Page 120 of Wicked Dreams (Fallen Royals 1)
“Is she okay?” Robert asks.
“She just fell asleep in the car,” Caleb answers. His voice is soft. “I didn’t want to wake her. I’ll just put her in bed…”
I snake my arms around his neck as he’s laying me down. He chuckles in my ear, his hands sliding along my forearms.
“I hate you,” I mumble, “but I still want you to stay.”
He exhales. “Your foster parents wouldn’t be happy with me.”
I adjust my grip, plastering him to me. It isn’t really fair for him—I have the leverage.
He lies next to me, petting my hair. “Okay, Margo.”
I sigh and inch closer. I still feel broken.
It’s unexpected. It’s sharp. If I move the wrong way, my heart may start bleeding. Best to stay completely still and hope that I heal overnight. That I can wish away all the bad pieces of Caleb—and me.
I fall asleep with his hand in my hair and my nose against his throat.
28
Amelie and Savannah have pulled a disappearing act.
It’s not surprising, Riley informs me. They like to take trips, and the school is resigned to accepting their halfhearted attendance. After all, their parents make considerable donations each year.
It’s because of the masquerade ball, they went to Paris to find dresses and masks.
Always a step above us little people, I suppose.
“Who are they going with?” I ask Riley.
She shrugs. “Last I heard, Amelie and Ian were going together. Not sure about Savannah.”
Ian Fletcher. He’s been keeping his distance, but I feel his stare like a hot coal against my skin. Why he’s taken such an interest is anyone’s guess.
“We need to pick out dresses,” she says.
We walk into the library. It’s remained our safe haven. So far, Caleb and Eli haven’t come searching for us. A few times Caleb has shot me questioning glances as I slipped into the class right after lunch. But he never asked, and I never mentioned it.
It’s been three days since Caleb and I went to New York City. He kept his distance on Sunday—letting me sort my emotions, I guess—and on Monday we were back to normal. As normal as we can be, anyway. And unsurprisingly, people have stopped making so many remarks. The picture drew attention at first, but they’ve all but forgotten it now.
“Lenora wants to go shopping this weekend,” I tell her. “Want to come?”
Riley grins at me. “Absolutely.”
The door to the library creaks open. We can’t see it from where we sit in the back, so both of us automatically slink down. Students aren’t supposed to be in here—let alone with food. It’s only because of Riley’s familial relationship with Amy that this is even possible.
A few times, we’ve had to hide in the stacks because the principal came in to speak with Amy. But those are rare days.
Caleb appears with Eli right behind him.
I groan. “There goes our safe haven,” I mumble to Riley.
Caleb looks down at me. “Are you hiding?”
“No.”
“We just like the quiet,” Riley says.