Twisted Kingdom (Royal Elite 3)

“He’d let his future son-in-law.”

My muscles go rigid as I hiss, “What did you just say?”

“If I can’t keep you away from her; I’ll keep her away from you.” He motions ahead. “Ethan has just accepted to marry his daughter to Earl Edric Astor’s son. You can go back to England now. Congratulate Elsa on my behalf.”

Earl Edric Astor’s son.

Fuck no.

A heavy weight settles on my chest as I slip out of the office without a word.

Elsa is mine.

Fucking mine.

It’s time the world learns that fact.

25

Elsa

Something is wrong.

I sense it in my bones the moment I walk inside our house.

The air is stuffy, suffocating even.

Knox and Teal sit with Agnus and Dad in the lounge area. The chesterfield sofas appear like a battlefield.

Dad and Agnus sip their coffees in silence. Knox appears thoughtful. Teal’s brows are pinched together in… confusion? Anger?

She’s wearing a pullover, with the words, If you see me jogging, kill whatever the hell is chasing me written on it.

Usually, I’d smile at her sarcastic quotes, but the mood is completely off today.

I inch closer, fingering the strap of my backpack.

“Princess,” Dad smiles as soon as his light brown eyes meet mine. “You’re finally here.”

“Sorry, I spent time with Kim and Kir. We promised him to watch a film together.” And I just finished a run in the rain. It’s been too tense lately and only running allows me to relax. Of course, I changed my soaked clothes at Kim’s or Dad would give me grief. Like Aunt, he’s strict about endangering my heart condition.

“It’s okay.” He stands. “Let’s talk in my office.”

He walks ahead of me. I throw one last glance at the other three. Agnus encourages me to follow Dad with a nod.

Knox sighs. “I hate this whole shit.”

“You…” Teal clears her throat, peeking up at me. “You have to think about it.”

Okay. That makes the situation even more ambiguous than when I walked in. Better follow Dad and find out what’s going on.

Dread tightens my muscles as I take the steps two at a time. When I’m at the top, I check my phone.

My stomach falls when I find no texts from Aiden. For some reason, I want to talk to him right now.

I’ve been barely keeping myself sane this entire week. With him gone, RES is empty and fucking depressive. I see him in every corner and every hall. Hell, I even went to the football practice, imagining him scoring a goal in that perfect posture.

I didn’t know how much I needed Aiden in my life until he was gone.