Broken Kingdom (Royal Hearts Academy #4)(110)

For a moment I’m positive I’m hallucinating, because why in the world would he have the St. Christopher pendant Liam got me along with the feather I paired with it?

Perplexed, I step back. “Why do you have my pendant.”

His chest lifts on an inhale and he starts to reach for me but stops himself. “You gave it to me.” A furrow appears between his brows, like he’s ashamed. “I should have given it back…but I couldn’t.” The sheer agony in his voice cuts into my heart. “It was the only thing I had left.”

He starts to take it off, but I stop him. “No.” I might not be able to remember why, but I must have given him the most important thing in my possession for a reason. “Keep it.”

“Are you sure?”

I answer with no hesitation. “Positive.”

My head feels heavy as I turn to walk away.

His bike roars to life behind me.

“Bianca.”

I freeze, the pounding in my chest growing worse.

“Don’t say it,” I croak out.

Not now.

Not until I end things with Stone.

I don’t want the significant words on his tongue to be tarnished by the weight of all the guilt I’m carrying.

I close my eyes, forcing myself to take several deep breaths as he peels out of the parking lot.

I’m walking up the stairs to my dorm when my phone rings and Cole’s name flashes across the screen.

Part of me wants to hit ignore, but considering the bomb I dropped on them earlier, he might need someone to talk to.

I quickly swipe the green button and bring it to my ear. “Hey.”

“Hey,” he says. “Listen, Jace and I are on our way with dinner. Is there anything, in particular, you want us to get?”

I rub my temple, thwarting off a headache.

“I appreciate the offer but—”

“Don’t shut us out,” Cole interjects. “We’re worried about you.”

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I’m the one who should be worried about them after everything I disclosed.

“I’m okay,” I assure him.

“You don’t sound okay.”

He’s got me there.

Deciding to be honest with him, I utter, “You’re right…I’m not.” I exhale sharply. “I’m breaking up with Stone.”

If Cole’s surprised by the news he doesn’t let on. “I figured that would happen sooner or later.”

“Why?”

I can tell he’s mulling his answer over before he responds. “You’ve been different lately. More you.”

A small laugh flies out. “Is that your way of saying I’m back to being a bitch?”

“Nah.” He pauses. “Well, not today at least.”

“Dick.”

It’s his turn to laugh. “Look, I’m not the guru of giving advice or anything, but life’s way too fucking short to spend it miserable. If breaking up with Stone feels like the right thing to do, then you gotta do what you gotta do, you know?”

He’s right. “Thanks for your support.”

“Don’t mention it.” He clears his throat. “I’m gonna go before this turns into some Ya-Ya Sisterhood shit and you start calling me for more relationship advice.” A serious note enters his voice. “You sure you don’t want us to stop by? We’re grabbing some burgers.”

I stick my key in the lock and turn the knob, but to my surprise, it’s already open.

The moment I open the door I realize why.

Stone’s sitting on my bed.

And even in the dark, the force of his rage and hurt is so rich it’s palpable.

I swallow hard. “Cole, I have to go.”





Chapter 52





Bianca





“How long have you been fucking him behind my back?”

The accusation whips through me like a belt.

And the worst part is…there’s absolutely nothing I can say to defend myself.

Because he’s right.

I might not have been physically cheating on him with Oakley—well, until today—but my heart definitely didn’t belong to Stone.

And if I’m being completely honest with myself, it hasn’t for a while.

I just kept hoping things would get better between us.

But now I’m realizing that while I care about Stone…what I felt for him wasn’t love.

It was security.

Stone was the refuge and safe haven the new Bianca desperately needed after the accident.

But now that I’m able to stand on my own two feet again…he’s not what I need now.

I don’t try to make excuses or deny it. Instead, I woman the fuck up, look him in the eyes, and apologize.

“I’m sorry.”

His face twists in disgust as he gets off the bed and charges toward me. “So you admit it? You’ve been fucking him behind my back.”

I’m not sure getting into the gritty details of what Oakley and I did will make anything better for him. “It doesn’t matter.” I hold his gaze. “You have every right to hate me, but I never meant to hurt you.”

It’s the truth. I didn’t want this to be our ending.