“Is this a maiden name?” Mia asked.
“Yes. Well, maybe. I don’t know if she married.”
“When was she last seen?” Mia went on.
“Probably around the year I was born. 1990.”
“Is this your mother, Señor?” Mia asked.
“Yes. My name is David.”
Katy stayed silent while Mia and David spoke. She was excited and nervous for David. But mostly she was grateful that she hadn’t lost the opportunity to help him in his search. Without her parents’ support, Katy never would’ve been able to afford a world-class private investigator like Mia Cantor.
“David, I need everything that you can provide. Your birth certificate, her birth certificate, her last-known whereabouts, a physical description, photos if you have them, everything. Do you think you could get that together and scanned into an email?”
David paused. “I think so. It might take a few days.”
“The sooner the better. I have another case that might require me to leave the country soon. But I can get started today if you can get me this information.”
“Okay,” David replied quickly. “I can get everything over to you.”
“Good. The princess has my email address. Until then, David and Princess. Adiós.”
And then, as quickly as she had showed back up in Katy’s life, Mia was gone. David and Katy were silent in her wake; so silent that Katy could hear the hydrogen peroxide in her hair fizzing. Everything that they were doing suddenly seemed so small and ordinary compared to the possibilities that were in front of them.
“I have to call Joseph,” David said anxiously. “He might have Jeanine’s documents. Maybe more pictures and an exact date that she went missing.”
David stood abruptly and began to pace in the bathroom behind Katy. She turned to face him.
“David, go,” she said. “It’s okay. I know how important this is. I can finish my hair and send you Mia’s email address.”
David looked over at Katy gratefully. “Are you sure? I hate to leave you . . . purple.”
Katy smirked. Even during times of great stress, David still had good humor. “I’m sure. Go call Joseph. I’m meeting with the president after this, and then we’ll figure out our movie plans.”
David raced over to Katy and kissed her hard, pressing against her with a force and suddenness that took her breath away. He reached up and held both sides of her face with his strong hands. “Thanks, Katy. I’ll call you soon!”
Then he was gone, leaving Katy in a daze.
She looked back at her phone. She had a couple more hours until her meeting with the Harvard president. And that was good, in a way, since she needed that time to finish her hair. But it was also a huge pain. Especially when she had so much on her mind.
* * *
Her meeting with the college president was mercifully brief, probably because Katy hadn’t wanted to sit down and plan a whole semester of “private classes” with the man, insisting on taking the same classes that everyone else did. As she walked through his secretary’s office and then out into the Harvard administration building, Katy thought about the upcoming semester. In a couple more weeks, students would be flocking back to Cambridge to continue their studies. Many of them, if not most, would know her identity. And Katy was going to need to find a way to deal with them.
The president had been quick to offer private or online courses, but Katy was firmly against that. She might as well be back in Lorria with a tutor if she wasn’t going to be benefiting from the classroom environment. Besides, Katy had lived her whole life in the public eye. Even though she didn’t want to, she was fairly certain that she could handle the media circus again.
And it’d be a lot easier with David by her side. Well . . . as long as he didn’t mind getting caught up in the frenzy.
She walked on through the cold Harvard Yard, passing the road that led to her house on her way to the Wolf Club. David had texted during her meeting to tell her that he had sent the email to Mia—and asked Katy to come by when she was done.
After a short walk, she let herself into the shared house and then made her way up the stairs to David’s room. As she walked down the hall, the inviting aroma of buttered popcorn filled up the air around her, making her mouth water.
Katy turned at the open door and looked in. David was standing alone inside, a big bowl of popcorn beside him on the desk and an assortment of DVDs and candies tossed about his bed. He grinned.
“Ta-da!” he said with a flourish, gesturing to his scattered provisions. “If we can’t go to the cinema, then we’ll bring the cinema to us. I have a whole selection of movies here, from arthouse to chick flick. Your pick!”
