Page 30 of Scarred Crown

“Julia!” My mother calls out one of the palace windows.

I grimace and consider pretending I don’t hear her. Of course, that’ll just set off an argument later about how disrespectful I can be. She never believes I’m deaf. “Yes, mother,” I call back without bothering to see which window she’s opened.

“I need to see you. Meet me in the library.”

I text Nick that I’ve been caught by the Momster, and I’ll have to track him down when my lecture is over.

He sends back a sad face but doesn’t offer to help. Figures.

I enter one of the side doors with the keycode and make my way to the library on the first floor. During school, Nick and I spend a lot of time in here doing our homework. When we hit twelve, we were no longer allowed to hang out in his room. It’s a stupid rule because half the time Nick locks the door to the library, and we could be doing anything we wanted in here. There is a couch.

Besides, the royal estate is huge, and it’s not like a bed or a couch is needed for a make-out session. Not that either of us has so much as joked about being anything other than friends. Anytime someone else suggests it, Nick goes off on how platonic friendships are not just possible, but he and I are living proof that they’re achievable.

Even if I were tempted to think about him like that—hello, I’m not blind—I don’t allow those thoughts to creep in. I’m far better off being his best friend. I’ve seen how he treats his girlfriends. He’ll never discard me.

“Ah, there you are,” my mother says, entering the room with her notebook and pen in hand. Her hair, the same chestnut shade as mine, frames her face, and her reading glasses are perched on her nose.

“You asked me to be here. I don’t know why you’re surprised I showed up.”

She raises her eyebrows at me, but she doesn’t bite back. “Security at our house logged something interesting the other night.”

Shit. “Oh?” I cross my arms. Lecture number five hundred about leaving the property without telling an adult is headed my way.

“Nick came and picked you up again—without any security.” She sets down her notebook and pen and eases onto the couch.

A long lecture. She’s even sitting down. With a sigh, I sink into one of the armchairs. “Yes.” I can’t deny it. She’s got the proof from the cameras and likely Nick entering the code to get inside the gate.

“I realize you two are very close friends, and you rely on one another for emotional support. For Nick’s sake, I’ve never tried to discourage you from spending so much time with him. But I am concerned with the number of rules Prince Nicholas feels comfortable breaking, particularly when it comes to his personal safety. If you’re on the back of his bike and no one knows where you are, what happens if you’re in an accident?”

“Someone would find us and call an ambulance.”

“What if you’re ambushed by someone wishing to kidnap Prince Nicholas, hold him for ransom?”

“On Bellerive?” I scoff. “Mom, you can’t be serious.”

“All it takes is for the wrong person to realize Nick is careless. Bellerive is an island, but we are not devoid of bad actors, people who will take advantage of a situation.” She gives me a hard stare. “The three boys are very photogenic, and as a result, the island is starting to get more attention in the media. Neither of you can nor should assume these rides won’t become a problem.”

“I’m not policing Nick. That’s not my job.”

“Then police yourself. Perhaps if you didn’t hop on the back of his bike every time he showed up, he wouldn’t come, or he’d go home instead of gallivanting around the country.”

“He’d still go,” I say, an edge to my voice. “He’d just be alone. Is that what you want?”

“I’d prefer he didn’t go at all. I’ve spoken to his parents, but they feel this small rebellion is better than something larger.” She gives me a hard look. “I doubt these rides are his only rebellion, but that’s instinct, not proof.” She sighs and laces her hands. “My true concern isn’t Prince Nicholas, though I love him dearly, it’s you. You’re my daughter. I don’t want you lying in a ditch or kidnapped by criminals because Nick felt like a joyride at God knows what time in the morning.”

God knows what time, and so does my mother. The security cameras and keyless entry are timestamped. “Are you telling me I can’t go?” I will anyway, but I’d like to know exactly how much trouble I’ll be in.

“If I have to, yes. I’m hoping you’ll behave like the young adult I know you can be and you’ll either stop going with Nick or you’ll get him to stop venturing out.”

I stare at her, not committing to anything. I’m on Helen and George’s side with this one. Nick’s life is so buttoned up with all the things he can and can’t do. Our night rides and our drinking sessions, which thankfully my mother doesn’t seem to know about, are his outlets for a life he didn’t choose. He doesn’t even have his sexcapades with Vicky anymore. It’s just me. I’m not letting him down.

“Knock, knock,” Alex calls from the entryway of the library. “Secretary Jensen, my father was looking for you.”

My mother checks her watch and frowns. “Julia, I need you to seriously consider what I said.”

“Sure,” I say with a fake smile. “It’ll be all I think about.”

She releases an annoyed breath and flies out the room to put out some other fire somewhere else. She lives for organizing someone’s life. Most days I’m thankful she’s too busy to meddle too heavily in mine, and my father is super chill. He’d have to be to live with her.