“What kind of boyfriend doesn’t realize their girlfriend has become an insomniac who is projecting out of her body every night?” His brow creased in disbelief.
This was the Rollie she knew from childhood. Smart-mouthed and unfailingly without a filter. A bit odd, but never mad. Sure, he didn’t see the point of social niceties and was far more at home with his books than stuck chattering with court members, but he had always been perfectly sane. More thancompetent. It was as if she’d woken up one day and her uncouth but gifted friend had become a paranoid hermit that she had to bribe in order to see. But standing here now, she took in how unfazed he was by her story and wondered if there was one more person in her life hiding in plain sight. She wondered if perhaps he was not unhinged at all, but merely protecting himself the best way he knew how—by keeping everyone and everything he loved far, far away.
The thought pressed down on her, but she brushed it aside, knowing he would not want her sympathies. “Mind your business, Rollickus.”
He blew out half a laugh, but his gaze went dark. “You’re out of your mind if you’re still sleeping with him. Never mind that he’s an old squinch.” His eyes demanded her to see reason. “He would have you killed without even blinking, Elysia. He will always choose the Crown becausehe is the Crown.”
His words cut to the quick, severing the tenuous leash she held on her fear. The same fear that coated her insides each and every night as she snuck away from the prince’s bed.
Her response was immediate and sharp. “You don’t even know him.”
Internally, she cringed.Gods, did she hear herself?If another woman spoke like that, she’d be rolling her eyes so hard it’d hurt.
But the prickle of fear that zipped up her spine and had her fisting her hands told the truth. She slept beside the Crown Prince of Kava, and she played a most dangerous game.
It was a game she had been born into, and there never had been any chance of winning.
Survival had always been her aim.
She let the air slowly hiss out of her nose and tried to calm her stuttering heart.
When she spoke, her teeth barely came apart. “I am handling it. Now either tell me what you know, or connect me with those who can.”
She could’ve sworn a flash of pity crossed his pale features, but then it was gone, and he was digging in his pockets. He held up an old, worn out coin and flipped it a few times before extending it to Elysia.
She gingerly plucked the coin from between his two index fingers and examined the etchings still present beneath the heavy layer of grime. Families, businesses—they often had coins which matched their seals. The one in her hand boasted a spray of sparks with a small key set in the center. She ran her thumb over the marks and looked back up at Rollie.
“And what do I do with it?”
He shoved a hand into his pocket and pushed up his glasses. “Nothing for now.”
Her head snapped up. “What?”
“I’ll talk to who I can and see if they’re willing to meet you. If they are, and it is anif, Elysia”—he stared at her unblinkingly—“then you’ll need the coin.”
Rollie grabbed a few more pastries and began walking back into the dark halls of the underground. He called out, knowing she could still hear, “Don’t follow me, Elysia Parker, we’ll know.”
Elysia stood in the dark clutching the coin, praying to the undead gods that no one prayed to any longer, that Rollickus Timmons could help her.
Chapter 6
Two days later,Elysia’s back slammed up against the sharp edge of a wooden bookshelf, but a breathless laugh fell out of her mouth. Her laugh was immediately swallowed by firm, familiar kisses. The taste of him sent her spinning into a high that she never wanted to come down from. This week had been so awful. She needed this, neededhim.
Strong, warm hands roved beneath her sweater, pulling her hips against his, only to let go as he planted his forearms above her and tore his lips from hers. Green eyes bright with lust stole over her, the prince’s full lips giving way into a grin. And then he hoisted her up, back pinching against the shelves once more, as her legs wrapped around his waist and her arms looped behind his neck.
The person most likely to realize she was cursed and turn her in for treason was currently sucking on the spot below her ear. She wasn’t thinking about treason, though. She was thinking about how she couldn’t make a sound because they were in the library and they’d already been caught once in the last six months alone. Topp’s thumb smoothed over her breast, making her forget her ambition to be silent as her eyes rolled back and her head smacked against the shelves. Books rattled,a few falling down to the floor. Elysia blinked, pulling away and panting as she looked down at the minor destruction.
Lightly dropping her onto her feet, Topp lowered his face and ran his lips up her neck, causing a shiver to ripple through her.
“You keep disappearing on me.” With his mouth against her ear, a blush bloomed instantly on her face, giving away her sense of guilt. He drew back and fixed her with a look.
Elysia grabbed a fistful of shirt, yanking him down to her level, and fastened her mouth to his. The prince responded immediately, clearly not too set on finding out what had been driving her bizarre behavior. Fingers stuck through his hair, she kissed him until she was winded and wished she could rip off his clothes.
Breaking the kiss, Topp brought one finger to his lips and cocked an ear. Heeled footsteps clacked closer.Fucking librarians.The prince stepped back, his lips swollen and set in a grin that promised trouble as he straightened his shirt and trousers.
He ducked down so his face was barely a breath from hers, his broad face lit with determination. “You think I’m that easy to distract, Parker? I’m insulted. We’re going to talk. Soon.”
The prince strode away, leaving her to drop to her knees to collect the scattered books. He turned the corner just as the librarians came upon her, clucking at the sight of all the books strewn about. Cheeks warm, she muttered an apology, and the women carried on with their noses in the air. Elysia scoffed quietly as they walked away. It wasn’t like they could actually punish her given who her partner in crime was, so instead, they would happily feed the gossip mill. Elysia was fine with that. The more everyone thought she and the prince werein love,the safer she was.