Katy’s heart surged. “You put all this together?” It might’ve seemed like a small gesture, but to Katy it meant much more than just movies and candy. It meant that David really accepted her, including her drawbacks. He was willing to work with the limitations that her situation brought upon them. He was willing to have fun with them.
“Well . . . yeah. I mean, you’re my girlfriend.”
Girlfriend. I’m David’s girlfriend! It still didn’t feel real. But it filled her with such a contentment and happiness.
Katy crossed the room to David in a few quick strides and practically tackled him in an embrace. Pressing herself against him, her hands climbed from his chest to his neck to reach up and curl her fingers into his dark locks, pulling his face down to meet hers. She kissed him with an unbridled passion that shocked even her, letting all her gratitude and pent-up desire pour itself hungrily out in that kiss.
David’s lips parted, perhaps more in shock at Katy’s fierceness than anything, and Katy felt her tongue exploring David’s mouth, connecting the two of them in as intimate a way as she had ever experienced before.
After a moment it seemed that David finally regained control of his senses, because his arms wrapped around Katy’s waist to press her even more tightly against his impressive form. The heat of his body through his T-shirt, the strength of his arms holding her, filled Katy with a yearning for more, a reckless abandon that made her want to experience things with David that she had never known before. Her lips still moving on his, she found herself spinning off into fantasies about exploring more of his body, slipping her fingers under the hem of that T-shirt, pushing him backward onto the nearby bed . . . maybe even taking off some of her own clothes . . .
But maybe that could wait a little longer than two days into their relationship.
“Wow,” David said softly when Katy finally released him, his lips red and full from sudden blood flow. “You must really like movies.”
“I really like you, silly.” Katy leaned forward to kiss David again, her touch softer and more princess-like this time.
“I really like you, too. And I can’t thank you enough for your help. Mia said she’d start on the case today. Joseph couldn’t believe it.” David’s eyes twinkled with excitement. “Not that I told him everything. Just the things he needed to know.”
“Of course,” Katy demurred. She was moved by David’s willingness to keep her secret, even though it didn’t seem to matter much anymore. They’d all know soon. Even David’s family. What a thought.
“Now . . . about these movies,” David started.
Katy grinned. She already knew that she’d pick horror, for the simple fact that it would give her an excuse to get as close to David as possible for the next ninety minutes. And that was exactly where she wanted to be.
Close to David. Right beside him.
46
Cassie
“So did you know?”
Cassie grinned. “Duh, Michelle. We weren’t lying about being best friends. We’re cousins.”
Michelle was sitting on the couch beside her, staring with a wide-eyed smile, obviously deeply entrenched in the gossip. “Oh, I just can’t believe Katy is a princess!”
Cassie nodded. She supposed that she would be getting this a lot in the coming weeks: con
versations that inevitably steered toward Katy. She might as well get used to it. Well, it wasn’t that different from the rest of her life, anyway.
“So if you guys are cousins, what does that make you? Like a duchess or something?” Michelle asked.
You’d think that, wouldn’t you?
“Nope, I’m just common folk technically. But my parents are ambassadors. So I guess that counts for something,” Cassie replied. She was used to being asked that question. It barely bothered her anymore.
As a child, of course, it had been different.
As a child, Cassie had often been sent to the palace for long periods of time while her parents “worked,” although to her it seemed more like they were partying and taking lavish vacations without their daughter. But she hadn’t minded too much at first. The palace in Northern Lorria was beautiful, and she learned to ski on its slopes. And the summer home in Southern Lorria was just as wonderful, with acres of sweet-smelling vineyards and a stable with Arabian horses. And of course, Katy had been her best friend. Even when they were very little.
But slowly, things changed. Cassie began to realize that Katy’s things were nicer than hers, and Katy was constantly getting new toys and dresses. Of course, the king and queen were kind to Cassie. They gifted her things as well. But nothing like the princess had. Katy had furs and tiaras and humongous rooms full of playthings. But, most importantly, Katy had parents. And Cassie felt like she didn’t.
