The Reluctant King (The Star-Crossed Series) by Rachel Higginson Page B

Besides, they were seasoned veterans at this and knew what they were doing. And if they didn’t check in with me in a few hours I would call them and get a status report from them, probably just in time for a “fulfill your destiny” speech from Gabriel.
                  I stood leaning against the doorjamb for a few beats watching all of the activity at the breakfast table. Usually I spent breakfast alone, so I could collect my thoughts before I faced the throne room and all the duties that I faced on a daily basis. If I could help it, I did my best to avoid even uttering a sentence until I was permanently rooted in the seat I would spend all day in. This morning would be different and I didn’t find myself minding.
                  Eden and Kiran sat together giving each other the googly eyes I had been positive would wear off over at least a year ago. Talbott and Lilly were no better, and as much as it made my stomach clench in disapproval, I was afraid Jericho and Amelia were doing the same thing. Seraphina was the only remaining loner and I realized that if Sebastian sat here she would be mimicking the love struck motions too. The whole thing was like a kick in the shin.
                  Damn, when did everyone go and get paired up and leave me behind?
                  Not that I wanted to be paired up.
                  Especially now, when I would have to leave at a moment’s notice and possibly be gone and in dangerous situations for months at a time….
                  No girl would want to be left behind. Plus, when I finally decided I would let a girl into my world, I would be a freaking fantastic boyfriend and demand that she stay home so she wouldn’t get hurt in the crossfire, of some life or death situation.
                  Also, why was I getting so excited about the prospect of a near-future fight?
                  There might be something wrong with my brain.
                  Just a thought.
                  “How did you sleep last night, E?” I asked as I took my place at Eden’s right across from Kiran and directly next to Seraphina.
                  Seraphina might be high maintenance and I would never envy Sebastian for putting up with all her crazy, but the girl smelled good. I leaned into grab a croissant across the table and inhaled thinking I myself might have a good mixture of crazy in me.
                  Or maybe I was way lonelier than I gave myself credit for.
                  “Not well,” she admitted, turning her concerned black eyes on me.
                  “Do you remember anything?” I asked, knowing without a doubt we had the same dream.
                  “Not a thing,” she answered and I nodded so that she knew it was the same for me.
                  “Uh, this is getting gross,” Seraphina cut a disgustingly suggestive glance at me and then at Kiran making Eden burst into laughter.
                  “There is something so wrong with you, Sera!” Eden threw a piece of bacon making Seraphina squeal and toss it at Amelia.
                  Amelia deflected with a bagel and then eyed the offensive piece of meat like it was a snake.
                  “Ugh you know meat grosses me out,” she complained in a teasing voice.
                  “I know you need to get over it and start dating,” Seraphina countered and my ears perked up while I took a sip of steaming hot coffee.
                  “That is so not the meat I was referring to,” Amelia laughed and I found myself choking on my coffee.
                  “You alright there, Avalon?” Seraphina asked, ignoring Amelia’s attempts at innocent.
                  “Just fine,” I wheezed. I stared Amelia down, waiting for her to apologize for or shy away from