Broken Kingdom (Royal Hearts Academy, #4)

by Ashley Jade

“For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”

Whenever it rang, she perked up like the sun. As if his voice was the cure for all her pain.

“Love gives someone the power to break you…and if you give the wrong man that power…he’ll shatter your heart and ruin you.”

A whirlwind of emotions scatter across his face as he looks around the empty lake in disbelief, almost like he thinks he’s being punked.

The simple, single word comes out like a plea. As if he needs me.

She might love him now… But she loved me first. Even when I hated her.

Traces of you Traces of me What a beautiful tragedy we could be.

He utters my name like he’s on his last breath and I’m his lifeline.

Because she hurt me in ways she doesn’t remember… and I hurt her in ways I can’t forget.

“There’s plenty of shit people should apologize for in this world…but feelings should never be one of them.”

He makes it seem like my feelings for him are nothing more than a temporary storm cloud. But he’s wrong. They’re a typhoon. One that’s headed straight for him.

You can’t be friends with someone you’re in love with.

i felt that Oakley

Time feels like it stands still whenever I’m with him.

I’ve been so scared of dying…I haven’t been living.

I grip her waist. “I don’t dance.” But I do…for her.

she doesn’t look at you the way she looks at me.”

He whispers my name like a prayer and an oath. A promise that he’ll never hurt me. Never leave me.

Because right now? I see the whole entire universe and he’s at the very center of it.

All my senses spring to life with her sounds, scent, and touch until the only thing I see and breathe is her.

he tightens his hold on me, like I’m the only thing tethering him to this world.

The sound of someone sniffing has us both turning to Cole. Jace’s expression twists in horror. “Motherfucker, are you crying?” “Nah, man,” Cole says, rolling his shoulders back. “They got some onions up in this bitch or something.”

Jace grabs a burger off my desk and sits on my bed. “It was nice of him to bring refreshments.” Cole nods. “Word.” “This isn’t a joke,” I start to say but the sound of movement on the other side of the door snags my attention. Huffing, I open it. My jaw drops when I see Oakley setting up a sleeping bag outside my door. Holy hell. He’s officially lost it. “Are you out of your damn mind?” He casually plops down. “Nope.” “I don’t want you sleeping outside my room.” Oakley’s smug grin is pure arrogance. “Then invite me in.” I slam the door in his face for the second time. Cole props his feet up on my bed. “This just keeps getting better and better.” Jace takes a few of his fries. “Wonder what else he’ll do.” “Show’s over,” I grunt, ushering them away. “Oh, come on,” Cole whines. “It was just getting good.”

“I know you’ve been sleeping outside her dorm room for over three weeks now and she still won’t talk to you,” Dylan says. “But you have to hang in there.” Sawyer clutches her chest. “Even though it might not seem like it right now…Bianca still loves you.” Dylan nods. “And you still love her.” I take another bite of my pizza. Shit’s good. Sawyer closes her eyes. “I know awful things have happened, but you guys are meant for each other.” “You two are soul mates,” Dylan adds. Sawyer blinks like she has something in her eye. “Two crazy halves of the same heart.”

Cole turns back to us when Asher walks off. “I can’t believe my favorite football player is here tonight.” Sawyer rolls her eyes and smiles. “Funny, I could have sworn Tom Brady had brown hair.” Jace smirks. “Not to mention…a lot older.”

“There will never be anyone else. Just you.”

He’s an addiction I’ll never be able to kick.

Either the girl is tone deaf, or she’s seriously head over heels in love because she’s looking at Jace like he hung the moon.