He smirks. “I said it was the first time I saw you…not the first time we spoke.”

Oh. I always thought I was the one who noticed him first.

That uneasy look in his eyes is back. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately.”

I brace myself for impact. “About?”

“Us.” He runs his thumb over my knuckle. “The future.”

“Okay.”

“Do you remember when we used to exchange notes with dares on them?”

Of course I do.

“Yeah, they’d have to be completed by the end of the upcoming week or you lost.” I give him a smug smile. “I never lost, by the way.”

“I know.” He pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket and hands it to me. “I’m hoping you continue your winning streak.”

Confused, I unfold the paper.

My heart constricts when I see what’s written on it.

I dare you to move in with me.

“Are you serious? Like into your house?”

He grins. “No. Into an apartment…our apartment. I found three I think you’d like that are less than five minutes from Duke’s. I talked to the land—”

“Wait, what? You went apartment hunting?”

He nods. “That’s what I’ve been doing the last two days.” He blows out a heavy breath. “I know you were planning on dorming and I didn’t want to take that experience away from you, but I’m a selfish prick.” He crosses his arms. “I want to be the first one to see you when you wake up. Not some stupid roommate—whoa, what’s happening? Why are you crying?”

“I thought you were breaking up with me,” I choke out, wiping my tears with my sleeve.

He makes a face. “Breaking up with you? What the hell? Baby, why would I ever break up with you?”

“I don’t know, asshole. You said we needed to talk and then you pretty much ghosted me for two days.”

“I did not ghost you. You said you were busy.”

“I’m never too busy for you.” I twine a blade of grass around my finger. “I just had to get ready for my first semester of college. It’s a big deal, you know?”

“Yeah, I do.” He pulls out another piece of paper. “I’ll be seeing you around on campus.”

My mouth drops open. “I thought you said you didn’t want to go to college?”

He shrugs. “I didn’t, but then I figured getting a BA in computer science might not be a bad idea. It’s only part-time, so I’ll still have plenty of time to work on video games.” He tips my chin. “And for you.”

That happy, fuzzy feeling is back in my chest again. “I love you.”

Dipping his head, he kisses the hollow of my throat. “Is that a yes?”

“Are you kidding? That’s a hell yes. Of course, I’ll move in with you.”

The relief on his face is apparent. “Good. Because I set up meetings with the landlords this afternoon.”

My stomach sinks like quicksand. “I can’t move in with you.”

He blanches. “The fuck you can’t. Why?”

It’s almost laughable that I forgot how broke I am. “I don’t have any money. I only got a partial scholarship to Duke’s. The rest is all loans—”

“You don’t have to pay for anything.” He kisses me slow and sweet and my heart swoops down to my toes. “I’ve got you. Always.”

“But I’m not a mooch.”

“No, you’re not. You’re mine.” His thumb strokes the edge of my jaw. “And I take care of what’s mine—what the hell?”

My eyes widen in shock as a blue butterfly lands on Jace’s nose.

Jace, however, doesn’t seem to share my sentiments. I stop him when he tries to swat it away.

“Dylan, there’s a butterfly…on my fucking face.”

My throat prickles as I recall what Sawyer told me that day in the graveyard.

“Jace.” I wait for him to look at me before I whisper, “Butterflies appear when angels are near.”

Preorder Ruthless Knight here

Royal Hearts Academy

Series Order:

Cruel Prince (Jace’s Book)

Ruthless Knight (Cole’s Book)

Wicked Princess (Bianca’s Book)

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Resources

Help is only a phone call or e-mail away.

* * *

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Call 1-800-273-8255

Available 24 hours everyday.

* * *

Website: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Chat: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/

* * *

If you or anyone you know is are struggling, I urge and I beg you to reach out.

You are never alone.

Acknowledgments

There's honestly no way I can possibly thank each and every one of you. You’re all amazing and I can’t do any of this without you. I’m also praying I didn’t leave anyone vital out, because man, that would suck.

I won’t go into how Devil’s Advocate was the hardest book for me to write, or how risky it was because I knew where this story was going back when I wrote The Devil and how I know if I had spilled early readers would have jumped ship. For those who stayed and didn’t give up on my vision—thank you. For those who loved it despite it being what you thought it would be—you have a piece of my heart. For those who loved it AND shared with others how much you did—you have a piece of my soul.

* * *

Kristy: I can’t thank you enough. Thank you for letting helping me out of my creative spiral and letting me talk and plot your ear off and untangling my brain when I was going crazy. I’m pretty sure I’d still be sitting at my desk having a panic attack over whether or not I could put my big girl panties on, pull the trigger, and write the damn story if it wasn’t for you. And that was just with the Devil. With Advocate you went above and beyond. There will never be a way to thank you that would do it justice, so just accept my lifetime of gratitude. This book wouldn’t have been finished without you, and I can’t thank you enough for not only being my right hand cheerleader, but bringing a special voice to Kristy. I’m sorry about killing you though.

Ellie: I love your face. I’m keeping you. Thank you for everything. I know it’s not easy working with my schedule and I know I probably drive you crazy. Even though you claim I don’t. I don’t know many editors who will do what you did for me. I love the crap out of you and I’m so thankful. Also, #PiranhaBlowJobsForTheWin

Brandi, Vickie, Jackie, Crystal, Rebecca, Mary, Dee (Chief Trejo), Jodie, and Kris.