The problem is… I’m not sure I can actually do that if things go in a certain direction; Grimstad still has an actual chance with her. He arrived at the house before us, and I’ve only seen him once, arm in a sling and missing his usual calm swagger as he joined the royal family for dinner on our first night here. The queen profusely thanked him for protecting her daughter, and he sat in silence. I expected him to throw out false humility and tell her that anyone would have done what he did, but he kept his mouth shut and his head down.
I think the shooting spooked him.
While Freya hasn’t spent much time around Grimstad, too busy talking to reporters and placating members of the House of Lords who are panicking about the assassination attempt and worried they’ll be next, she hasn’t given any indication that she plans to turn his proposal down. I’ve barely been able to sleep because of it, which is probably why Gregor ordered me to take it easy today. It’s a good thing he didn’t see how bad I got before Havenford, or he might have taken me off my post.
That would have been better for everyone involved.
“Freya’s fine,” I say, finally responding to Derek’s comment.
“I know. I just saw her.” He’s showing next to no emotion, which only emphasizes the weary set of his shoulders. “I’m pretty sure she can get through anything without batting an eye.”
He’s not wrong, but I’ve seen Freya’s confidence waver more than once. She puts on a brave face. Acts the part of a princess. But she’s still human.
“I’m fine too,” I add and narrow my eyes when Derek’s features twitch, his mask slipping the slightest bit. “Why are you really here, Derek?”
He folds his arms, then changes his mind and tucks his hands into the pocket of his sweatshirt. It’s weird to see him dressed so casually, but it’s not like I know my cousin all that well. Maybe he dresses like this all the time and I’m just used to seeing him in pictures or video clips. Regardless, he’s nervous.
That makesmenervous.
I didn’t think Derek Rileygotnervous, and I’ve kind of hated him for it until right this moment. Turns out I preferred him when he seemed to have an answer to everything.
“Did you read the latestHollywood Hot Scooparticle?” he asks eventually.
I huff out a laugh. “Nope. And I don’t plan to.”
“You probably should.”
“Why?”
Instead of answering, he holds out his phone. No, it’sFreya’sphone, and while I want to ask why he has it, I’m more interested in the headline glaring up at me from the bright screen.
“I don’t really need to read about the shooting, Derek. I was there.” But I skim the article anyway, glossing over the fairly factual story until my eyes catch on my name. “How do they know I was injured?” I mutter, rubbing my jaw as I keep reading. I was very clear about not letting that be part of any press releases, and I thought I was hiding it well. But I—
My heart comes to a stuttering halt in my chest when I land on the words ‘older brother.’ But then my brain catches up, and I let out alaugh that feels as forced as Derek’s current indifference. “They’re really reaching now, aren’t they?” I say. When Derek says nothing, I look up.
My stomach twists.
He looks like he just gotpunchedin the stomach.
I may not have known him for long, but he’s good at what he does and can usually hide his real feelings. I also know he’s incredibly well-informed. He wouldn’t react so strongly unless…
Swallowing, I scan the article again, and I’m starting to realize why he looks so beaten down. Beaten down is the wrong phrase, but he sure looks like someone delivered a heavy blow with this tease.
“Derek,” I say slowly. Not really sure if I can say anything else. But I have to. “Are they talking about you?” Because that’s the only reason I can figure he would be here, standing at the top of a tower and staring at me the same way he did when we first met. Like he can’t believe I exist. “But we’re cousins.” I tuck Freya’s phone into my pocket and shake my head. “That would be enough of a twist to reveal, so why would they…”
“Hot Scoopalways operates with a grain of truth,” Derek says, his voice rough and almost too quiet to hear. “The people behind the site are vile and manipulative, but they’re not stupid enough to make wild claims without something to back them up. Especially when it comes to me. They wouldn’t say something like this if it wasn’t…”
I clench my jaw as my thoughts race through my head, leaving me dizzy. “There’s no way.”
He doesn’t look as convinced as I want to be.
I shake my head as my heart starts pounding in my chest. “No. No, because if we’re brothers, then either my dad isn’t my dad, or your mom…” I stop when he meets my gaze with a nauseous expression. “Your mom,” I repeat as he grits his teeth. “She would have had to…”
Derek sinks onto a stone bench and stuffs his hands into his hair. “Sleep with her brother-in-law when I was six? Yeah.” He says it like he knows it for sure happened.
I’m going to be sick. “But Dad would never…”
“Mom would. I wouldn’t be surprised if she manipulated him into doing it. She’s good at that.”
