Page 20 of The Royal Flame (The Royal Academy #3)

CHAPTER

RIVER

T he horrible part about having anxiety—well, one of the horrible parts—is trying not to freak out over the what ifs.

It’s a pain in the ass, a battle of deep breaths, and attempting to convince your mind that nothing bad will happen.

I’ve spent the doing that about Maddy. I realize as the day moves on how much I like her.

I think I might possibly be falling in love with her. Which is fast, but it’s how I feel.

To distract myself from losing my mind over worrying about her, I have a meeting with the principal.

I learned from the rumors that Eli reported Maddy punching him.

More than likely they’ll try to expel her.

It’s messed up because if she were a Royal they wouldn’t do that, either out of fear or because her parents bribed the administration.

I’ve seen it happen too many times. It’s why Eli wasn’t expelled from high school even though he constantly broke the rules.

Ms. Williams is the principal. She’s around fifty years old with short, dark hair and glasses that are by a prominent enough designer that I know she’s getting paid pretty decently. I also know principals don’t make that much money, so yeah, she’s taking bribes for sure.

“Hey, River, have a seat,” she greets me as I enter.

She knows who I am because my father is one of the wealthiest in the city, and even though I hate my father, I’m about to use his status to my advantage.

I take a seat on the opposite of her desk.

“How’s your family doing?” she asks as she adjust her glasses.

The fact that she isn’t aware of my mother’s missing status lets me know how hard my father worked to seal that box up.

“Everything’s fine for the most part,” I tell her, resisting the urge to tap my foot against the floor—I need to appear as calm as can be.

“Good. That’s good.” She studies me for a beat. “What can I help you with today? My secretary said you wanted to speak with me, but you didn’t say what about.”

Here goes nothing.

“I need to know if Maddison Averly is at risk for getting expelled?” I get straight to the point.

The corners of her lips dip downward. “Oh, I assure you she is. We’re also pressing assault charges against her.” She overlaps her hands on the desk. “Rest assured, I’m not about to let a scholarship student bring violence into this school.” She smiles, as if reassuring me.

She thinks I’m here because I want Maddy kicked out.

“I want you to revoke the expulsion,” I inform her. “Maddison didn’t hit Eli. He lied about it.”

Her forehead creases. “Are you saying Eli lied? Because he saw the nurse earlier and there were signs of an assault.”

“You really believe that a north side girl could beat up a Royal man?” I question, loathing that I have to use this tactic, but I see no other choice.

“And besides, Maddison was with me today. We went to class then had lunch with my father. He knows Maddison is important to me and he wanted to meet her. He was really impressed that she made it into the academy. He was actually talking about making another donation this year.”

She perks up at that, her eyes brightening. “Well, that’s very generous of him.”

“Well, he’s very generous when he’s impressed,” I lie through my teeth, fighting my instinct to bounce my goddamn knee up and down.

It’s an anxious tick of mine and it’s increasing my anxiety by my not being able to do it.

“But I think if you kick his son’s girlfriend out of the academy, he may not be so generous. ”

Yep, I called Maddy my girlfriend and she’d probably be so pissed at me, especially after my idiot ass broke up with her.

I’m so stupid.

I panicked when my father threatened her. But at the same time, I never thought about blackmailing him either.

I should’ve talked to Maddy.

I should’ve talked to someone instead of simply reacting. I’ve spent my entire life, though, making my decisions based on protecting the people I care for.

“I see.” She gives a short pause then shifts in her chair. “I’ll open an investigation then so we can clear this up. Until then, Maddison will simply be on discreet probation, which will erase one we get this straightened up.”

“You should just check the security footage,” I tell her. “He said he was punched in the main corridor at around eleven o’clock. There are cameras everywhere there.”

“That’s a great idea.” She reaches for her phone and pushes a button. “I’ll make the call to our tech team.”

“Thanks for working so hard to get this taken care of.” I smile at her as I stand up.

She smiles back then gets onto the phone with someone.

I leave the office, waiting until I’m in the hallway to send Noah a text.

Me: Did you get it taken care of?

