Twisted Kingdom (Royal Elite #3) by Rina Kent

She’s using my desperation to get what she wants. Just like fucking Nash. I swear they’re cut from the same cloth.

Just wait until I have Elsa back and I’ll take my revenge against them both.

“Pray tell,” I speak in my most detached tone.

“Don’t mention a word to Cole about Adam.”

Hmm. Interesting.

“I don’t have to. He’s not stupid and will eventually figure it out himself.”

And with that, Queens and I head to the girls’ locker room.

Energy buzzes through my veins the closer I am to Elsa.

Alicia used to say that in order to be accepted, you have to bare yourself.

I never understood what that meant.

Until Elsa.

Now, I’ll do whatever it takes to be accepted by her.

If it means letting everything go, then so fucking be it.





16





Elsa





I tie my damp hair back then button my jacket.

My movements are mechanical at best. Knox said he’ll take me and Teal to some film, but I can’t muster excitement about it.

I enjoy their company more than anything else. Being back under my father’s wing has given me a sense of comfort I haven’t felt in ten years.

Dinner time with Dad, Agnus, Knox, and Teal feels familial, and I’m thankful to have them as a family.

However, something is missing.

At times, I’m certain it’s about the past and what I erased from my memory. But the truth is, that’s not the only reason.

Even when I laugh and smile and act completely normal, I can still sense the void inside. The terrifying hollowness. It echoes through my empty chest like an old rusty bell.

It hurts.

It really fucking hurts.

The worst part is that I can’t even talk about it to anyone. They’d think I’m broken beyond repair. They’ll think I’m crazy for tossing and turning all night thinking about the one person I shouldn’t be thinking about.

I suck in a deep breath.

You can do this, Elsa. You’re strong.

I throw the backpack over my shoulder and step outside.

My feet falter near the door.

Aiden and Silver stand together, appearing deep in conversation.

My lips tremble. The void in my chest claws louder and harder like a trapped animal. That animal needs out. That animal will rip my heart open, run over to them, and shred that scene apart.

Stop. I scream at myself. It’s over, remember? They’re engaged. You’re nothing.

Even as I tell myself this, I can barely fight off tears. God, maybe I shouldn’t have returned to RES after all.

I don’t think I can see them like this for the rest of the year and pretend I’m okay.

My armour has already cracked, and it’ll continue to crumble the more I witness such scenes.

I close my eyes for the briefest second.

I can do this.

I’ll walk past them with my head held high and pretend they don’t exist.

My footsteps are forceful, to say the least, but I jut my chin upwards as I stride in the direction of the exit.

I’m strong. I’m strong. I’m strong...

Their chatter comes to a halt as I march past them. A strong hand wraps around my arm, stopping me in my tracks.

Goosebumps erupt over my skin and my entire body explodes with static.

His scent fills my nostrils. He doesn’t smell like me anymore. His scent is mixed with Silver’s expensive Chanel perfume.

I grit my teeth to avoid getting lost in his touch. “Let go or I’ll scream the whole place down.”

“I’d prefer you scream for another reason.” The dark, seductive tone takes me completely by surprise.

Is he flirting with me in front of his fiancé? What the hell is wrong with this psycho?

I would’ve felt sorry for Silver if I didn’t feel so bitter and completely out of my element right now.

“Let. Me. Go.” I emphasise every word.

“If I do, you’ll run away and I can’t have that.” He tugs and whirls me around so I’m facing him and Silver.

My head is held high, meeting both their gazes.

They won’t see my weakness. Not today. Not ever.

“We have something to tell you.” Aiden raises an eyebrow. “I would’ve told you earlier if you’d have listened to me.”

“I have nothing to talk about with either of you.”

Silver studies her nails. Her beautiful nails all peachy pink and polished. “Remember what I said at the car park?”

I won’t say anything until you talk to Aiden.

Her words have been playing in my mind since she said them. I tried not to give them weight, but I couldn’t ignore them. Especially at night when I can’t sleep.

For that reason alone, I choose to stay.

Seeming convinced that I won’t leave, Aiden releases my arm.

“Are you engaged to Aiden?” I ask her.

She nods.

I press my lips together, gather my bearings around me, then speak in a neutral tone that conveys nothing of the chaos running rampant inside me. “Then we have nothing to talk about.”

One step is all I take before Aiden grips me by the shoulder and pins me in place. “Listen for once, and stop running away.”

Could be because of his intoxicating touch.

Or their engagement that hangs over my head like a guillotine.