Then, as they grew up, Katy started to get a lot of attention from boys. She was such a beauty, really. She had big, pretty eyes and a delicate nose and full, cupid’s bow lips. Her long blonde hair shone like spun gold. When she smiled, the whole room would light up. And when she frowned, people flocked to her aid.
Cassie had always felt left out. And as a kid, it had really hurt. She had spent long hours crying as a young girl because she didn’t have parents or new toys or boys oohing and awing over her. But now, as a young woman, she had gotten past all that. It didn’t matter anymore.
“Well,” Michelle went on, pulling her from her thoughts, “you are so lucky that you got to grow up like that.”
Cassie smiled half-heartedly. So lucky. That’s what they all say.
“So do you want to watch a movie or something?” her roommate asked, finally changing the subject after their long conversation about Katy.
Cassie glanced down at her phone to check the time. She only had five minutes before her call. Michelle would have to wait.
“Can you give me half an hour or so? I have something I need to do really quick.”
“Yeah, sure,” Michelle replied. “I’ll just start looking at titles to see if I can find something good.”
“Okay, see you in a bit,” Cassie finished.
She stood from her seat and walked upstairs to her room. Once she got inside, she shut and locked the door to be safe. Katy probably wasn’t coming home anytime soon, since she was busy with David, but Cassie didn’t want to be interrupted.
David. Just another boy in a long line of people who had spurned Cassie for Katy. But she was beyond all of that now.
Cassie sat at her desk and opened her laptop. She pulled up her video chat function and redialed the last number she had called. It only rang for a few seconds. Then the pompous tone of a middle-aged woman answered. To her, the dramatic tone sounded like nails on a chalkboard.
“Well,” the woman said. “We almost thought you wouldn’t make our meeting today.”
“I’d never disrespect your time like that, My Queen,” Cassie replied.
The king and queen were sitting in the king’s study, dressed in the casual luxury that had always annoyed Cassie. We get it! You’re rich! But do you have to wear tassels and silks when you’re just walking around your own house?
“Of course you wouldn’t disrespect our time, Cassie. Just the very future of our country,” the queen retorted.
“Now, now, Margery,” the king said gently to his wife. But when he turned to Cassie again, his eyes were sharp in admonishment. “Although she does have a point, Cassie. You’re not holding up your end of our bargain. We’re quite concerned.”
“My King,” Cassie began. But she was cut off.
“Tell me why we’re even having a conversation with you right now, Cassie,” the queen said, her voice even more dramatic than usual. “Your best laid plans have fallen into ruin, and we’re worse now than we were when we started our little deal. What could you possibly have to say to us? Did you not see what happened in Lorria? Not only did Katy not choose any of the suitors, you allowed her to bring a boy here. Some orphaned commoner!”
“Margery, let’s hear her out,” the king said, trying to calm his aggravated wife. He turned to Cassie expectantly.
“I tried to keep them apart,” Cassie said. “Trust me, My King and Queen, I knew they had a connection from the moment they met. I tried to assert a claim before Katy could develop any feelings.” Cassie maintained her cool, breathing evenly and keeping eye contact. As a child, being yelled at by the king and queen had felt earth-shattering. But now she was wiser. Besides, they need me.
“Well, you failed,” the queen said. “It’s over. The deal is off.”
Over? It’s not over until I say so.
Granted, she had messed up with David. With the Wolf Club party, specifically. She’d suggested that she and Katy go that night, only because she knew Katy definitely wouldn’t want to, given her foul mood. Katy had stayed back as expected, so that had been fine. But then Cassie had gone and gotten a little too drunk, which was where the problems had started. If she hadn’t gone overboard at the Wolf Club, David and Katy might never have crossed paths.
