interest. Her red ponytail swings jauntily as a grin spreads across her face.
I know what this must look like to them — me, wearing Owen’s jacket, gazing upward as he cups my face. Not two friends coming to terms with some big changes; a couple, sharing a stolen moment in a secret garden.
Why do you care what they think?I ask myself, even as my eyes cut straight to Carter. My heart starts to thud. I haven’t seen him since last night — haven’t spoken to him since our screaming match in the hallway. There’s a certain twisted irony in the fact that the last words I hissed at him were an adamant declaration that I don’t have a boyfriend. His cold cerulean eyes meet mine, utterly devoid of all emotion, and somehow I know he’s thinking the exact same thing.
I swallow hard.
“Who’s the regulation hottie?” Chloe asks, planting her hands on her hips. “And where do I get myself one?”
“This is Owen,” I tell her, not offering any more detail than absolutely necessary. “Owen, these are Linus’ step-children. Chloe and—”Why is it so hard to say his name when he’s looking at me like that?“And Carter.”
Carter’s eyes break with mine and slide to Owen’s, his severe expression intensifying. I feel Owen stiffen at my side, rising to his full height as he returns the look. Neither man says anything — not out loud, anyway. But whatever nonverbal communication they’re exchanging isn’t good, judging by the frigid silence that spreads over our small group.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Chloe interjects with forced brightness, her eyes sharp as they flit back and forth between her brother and my best friend. “If all of Emilia’s friends are this hot, I think maybe thisunwanted-little-sisterthing won’t be so bad.”
I push out a thin laugh.
Owen glances at her cooly. “Emilia is not your sister.”
“Owen,” I mutter. “She was only kidding. Don’t be an ass.”
It’s clear he’s not in a joking mood, though, as his eyes return to mine. “I don’t give a shit if she was kidding or not. Do you even know anything about these newsiblingsyou’ve decided to live with? Probably not, since you avoid royal gossip like the plague.”
“For good reason,” I insist.
“Not when you expect me to leave you here alone with them!”
“Emilia’s a big girl,” Chloe says, amused. “She can make up her own mind about us.”
“I think that’s what he’s afraid of,” Carter adds lowly.
Owen tenses. “Don’t you speak to me about Emilia.Ever.”
“Why?” Carter smirks. “Afraid you’ll hear something you don’t like?”
“Now, now, boys,” Chloe murmurs. “Play nice or we’ll kick you out of the sandbox.”
Owen ignores her, turning back to me. His eyes are full of such keen desperation, it scares me. “Don’t you understand? These people representeverythingthat’s wrong with this monarchy. They reap all the benefits of royalty without any of the responsibility. They’re just…leeches, sucking the lifeblood from our taxpayers.”