Cruel King (Royal Elite #0) by Rina Kent

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A week passes and life goes on.

I guess.

I’ve been focusing on my therapy with Dr Edmonds. We even have two sessions in the same week now.

I still can't remember but talking to the doctor helps. I get to focus on something that’s not the arsehole who shall not be named.

Since the day he pretended he doesn't even know me, he has erased me from his existence. When he walks by me, he doesn’t spare me a glance.

It’s like I’ve become invisible again.

In exchange, I erased him from my existence, too.

Dr Edmonds says that I’m evading my problems. He said the same about the fact that I haven’t spoken to my father since he flew to Russia last week.

But well, the shrink doesn't know everything. He just needs to focus on helping me regain my memories.

I know, deep down, that Levi is hiding something from the day of my hit and run. That’s why he’s been so hell bent that I drop the case.

For months, I’ve been blinded by his wickedness and charm that I didn’t look harder into it.

Now, I’m not.

Now, I won’t stop until I uncover everything that has to do with my accident.

I’ll pluck that crown off his head and push him to the edge.

Maybe then, he’ll realise how it feels like to have your heart broken and watch as it bleeds out.





On Saturday, the home team wins and Ronan throws his usual party. Dan invited me to the game. I passed, but I didn’t pass on the party.

I don't run away anymore.

When any of Levi’s groupies calls me a slut, I call her a slut right back.

If anyone attempts to touch me, I punch them in the face.

I’m done being tolerable to their ridiculous bullying.

Dan stopped me from punching Jerry when he started talking shit again last week. He said, my artist hands need to be protected. Instead, he punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground on my behalf. He almost got suspended if it weren’t for my testimony.

“Best friends are made to punch people for you,” he said when I found him in detention that day.

“No, they don’t, bug.” I laughed.

“Well, they should. I’m totally adding it to the manual.”

Currently, I put my arm in Dan’s as we walk into Ronan’s mansion. Drunk teenagers fall on either side making out or cannonballing into the kidney-shaped pool.

A loud pop song I don’t recognise thumps through the speakers and many kids dance to it, spilling alcohol all around.

One would think that Ronan would try to wind down the chaos, but he’s betting with Xander about who can down more shots.

If the howling and the screaming by the side of the pool are of any sign, Ronan isn’t winding down the party any soon.

Where the hell do his parents disappear to?

I grab a drink from a server — because it’s totally normal to have servers and butlers at teenagers’ parties — and down it in one shot.

“Liquid courage this early?” Dan asks with a slight lift in his lips before he throws one, too.

I submit my hair. “Okay, how do I look?”

“Badass.” He pulls my cheek. “You should’ve gone wild before.”

By going wild, Dan means that I wore the sinfully short denim shorts that he made me buy on a dare last year.

My lips are painted red and my hair is pulled up into a messy ponytail that I spent an hour trying to make it look right.

I wore a strapless black top, but against Dan’s suggestions, I did put on my matching denim jacket.

I might want to feel powerful, but I still want to crawl back into my comfort zone.

Which won’t happen.

Thus liquid courage.

Dan and I down tequila shots for what seems like half an hour before he starts getting fidgety.

I push him in the direction of a second-year girl who’s been watching him the entire time. “Go shag.”

He waggles an eyebrow. “Wanna join?”

I make a face. “You suck, bug.”

“I can suck.”

“Eww, Dan. Now, I need bleach, thanks a bunch.”

He makes two guns as he walks backwards with a grin. “Call me and we’re out of here, okay?”

That’s some commitment for Dan.

Tonight is different. I’m not bailing out.

I down one more shot. Woah. The tequila here is strong enough to make me spin.

Wait. Am I the one spinning, or is the room?

Fun.

I came here to have fun.

Although my feet are unsteady, I keep going on zigzag lines towards the football team where Ronan’s having his drinking competition.

I steal a shot from a passerby and mumble a sorry here and there when I stumble upon someone — or two.

The plan is to watch from afar. Like really afar.

I hide behind a leaf that adds some shadow to my face.

See, not noticeable at all.

Heat creeps up my neck and my arms. It’s freaking hot in here.

I tap someone’s shoulder and give him my shot. “Hold this for me.”

“Sure thing, love.” He’s smiling down at me. I smile back, or I think I do as I take off my jacket and throw it somewhere behind me.

Much better.

“Thanks!” I take back my shot. “Oh, Knight! Go, Elites!”

“Woohoo!” He pauses. “Wait. Was Danny boy right? Do you have a high alcohol tolerance?”