Page 35 of Scarred Crown

Nick doesn’t say anything, and when his breathing evens out, I curse his ability to fall asleep before me. I release a sigh and stare into the darkness. The king needs to call soon, or I must discover a way to fortify my heart. Prince Nicholas isn’t getting a chance to hurt me again.

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Across the breakfast table, Nick’s gaze narrows. “You look like shit.”

“Wow. You’re a charmer this morning,” I mutter.

There’s a glint in his hazel eyes. “Please tell me you didn’t lay awake anticipating a bush pig invasion.”

The bush pigs ended up being the least of my worries. The man sitting across from me is twisting me into knots. “What’s on the agenda for today?”

“We’re driving to Ngorongoro Crater. We’ll spend the day there.”

“All day? Or will the afternoon be spent here?” Being in a vehicle all day with Nick might play havoc with my sanity. He blows so hot and cold, I’m never sure which version of him I’ll be subjected to.

“Bit of a drive, so we won’t be back here until the evening.” He drains the last of his coffee and searches his drawers for his clothes before disappearing into the bathroom.

I cut into my eggs and chew slowly. Technically, I’m ready except for finishing my food, but our itinerary is giving me pause.

When he comes out, he tucks all of his things into their proper places, grabs a backpack near the door, and unzips the entrance. “Don’t be late.”

“And if I am?” I ask, taking another bite and meeting his gaze.

“We’ll leave without you.” He shrugs and steps through the flap.

Once his footsteps have retreated, I drop my fork onto my plate and run my hands along my face. My glasses have gone missing, so I’m relying on my contacts. Has Nick hidden them? Are we still engaged in a tit-for-tat or are we beyond that?

At a glacial pace, I collect my things and check the bedside clock. Two minutes to meet him at the vehicle, or they’ll leave without me. Do I go for the day and risk getting closer to Nick? Or perhaps we’ll bicker the whole time, and the trip won’t be fun anyway?

I gather everything into my backpack and then sit at the breakfast table, the minutes ticking past on the bedside clock. Too much alone time with Nick is madness. Part of me is desperate to sink back into the easiness just on the edge of all our antagonist interactions. Our friendship dance is so familiar.

But the craters his absence left in my heart are covered with the thinnest skin. He dropped me like a barnacle from his back after kissing me. Every piece of our friendship became a lie.

I massage my temples with my fingers and search for clarity.

Seeing wild animals isn’t worth the potential heartache.

Once he’s gone, I’ll grab a book from the common area and try to forget I’ve let him down.

Nicholas

Kafil climbs into the driver’s seat, and I stare down the path, willing Julia to show up. Every time I check my watch, the heat of my frustration rises another notch. She’s unbelievable.

“Should we go?” Kafil asks, starting the vehicle.

I toss my backpack through the window onto a seat and let out a grunt of frustration. How hard is it to be on time? She ruined my morning yesterday and considering I asked Kafil to make the trip to the crater for Jules, I’m not leaving without her.

“I’ll be back in a tick.” I stride toward the path to our tent.

At the door, I take a deep breath because I’m about to unleash my temper if I don’t get a lid on it. I unzip the flap and storm in. Jules is sitting at the breakfast table, her backpack at her feet. In one swift movement, I swing her backpack over one shoulder and Jules over the other.

“Hey!” She slaps my side.

Her ponytail hits my legs while I haul her out of the tent firefighter style.

“Told you not to be late.” I force the zipper closed on the door.

“I know. I wasn’t going to come,” she cries. “Put me down.”