The Reluctant King (The Star-Crossed Series) Read Online Free

“You try keeping this thing on straight. It’s impossible.”
                  “Huh,” Jericho mumbled thoughtfully.
    We caught up as I walked him to the room he would be staying in during the homecoming festival. We spoke every other week on the phone, but it wasn’t the same. Jericho and I had always been like girls with how much we talked to each other. It was kind of annoying. And kind of awesome at the same time. He wasn’t technically on salary, but he had been traveling all over the world, checking in on different settlements of Immortals. As much as I hated being King, we were all worried about another rebellion.
    For the most part the Kingdom seemed happy. But they had seemed happy with Lucan too. And I had never really gotten over the notion that there were others out there plotting Lucan’s downfall. My sister had been kidnapped by a rouge group of Immortals that wanted different leadership but the same kind of oppressive power. Those were the people that kept me stationary and willing to lead. I wasn’t prepared to let this people suffer under another dictator.
                  Jericho was one of the only people I trusted enough to report back the absolute truth and see through everyone else’s BS at the same time. And he was unattached and looking for a distraction. He was the perfect candidate.
                  “Jericho,” Talbott called from down the hall. He met us with a huge grin on his face and a handshake extended for Jericho. “It’s good to have you back.” Talbott’s Romanian accent rolled over his words, made even thicker by his excitement.
                  “Talbott,” Jericho replied carefully, taking his hand with extra precaution.
                  “What?” Talbott laughed, noticing Jericho’s skeptical eye.
                  “People aren’t used to it yet,” I explained, but by the curious looks both of them gave me I knew I had to use more words. “The happiness Talbott, people aren’t used to your smile.” I gestured to his olive skinned face where a big ass smile seemed way out of place next to his military haircut and thick neck bred for bodyguard positions like his.
                  Talbott let out a bark of laughter and I watched Jericho flinch from the sound. I smiled at Jericho’s uncomfortable attitude.
                  “It’s weird,” Jericho muttered, eying Talbott over again like he had been abducted by aliens. “It’s drugs isn’t it? You’re on drugs. The pressure finally got to you, didn’t it?”
                  “No, not drugs,” Talbott grinned wider. “It’s Lilly. Lilly finally said yes!”
                  “That’s great, man,” I laughed with him too and then turned to explain it to Jericho. “Talbott’s been trying to get Lilly to marry him for over a year now, but I think she’s been trying to keep her options open. Talbott must have finally worn her down.”
                  “It’s not that,” Talbott all but growled at me. There was the fun-loving guy everyone would remember. “She’s been nervous; she doesn’t want to be the first interracial couple to get married because she knows it will get a lot of attention. I don’t want the attention either, but we love each other, it’s silly to wait any longer.”
                  “Congratulations, Talbott,” Jericho replied, a huge grin spread wide across his face too. “That’s really exciting, I’m happy for you.”
                  “I’m happy for you too,” I offered and I really was.
                  “Only because this helps promote your life-style philosophy for the Kingdom,” Talbott called me out.
                  I laughed, knowing it was true. “That’s only part of the truth,” I admitted. “I really am happy for the two of you. I can’t wait to throw a big old shindig here just