But a girl had to let her hair down sometimes, didn’t she? Cassie couldn’t blame herself for that. Combined with her Harvard studies, she had been working hard—taking every opportunity to carry out the king and queen’s wishes. Heck, she even went so far as to seed rumors in Katy’s drama group to try to put her off going, as the club seemed like an unnecessary risk for her to get close to guys, with all that opportunity for role play and whatnot.
Cassie cleared her throat. “I know how important Katerina’s betrothal is to you, My King and Queen. I humbly apologize for this turn of events. But if you’ll allow me to explain, I think you’ll agree that we can still rectify our situation.”
The king and queen stared at Cassie wordlessly, their doubt apparent in their eyes. But Cassie had reminded them what was at stake. I’m your best bet to get Katy hitched and stay in power. So you don’t really have a choice, my royal pains in the ass.
“How can you possibly fix this? Your best chance would’ve been to reunite Katerina and Alexei, which somehow you mangled,” the queen replied.
True, that hadn’t gone the way Cassie intended. When Alexei had sent word that he was coming to visit Katy, she’d concealed the letter so that Katy wouldn’t discourage his arrival or know to avoid him. After all, if Katy got married and left Harvard, then Cassie would’ve fulfilled her end of the bargain. And then she’d get what she really wanted from the king and queen. But as soon as Alexei had arrived, Cassie had realized how hopeless that situation was. Alexei was a brute. And Katy wouldn’t be swayed. So she knew that the plan for reunification was useless.
That was when she’d had to start getting creative. Not that she minded that a bit. A little challenge could be fun.
“Alexei wasn’t a suitable match in personality, with all due respect,” Cassie said coolly. “No matter what I did, Katy wouldn’t have gone back to him. The suitor plan was our best option at that point.”
“Yes, and how are suitors supposed to woo our Katerina if she brings along a gentleman friend?” the king asked, his voice sharpening slightly.
“That was my mistake. He wasn’t supposed to come. But if I had pressed too hard and made Katy leave him behind, I would’ve lost her confidence.”
Ha! Like Cassie really cared about Katy’s “confidence.” But she couldn’t arouse too much susp
icion. Otherwise Katy wouldn’t take her advice any longer, and she couldn’t very well have that, not when she was having so much fun trying to quietly, softly, gently sway the princess to her whims.
“Then what is your plan now?” the queen asked in frustration.
Cassie smiled. “Simple. We just need to show Katy how unsuitable a match David is.”
“And how do you propose that we do that?” the king asked.
“I am already hard at work on this phase of the plan, My King and Queen,” Cassie replied. “I won’t bore you with the details. But suffice it to say that Katy will soon be heartily convinced that David isn’t a proper match. And, with a little more time, I think I can convince her that a timely marriage would be in her best interest.”
“Well, your plan had better work this time, Cassie,” the queen said. “Otherwise the deal is off, and you won’t get your new title.”
“And keep in mind that we are running out of time,” the king finished. “So work quickly and don’t disappoint us.”
With that, the video chat switched off.
Cassie sat and stared at the laptop screen for a while, considering what they had just discussed. She didn’t mind that the king and queen thought she was failing, really. That was the way it should be. You should always make your enemies think that they have the upper hand because they’re smarter or cleverer or quicker. Because then they don’t see you as much of a threat. And when people don’t see you as a threat, they let their guard down.
It was why Katy was constantly whining about her made-up problems to Cassie. Katy thought Cassie was some dumb, well-meaning girl with boy problems and insecurities. It made her relatable and pathetic, didn’t it? Easy to talk to. Easy to feel better than. Sweet, stupid Katy.
And it was why the king and queen thought she was failing now. Of course, things had taken a bit of a turn. Cassie hadn’t been in control for a while there, and that had bothered her. She always needed to be in control. Obviously. But she had adapted and overcome, just like with everything else in her trying life, and now she was back in control. The royals could think whatever they wanted. Cassie no longer bothered herself with the opinions of imbeciles.
A Love that Endures Page 41