Twisted Kingdom (Royal Elite 3)

With th

e time difference, we could only text at odd times of the night. It’s not nearly enough.

The thought that we’ll be permanently separated at the end of this year brings a taste of nausea to my throat.

It steals my breaths, that thought.

To distract myself, I’ve spent nights at Aunt and Uncle’s, doing yoga. I went out with the horsemen, Knox, Teal, and Kim, but nothing and no one can take up Aiden’s place.

He’s been a constant in my life since the beginning of the year, and now that he’s gone, it’s pure torture.

Tucking my phone back in my pocket, I hug my backpack to my chest and follow Dad into his office. We sit side by side on the black leather sofa in the centre of the room.

“How was your day?” he asks.

“Good.”

Dad always asks about my day and if I need anything. While that makes me happy on most days, I’m not the least bit joyful right now.

Bricks of anxiety pile at the bottom of my stomach with every second he remains silent.

“What’s going on, Dad?”

“You know that your opinion matters to me more than anything else, right?”

I nod once, unsure where he’s going with this.

“As you know, the Rhodes have a voting committee in place. Their members will decide whether Jonathan or I get the partnership.”

“I do.”

While I’ve been butting out of Dad and Jonathan’s war, Agnus has been keeping us in the know. Each company has been recruiting members of that committee to vote in their favour.

Sebastian Queens, Silver’s father, is a member, and Jonathan is pissed off at Aiden for breaking off the engagement at a time like this.

Still, I’m sure Sebastian will vote in Jonathan’s favour considering they’ve been long-time allies.

I heard Agnus talk about how Dad has been recruiting some of the aristocratic members. If they manage to convince one of them, all the other ones would follow. Those noble folks are loyal to each other.

“I found a possible strong ally within the voting committee,” Dad says.

“Really?” My face lights up. “Who is he?”

“Earl Edric Astor.”

“Oh. Ronan’s father. I’m happy for you, Dad.”

His expression isn’t the least bit joyful, though. “There’s a catch.”

“A catch?”

“Earl Astor only agreed to form an alliance if we become in-laws. My daughter to his son.”

The information hits me like a hurricane with all the lightning and thunder.

“Do you mean… I have to marry Ronan?”

The idea doesn’t even sit straight before my brain completely revolts against it. Ronan is my friend and I really like his goofiness, but that’s it.