Noah: Yep. And with Maddy erased from the footage, it looks like he just tripped over his own feet and fell into the floor.

I breathe in relief as I start down the hallway. I’m glad Noah and I are on somewhat of speaking terms again. I’d gone to him before I went into the principal’s office to see if he’d help me out with the video footage. He agreed but told me he was doing it for Maddy, because she helped him out.

Noah was always like that, the kind of friend that would help you out in a sticky situation. It’s nice to know that part of him still exists.

As I’m heading back to my dorm room to try call Maddy for the millionth time, my phone rings. At first, I worry it might be Noah, telling me that he made a mistake and didn’t get the footage fixed. But Maddy’s name flashes across the screen of my phone.

My heart leaps in my chest as I answer.

“Hey,” I say as I open my dorm room door.

“Hey,” she replies. “We need to talk.”

We really do.

I need to apologize.

I need to tell her about mine and Finn’s plan.

I kick the door shut. “Tell me you’re okay first.”

“I’m fine. Sorry I shut my phone off. I just… I don’t know, freaked out. I’m sure you’ve already heard, but I punched Eli in the face.”

“No, you didn’t.”

‘Um, yeah, I did. We were in the hallway and he was being a jerk. I was upset and punched him in the face.”

“No, you didn’t,” I repeat. “I erased that from every happening.”

“What? How?”

“I talked to the principal about it and then had Noah erase the video footage. The principal is looking into it right now, but all she’ll see on the footage is Eli falling. And if anyone asks, you were with me and my father most of the day.”

The line grows quiet, except for the sound of her soft breathing.

“Why would you do that for me?” she asks. “After you broke up with me.”

I lean against the front door and close my eyes.

“I know this will make me sound awful, but I need to be honest. I don’t want to break up with you, but I’m also not okay with putting your life at risk so I can selfishly be with you.

I want to be with you… So damn badly.” I close my eyes, focusing on the breaths I’m taking.

“But I can’t be with you like that until I know you’re safe.

Finn and I have came up with a plan to shut my father up, but it might take a while, and I’ll understand if you don’t want to wait around for me.

Or if you don’t want to be with me anymore because of how messed up I’ve been toward you. ”

“You haven’t been messed up to me,” she whispers softly.

“I have. I broke up with you. Hurt you. And I’m in an arranged marriage.” I pinch the brim of my nose. It hurts to say all of this, but it’s the truth. “You deserve better than me.”

The quietness that follows is maddening.

Did she hang up on me?

No, I can still hear her breathing.

“I think maybe you should let me decide that.” The sound of her sweet voice makes my body warm all over.

“You’re right. I’m sorry for trying to make decisions for you. If anyone should know how much that sucks, it’s me.” I almost ask her what she wants, but am too afraid.

“Look,” she says through a heavy sigh. “I get why you broke up with me and why you’re worried about dating me. But you said you and Finn came up with a plan, so why don’t you work on that and for now, we can be friends. Because I really need a friend right now.”

It’s not what I want, but it’s for the best at the moment.

“Where are you anyway??” I ask, opening my eyes and pushing away from the door.

“I’m at the bus station in north side,” she divulges. “Waiting for a bus that’ll take me back to The Royal City.”

I grind to a halt. “You’re by yourself in north side? Does your bodyguard know you’re there?”

“No.” A drop of guilt seeps into her tone. “But I’m headed back now. I have to take a few buses, so I’ll be a bit. But I promise I’m safe. I have my taser and everything?—”

“You’re at the bus stop in north side right now, right?” I grab my car keys and wallet off the end table. “How long until your bus leaves?”

“About an hour,” she says. “I swear I’m safe, though. I’m sitting in the waiting area and people are around.”

I start for the door. “I’ll be there in a half an hour.”

“River, you don’t have to come get me?—”

“Yeah, I do. Call it a selfish move, but I won’t be able to relax until I know you’re okay.”

She exhales loudly through the phone. “Whatever, Gothic Prince, if that’s what you need to do, then fine.”

Oh, it’s what I need to do, because I won’t be able to relax until I know she’s safe.

And not just in this moment.

Forever.