Twisted Kingdom (Royal Elite #3) by Rina Kent

I throw my backpack on the chair and flop onto the bed. I hit play on my iPod and Another Place by Bastille fills the air.

What’s the best way to refuse Dad’s offer without being a complete bitch? Either way, he’ll lose Earl Astor and might even be categorised as an enemy by the upper-class community.

Dad spent a lot of energy on this come back. Hell, he returned from the dead. I can’t just destroy his efforts.

Ugh.

This is so confusing.

I need a cup of hot chocolate to calm down. Oh, and my meds. Aunt will call me in a few and give me a lecture if she finds out I didn’t take them.

My heart palpitations have turned up in intensity these last couple of days. I’ll have to cave in and visit Dr Albert.

Please don’t have the doctor suggest a surgery. The thought of another one terrifies the bejesus out of me

My phone vibrates on my way to the kitchen.

My heart beats loudly at the thought that it might be Aiden. What would he say if he found out? Actually, I know what he’ll say.

He’ll ask me to refuse and if I can’t, he’ll do it for me.

Aiden doesn’t care about Dad’s well-being or how much losing Earl Astor’s support would devastate him.

Aiden is shameless about what he wants and isn’t above flipping the world the middle finger.

My stomach sinks when the caller ID doesn’t turn out to be Aiden.

Speak of the devil.

I swipe the screen. “Hey, Ronan.”

“Hey, fiancé.” His playful tone releases some of the dread perched on my chest.

“This isn’t the time to joke around.”

“Who says I’m joking? Father just said I’m getting married to you. I hit the jackpot! Think about the number of threesomes we’ll have, Ellie. Even Kimmy will be game to join if you’re my wife. Le paradis est juste ici.”

I narrow my eyes as if he can see me. “Why do you sound so happy?”

“Because I am! I’ve been imagining the look on King’s face when he finds out you’re my fiancé.” He hums. “You think I’ll be able to catch his expression on camera before he chops my head off with an axe?”

I smile despite myself. “Probably not.”

“I’ll ask Knight or Nash to film it, then. I’m leaving a legacy behind. Oh, and a fortune. You’ll be one of those lethally rich widows who dresses in black and has three black cats.”

I laugh, stopping near the corner. “You’re such a twat.”

“See? Marrying me won’t be so bad. We’ll have so much fun.”

“Be serious, Ronan.” I sigh. “Why don’t you tell your father you don’t want to get married?”

“I can’t tell my father anything. His word is law in this household.”

“So you’ll agree?”

“Already done. I’m an earl’s only child and heir, Ellie. It’s written in my birth certificate that I’ll have an arranged marriage. I’m lucky it’s with you and not with some snob that will suck the life out of my bones. You know how fucking scary that is?”

I pause, thinking about his point of view. I never thought Ronan would have these types of worries. He’s always so playful and carefree, no one sees the weight he carries on his shoulders.

“But I —”

“I know.” He cuts me off. “King, that lucky bastard, came first. Fucker. However, I’m not allowed to refuse the engagement from my side. You have to be the one to stab your sword straight to my virgin heart.”

“You’re such a dork.” I laugh.

“And you have such an awful taste in men,” Ronan mocks with an edge of drama. “Now if you excuse me, I’m going to nurse my broken heart with some weed and a girl — or two.”

I hung up with a smile.

The smile falls when I realise that Ronan’s completely out and I have to be the one who ends this. I groan. Is there no other way aside from hurting Dad?

“Are you going to agree?”

I jump at Teal’s quiet voice. I didn’t even notice she was there.

“You know about it?” I ask.

“Agnus mentioned it.” She studies her black nails, not meeting my gaze. “Thirteen already agreed to marry you.”

Since that practice football game, Teal often calls the horsemen by their jersey’s numbers.

“I thought you were with Eleven?”

“I am… sort of,” I say. “I won’t marry Ronan. I just have to find the appropriate way to tell Dad.”

Teal meets my gaze, but she remains silent. “Dad needs that alliance with the Astor family. Earl Astor has the best title amongst the voting committee and if he pledges to Dad, everyone else will follow his lead.”

“I know that.” That’s why it hurts so much, and my brain is working in overdrive.

“If you know, why don’t you act?” she asks with genuine curiosity as if all of this is too easy.

“I can’t do an arranged marriage when I already have someone else in my heart.”

“That’s why it’s better to have no one in your heart. Those who show weakness lose.”

“It depends on who you show that weakness to, Teal.”

She gives a sharp nod and sidesteps me to walk towards her room.