Her Royal Highness (Royals #2)(68)

I don’t know how to answer that, and my instinct at first is to deny it. To tell him that Flora was a great friend and roommate, but that’s it.

But then I realize: I don’t want the first time I admit, out loud, that I’m in love with Flora to be to anyone but Flora.

And I say so. “That’s private.”

Seb’s blue eyes widen at that. “So that’s a yes.”

“It’s a none of your business,” I shoot back.

Outside in the hallway, there’s the usual murmur of sounds I’ve gotten used to here at Gregorstoun. The sound of feet on floors, the murmur of voices, the occasional howling of the wind. Inside the room, I can practically hear the ticking of Saks’s alarm clock.

“If that’s all you came here to ask me,” I say now to Seb, picking up the notebook I’ve left on the bed, “then I guess you have an answer. And I have homework to do, so—”

“She’s miserable,” Seb says. “Without you. I’ve never seen her like this before.”

That’s a direct hit to the heart, and I swallow hard before saying, “Well, I’m not exactly dancing through the streets, either.”

“Then why did you leave?”

I look up at him, my fingers fiddling with the hem of my shirt, and he lifts one elegant hand to add, “And don’t say that’s private. I mean, it is, I’m sure, but I’d still like to know.”

I think about getting into the whole thing about Tamsin, about the tuition, about how I am in no way cut out to be a princess’s girlfriend.

But in the end, I just say, “We were too different. It was too hard. I get where I was fun and . . . convenient, I guess, but she’s never going to end up with someone like me.”

“Bollocks,” Seb says, sitting back with his hands braced on his knees. “Absolute bollocks.”

Blinking at him, I clear my throat before saying, “It is not bollocks. It’s the truth. I mean, look at me.”

“I’m looking,” he replies, “and I see a perfectly lovely girl who my sister is completely mad for, and who’s throwing away a good thing because she’s not brave enough to give it a shot.”

“That’s unfair,” I say, but Seb only shrugs, patting his shirt pockets for something.

He pulls out a cigarette, and I lean forward, plucking it from his fingers and tearing it in half, tiny shreds of tobacco falling on the floor.

To my surprise, that makes Seb grin. “See?” he says. “You’re exactly what she needs. You say you’re not cut out for the royal life, but look at you. Not scared of me, survived an entire weekend in a castle, looks good in tartan, and, from what Flora has said, smart as a bloody whip.”

“She said that about me?” I ask in a small voice, and Seb leans forward again, putting a hand on my knee.

“She’s a bit of a screwup. We all are. Well, all of us except for Alex. But she cares about you. She let you in. She trusted you.” His hand squeezes just a bit. “Now return the favor.”

With that, he stands up, idly scratching at his chest with a muttered “Now I’m going to go find a drink.”

And then he’s gone, leaving me sitting there, his words running through my head.

Crossing the room, I go over to the dresser and pick up the rose quartz, feeling its cool weight in my palm. I remember Flora’s face when she looked at it as we stood so close. I remember the way her hand felt in mine when we danced on Skye. I remember . . . everything.

And then I’m putting the quartz down and heading to the door.

I don’t walk down the hall so much as march, and taking a deep breath, I steel myself and rap my knuckles on Perry’s door, knowing I’ll find Saks there.

Sure enough, she opens the door, her black hair pulled off her face in a high ponytail. “Millie!” she exclaims, her eyes bright. “Is it true Seb came to see you? What did he say? What did you say? Was it awkward? Did you tell him I’ve moved on? Did he—”

“Saks,” I say, holding up one hand. “We can get into all of that later. For now, I need your help.”

She blinks, leaning against the door frame. “With what?”

Saying it is going to make it real, which is vaguely terrifying, but I know now it’s the only thing I can do.

“I screwed up,” I say on a long breath. “Like, monumentally. With Flora.”

Saks nods. “Yes, we know.”

Scowling, I put one hand on my hip. “Okay, great, glad everyone’s in agreement that I blew it.”

Another nod, this time with a sort of exaggerated sad face. “You really did.”

I roll my eyes. “Noted. But that’s not what I need help with.”

Straightening my shoulders, I look up into Sakshi’s face. “I’m going to get her back.”





CHAPTER 39





I have never skipped school in my life. I’ve also never sneaked out, or “borrowed” a car, or lied to an adult, but this morning, I’m doing all of those things in one fell swoop.



I mention all of this to Saks, who twists in the passenger seat of the car Perry is driving, her brow creasing into a frown. “But you’re doing it for a good reason!” she says, then reaches over and takes Perry’s hand, a smile lighting up her beautiful face. “True love.”