The Reluctant King (The Star-Crossed Series) by Rachel Higginson Read Free Book Online Page B

am,” I replied easily, still trying to figure out her name.
                  “And two of your closest friends, engaged? Things really are falling into place for you,” she kept hold of my hands and I tried my best to squash the urge to retract them. It was awkward holding them like this.
                  “Yes, for me and the Kingdom. Our first cross-racial marriage, I cannot wait to see the ripple effects as the freedom of choice spreads through our people,” I preached.
                  “Of course,” her eyes narrowed just the slightest and I wondered if she was one of the older generation that was having trouble embracing our new way of life. “Will it spread to you?” She recovered and I wanted to put my face into my palm. I asked for this.
                  “One day,” I offered noncommittally.
                  Laughter broke my concentration and I followed the sound to those legs again, standing a little ways away. Amelia stood with her back to me, talking with Jericho. I admired her for a moment, her short skirt showed off her long, tanned legs and her dress was all lace from slim shoulders to curvy waist, revealing a perfectly sculpted back. Her golden brown hair was pulled off her neck and up into something only girls had names for; one long strand of glossy hair had escaped and blew against the nape of her neck in the gentle evening breeze.
                  It was then that I made my decision.
                  I had to talk to her.
                  “If you’ll excuse me, I see someone I need to speak with,” I apologized and when I saw disappointment in the lady’s eyes I improvised. “I know Eden was hoping to speak with you though,” I gestured with my arm, escaping her weird handhold.
                  Excitement and entitlement sparked in her gray eyes and she released me immediately, “Of course, enjoy your evening.”
                  “You too,” I mumbled, but I was already on my way across the space separating me from Amelia.
    I kept my eyes on her slender back, promising myself it was so I wouldn’t accidentally meet some talkative person’s eyes and get sucked into another meaningless conversation. She was deep in conversation with Jericho by the time I got closer. They were laughing at something, and she had put a hand on his arm just like she had the waiter. She leaned into him, her laugh rose above all the other sounds like musical bells. At the same time I felt both relieved that I had an excuse to join their conversation and an obnoxious stab of jealousy that Jericho had somehow fallen into her good graces so easily.
    I cleared my throat before I got to them, mentally berating myself for caring so much what one girl thought. She was exactly what I wasn’t looking for in a girl. Spoiled, rich, a symbol of the old Monarchy, a Kendrick…. a vegetarian. I almost turned away right then, realizing I wasn’t looking for a girl at all, and especially not this one.
    “Avalon,” Jericho called out before I could turn away. “Mimi was just telling me about some of her humanitarian work in India.” Jericho turned a bit serious before continuing, “Avalon is always trying to get our people to give back to humanity and get involved in charities. He thinks we could all be doing something more with our money.”
    “That surprises me,” Amelia sobered completely, her golden eyes turning to steel. “I mean with all the poverty surrounding this Citadel.”
    “I, uh….” I stuttered, not expecting her accusatory response. Usually I was the one trying to convince people to do more.
    “Or maybe it’s easier to preach philanthropy than practice it?” Her eyes narrowed, her arms crossed and she practically turned her back on Jericho waiting for my response.
    I looked to Jericho for help; he was the one that pulled me into this after all. I bet she wasn’t accusing Jericho of