Page 77 of Trust the Fall

“The queen is … territorial where new people are concerned.”

“That’s one way to put it,” Cat grunts mostly to herself. It earns her a glare from River. She shrugs.

“Let’s just say, River is her favorite.”

River groans. “You two need to get back to work.”

“Whatever you say, lover bo⁠—”

“Go!” he barks, and both guards snap to attention, thoroughly scolded.

Neither looks terribly frightened, but they take the hint and wave their goodbyes, heading off without another word to us. Their heads are together as they walk away and, in this moment, I wish I knew what they were gossiping about.

“Those two are terrible gossips.”

“Sounds like they have plenty to gossip about.” My eyes widen theatrically. “So … you and the queen …”

“No.” He says it so quickly, I almost laugh. “It’s not like that at all.”

“Who are you trying to convince?” I tease.

“Victoria, I …”

“River,” I say, turning toward him. “You don’t have to explain to me. We’re only acquaintances. I don’t need the gory details about you and my supposed mother.”

He shakes his head. “It’s really not … like that. I’m set to marry.”

“Me?” I cut off. “Well, you and I both know that’s not happening, so who cares whose bed you warm? Although I must say, it’s a bit odd that you’d choose her, if you’d thought you were going to marry her daughter one day, don’t ya think?”

Frustration oozes from River. “Listen, there’s no part of me that is under any assumption that just because you’re no longer lost, that you and I are going to be together. I know how you feel about Lucifer, and I won’t be anyone’s second choice.”

My head jerks back, taken off guard by the hostility in those words. I’ve known this guy for about two seconds, and you’d think that I’d somehow insulted him by loving someone else.

“You have no right to be offended by my choice of whom to love.”

He groans. “I’m not offended, so stop screaming at me.” He starts pacing, and I can practically see the steam rolling from his ears. When he stops and turns toward me, I take a step back. When he sees my reaction, he takes a deep breath and drops the intense scowl he was just wearing. “My offense—as you put it—is only due to my sense of duty. It’s been my honor since birth to be the one intended to wed the princess. Not being able to fulfill that honor is an insult.”

“But I⁠—”

His hand raises, cutting me off. “Not one that you’ve imparted on me personally, but one the universe has bestowed nonetheless.” He kicks at the dirt. “Look, this is coming out all wrong. I don’t know you. You don’t know me. We’re not going to be together. That’s something I’m completely fine with on a personal level, but as far as my status goes, it’s a hit to the ego. All of this to say, I know I don’t owe you an explanation, but I can’t stand all the rumors. I’ve never cared to correct anyone, but I want you to know I’ve never touched her.”

My eyes widen, the conversation taking an unexpected turn.

“She’s tried for centuries, and I won’t lie and say that there hasn’t been temptation. You’re about to meet her. She’s a beautiful woman, Victoria, but because there was a chance that I might someday be forced to marry her daughter, I didn’t give in. It’s why I chose to live on Earth, instead of here, where I want to be.”

“Oh.” It’s all I can manage.

I didn’t expect such honesty from him. He’s right. He doesn’t owe me anything. But he continues on.

“It was growing harder to stop her advances, so I left. I have feelings for her. I won’t lie about that, but I’ve never acted on them.”

I stand here dumbfounded and unable to formulate a single word.

That was a lot of information. And probably one too many details. But I can tell it’s something that he needed to get off his chest.

River doesn’t strike me as the type to share, let alone overshare. So I appreciate that he trusted me with this.

“You’re right. You didn’t need to tell me any of that, River. I appreciate that you did. I’m sure it wasn’t easy.”