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I wanted to know what happened three years ago.
I spun around and pulled Christine away from the platform and through the glass doors. The protest died on her lips when she saw my expression. I dragged her away from my disappointed mother, the power-hungry crowd, and the expectations placed on both of our shoulders.
My mother tossed a scowl my way before positioning herself at the podium and waving at the crowd. Always the polished queen, ready to clean up my messes. I didn’t care what anyone thought. I was king, damnit. And it was time I claimed life like the royal I was.
Christine snapped her hand away from me once we were in the hallway. “What are you doing?”
Leo took a step toward us, but I held up my hand to stop him. “Leave us. If you follow me, I’ll send you back to the fucking countryside. My mother might have brought you back here, but I’m in charge.” He opened and closed his mouth. “And another thing. If you so much as breathe in my bride’s direction, I’ll break both your legs.”
Christine gasped, and Leo’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Yes, Your Majesty,” he grunted.
“August? What the bloody hell are you doing?” Christine’s voice was shrill and laced with confusion.
I turned to her, a storm brewing in my chest. “I’m doing what I should have done three years ago.”
She gasped when I reached for her wrist. The moment my fingers clasped around her, I started dragging her down the hallway. She was stiff in my hold but still shuffled her heels after me, her dress flowing behind her as I guided us to the end of the hall to the base of a dilapidated staircase no one used anymore.
“We used to play tag here, Christine. Do you remember?” I asked her while looking up at the entrance to our secret hideaway.
She shook her head. “We’re not children anymore. Is this why you dragged me away? We have responsibilities, August. This isn’t a game.”
“I’m not playing,” I rasped. “Run, Christine. I’ll catch you.”
She stared at me with those big, beautiful blue eyes of hers. I expected her to laugh at me, to ignore the tension simmering between us. She inhaled, her breasts rising so delicately I wanted to drag my teeth along the swell and ride her breaths.
“Why?”
I licked my lips. “I need this.”
“Why?”
I was a shit king and an even shittier friend. Villains didn’t get redemption. They got egos and destruction. I lowered my voice and ducked my head, my lips hovering just inches from hers. “You’ve been running from me for as long as I can remember. Let me catch you, love.”
Staring at her, I saw traces of innocence peppered somewhere behind the chill in her gaze. I knew Christine was still the girl I loved. Still the friend that I cared for.
And she was hurting.
I knew the moment she decided. The spark in her eyes gave her away. She gathered her dress up in her fist and, with a shuddering breath, sprinted up the stairs. I watched her for a moment, listening to the slam of her heels on the tile and devouring the sight of her blonde hair flowing behind her.
She paused to look over her shoulder at me, doubt crossing her features. I could practically see the questions forming in her soul.
This time I would chase my queen, and she would never doubt me again.
I sprinted after her and she ran harder up the winding staircase. Our harsh breaths echoed across the brick. She dragged her delicate fingers along the wall as she rounded another curve.
There was a time I knew everything about Christine Abernathy. Every nuance, every fear and joy. We used to count the steps leading up to this very tower, and I knew how long it would take her to get to the top.
She stumbled on a step, and I reached for her. A child-like giggle escaped her lips as she pulled herself back up and continued to run.
At the top of the tower, she paused to look around at the dusty space we used to roam. It was nothing more than a circular tomb for our childhood. A discarded board game sat scattered on the floor, and a pillow was propped up against the wall. We used to have slumber parties up here when we were little, pretending it was a camp out.
I grabbed her hips and walked us both toward the towering window. “You caught me,” she choked out between harsh breaths.
I pushed her against the glass. Below us, the crowd was still gathered, staring up at the castle and dreaming of a life where they had the world at their fingertips.
My world was standing in front of me, with a quivering lip, eyes full of secrets, and a body I wanted to bury myself inside of.
I stared at her, ready to ask the question that had been bothering me for three years. “Why did you leave?”
