Theo and Katla adopted Keller? Why didn’t he say anything? He’s spoken so highly of them, but in a king and queen capacity, never as parental units. I just assumed he liked them as people, not as someone who has been there for him as a mother, as a father. Why did he hide that from me?
And the whole wanting to be king thing . . . Well, from the demons he’s been battling since we got together, even before we got together, I know that’s not what he wants. He’s told me many times—he knows his place, and it’s not with a crown on his head. But he’s made exceptions for me, so why has he kept it a secret?
There’s a knock at the door, and my head turns just as the door eases open, my heart hammering in my chest, willing it to be Keller.
But instead, it’s Lara.
“May I come in?” she asks.
“Of course,” I answer, grateful I’m wearing the pajama set Runa laid out for me. Maybe in some cosmic way, she knew tonight was going to happen, and I’d require clothes.
Lara slips into the room and shuts the door behind her before walking up to my bed and taking a seat. “How are you doing?”
“Not great,” I answer. “I’m assuming since you’re here, Keller told you what’s going on. Unless you got the text as well.”
“I didn’t get the text. But Keller did come to my room.”
I pause, the night rolling through my head. “Wait . . . did you send that text?”
Her eyes widen. “What? No. I’d never betray Keller and you like that.”
“You’re right; I’m sorry.” I shake my head. “When he left here, he made it seem like he knew who it was, and when you said he went to your room, I just assumed. I’m sorry.”
“No, that makes sense, and he does know who it is.”
“Who?” I ask. “Who would do that?”
“Brimar,” Lara says, her voice sad and full of shame simultaneously.
“Brimar?” I ask, shocked. Stunned. “That can’t be true.”
“Keller is right. Only two people in this world know the information in that text message. One of them is me, and the other is Brimar.”
“But . . . why? Why would he do something like that? Provoke Keller?”
“I wish I could tell you. He hasn’t said anything to me, but I feel so sick about it and embarrassed.”
“Why are you embarrassed? You didn’t do anything.”
“I know, but he’s my boyfriend and we’re attached, you know? That’s why I came here, because I wanted you to know I had nothing to do with the text, and I wanted to make sure you were okay. Keller said he didn’t really talk to you about anything.”
“He didn’t. He just left, and now I have no idea what’s going on.”
“Are you upset about the information? Do you believe it?”
I shake my head. “I don’t believe the part about Keller wanting the throne. From all the conversations we’ve had, I know that’s not the case with him. Am I upset about the adoption? No. I mean, do I wish he had told me something like that? Something so important? Of course I do, but I’m not upset about it. The text was mean-spirited and clearly meant to hurt Keller and play on all his insecurities, which in turn hurts me. But the information in that text, I’m not mad about that. I just wish he was here to talk to me. To hold me.”
“I understand that.” Lara reaches out her hand to me and I take it.
“Where is he now?”
Wincing, Lara tears her eyes away and says, “I think he’s going to confront Brimar. I begged him to do it in the morning, to not go, but he left my room without a word.”
“Where’s he headed?” I ask, worry etching up my spine.
“Where Brimar is, the Crowned Cod, a pub just outside of the palace walls, mainly patronized by Strombly staff.”
I flip the blankets off me and stand from the bed.
“What are you doing?” Lara asks.
“I’m going to go to the cod place.”
“Uh, no, you’re not,” Lara says.
Turning toward her, I say, “Lara, I need to speak to Keller. I need to stop him before he does something stupid. I don’t want him getting in a fight or . . . I don’t know . . . I just need to get to him.”
“That’s a terrible idea, and I truly care about you, Lilly, but I refuse to take you there.”
“Then I’ll go myself.”
“You won’t,” Lara says, standing as well. “Not only do you not belong in a place like the Crowned Cod, but it’ll ruin your welcoming tomorrow, which has been thoughtfully planned to make the best impression. If you show up at a pub the night before, rumors will spread, and it won’t be a good look. So many people are counting on tomorrow, so don’t ruin it out of a gut reaction.”