He’s right, and while I wish I didn’t care, I do.
“Fine, but be careful,” I tell Finn. “And I don’t think we should tell her anything until we know what’s going on.”
“We can try,” Finn stresses, “but she’s already been asking me a ton of questions about the society. I guess she’s been researching online for some reason. Plus, she almost saw the secret entrance to the tunnel in the library.”
That baffles the hell out of me. “What?”
“She saw me and Eli talking, and Lily told her that Eli bullied her, so Maddy thought it was weird that I was talking to him, and so Lily and her decided to follow me. They didn’t see exactly where the entrance is, but Maddy saw me go into the library and that I didn’t come out, so she’s suspicious.” He scratches his head. “Hopefully, she’ll let it go, because if they find out she’s looking into them, they might target her even harder.”
“I still want to know why they’re targeting her.” I rub my hand across my forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
“We’ll look into it,” he assures me. “Until then, we’ll keep an eye on her.”
I nod in agreement.
We need to get answers before something worse than a message on the door happens to Maddy.
CHAPTER 21
MADDISON
The shower is biggerthan my bedroom at my house and has more showerheads than I’d ever think one person could need. The water is so warm too and remains that way the entire time. It’s something I’m unused to so I end up staying in there for longer than I probably should.
By the time I climb out, my fingers are prune-y.
Once I dry off, I endeavor into Lily’s closet to find something to wear. I feel so uncomfortable sifting through her clothes, so I make it quick, settling on the least expensive-looking outfit I can find—a loose pair of pants made with the softest material I’ve ever felt and a long-sleeve shirt that matches. As I’m pulling them on, I glance around her room, trying to imagine what it was like growing up in a place like this.
But as I’m taking everything in, my gaze zeroes in on a specific item.
On top of a vanity is a massive gold-trimmed jewelry box with hooks on the top where necklaces are dangling. I move over to it and examine what’s captured my attention—a necklace shaped like a crown that almost resembles the one my aunt Ellie gave me. The only difference is that Lily’s is less scratched up and has a red diamond in it.
I turn it over and Lily’s name has been engraved into the metal. Mine might have had an engraving on it one point, but it’s too banged up now for it to be legible.
I’m so confused. How did my aunt get a necklace that resembles one that a royal owns?
Maybe she got it from a pawnshop? Still, it’d be expensive.
Perhaps it’s some sort of counterfeit?
I decide to ask River about it, but as I’m exiting the bedroom, I smack into Finn with so much force that I hit my head on his chin and his teeth clank together.
“Jesus,” Finn mutters, his tone laced with pain.
“Sorry,” I quickly apologize, noting he smells good now, like freshly fallen rain with a splash of cologne. I hate that I notice that, and also how pretty he is.. “I didn’t see you.”
“Clearly.” He’s rubbing his jaw as I step back from him. His blonde hair is damp from the shower he must’ve taken and he’s changed his clothes. “You good, though? You seemed in a hurry.”
“Actually, I was.” I point over my shoulder at Lily’s room. “Can I ask you a question about something I found in there?”
He nods, a crease forming between his brows. “Um, sure.”
He follows me to the jewelry box.
I touch the crown necklace. “Do you know where Lily got this?”
He slants forward to get a better look, giving me another good whiff of his wonderful scent. “Yeah, that's a coronation necklace. Royal girls are each given one when they’re introduced to society. There’s like this big ball and stuff. And I think the diamond color represents the family name, if I’m remembering correctly.” He pauses, assessing me. “Why?”
I shrug, even more perplexed. “Because I have one.”
