by Leigh Walker
“There, there; stop scratching. You’ll get blotchy. Let me grab my things, and we’ll go and see the crew. It’ll be fine, I promise you.”
But Rhys still looked wretched as he followed me to the lobby, where he waited while I changed my gown and brushed my teeth. When I came down the stairs, he was pacing, still tugging at his shirt. He stopped moving and gaped at me when I reached him. “You look lovely, Lady Layne.”
I shrugged as if the stunning fitted deep-plum gown I’d chosen was no big deal. “Oh, thanks. This is old, but it looks good on camera.”
“It looks good on you.” He didn’t stop staring.
“Don’t be silly,” I said. But I didn’t really mean it. I’d put this dress on hoping he’d stare.
What on earth is going on with me? Something had been tugging at my insides since I’d seen the castle the night before and visited the rooms where the other girls would be sleeping. There was an unfamiliar feeling in the pit of my stomach as we left the foyer and found the camera crew setting up near the front drive.
From down the hill, Mira waved us over. “Your Highness! Tamara! A quick word, please!”
Mira wore a black jumpsuit with a metallic sheen, sky-high silver sandals, dark, dramatic eye shadow, and bright-pink lipstick. She looked beautiful and more than a little intimidating. The new girls were going to be petrified. “Rhys, so glad to see you managed to keep your shirt on. Tamara”—she air-kissed me on each cheek—“you look divine. I was going to put you in a different gown but that one’s just perfect. Good work.”
She released me and gestured to the long driveway. “Let me briefly explain what’s going to happen this morning. This is initial footage. Once Rhys takes the girls aside and tells them what he is, one or all of them might flee. Are you sure you won’t rethink your plan, Your Highness?”
He tugged at his collar a bit more violently. “I’d love to rethink all of it right about now.”
Mira tsked. “Now, now; don’t get agitated. This is your big day, and everything’s going to be just perfect. I got word at first light that the contestants will be arriving in about two hours, which is ahead of schedule. They’ll already be dressed and freshened up for the show. From what I’ve heard from their chaperones, they’re very excited.”
I doubted that. The day we’d arrived for The Pageant, most of the girls had been clueless and terrified. I expected that these new contestants would be similarly situated—out of their element in the North, nervous about meeting the bachelor king, and uncomfortable being in front of the cameras.
“What we’re going to accomplish this morning is simple,” Mira continued. “I want to film you greeting each of the girls, Rhys. We’ll save Tamara for last. Then we’ll pack the equipment up and move everything over to the Realm. Once we’re there, I’ll have you escort each of the candidates into the castle and show them around, including their rooms. Then we’ll wrap up filming for the day, but our work won’t be done just yet. You need to get used to this pace—it’s going to be eighteen-hour days at least.”
Rhys threw up his hands. “You don’t own me from dawn till dusk, woman. I need to hunt.”
Mira stepped closer to the werewolf, her eyes even with his. “I told you that this was a full-time commitment. The settlers are waiting for this show, and we are going to deliver it to them, and fast. That’s what the king wants, and that’s what I want. I expect you to have a better attitude. If you don’t want to be here, the girls will feel it. You have to put forth the effort, Rhys.”
He frowned, but he didn’t argue further. “Yes, Mira.”
“What else needs to happen today?” I asked.
“His Highness is going to have to pull the girls aside one by one and tell them about his supernatural abilities. And then we’ll see who flees and who remains. After that, I will deliver the standard contest expectations-and-guidelines chat in the game room. I will give all of you an idea of the timeline and what to expect.”
“What can I expect, Mira? How long will the contest run?” She’d been avoiding me for weeks, and I was certain that was because she didn’t want to share too many details, least I complain about them all.
She gave me a tight smile. “I’ll tell you when we all get together later, all right? I can’t be favoring you and giving you spoilers; that would give you an advantage over the other girls. Now it’s showtime. Please take His Highness to hair and makeup, and see to it that he doesn’t nip at anyone. I’ll call you when we’re ready.”
Rhys muttered and growled under his breath as I led him to the tent where we’d be brushed, plucked, and painted. I didn’t make out much of what he said except, “This better bloody well be worth it.”
“It will.” I smiled at him and felt satisfied when his expression softened. “I promise.”
Hair and makeup completed, I stood off to the side with the rest of the crew and watched as the caravan of SUVs pulled into the drive. Rhys fidgeted next to Mira. There were four separate cars. Each girl likely had a private ride from her settlement, complete with her own vampire security guard, and it could well be her first time seeing a vampire face-to-face. Needless to say, these candidates might be feeling disturbed. Many of the girls who’d arrived the first day of The Pageant had been wildly, almost comically out of their league. I hadn’t felt sorry for them, of course, and I wouldn’t feel sorry for these girls. A person had to rip off the supernatural Band-Aid at some point in order to live in the real world.
I was expecting the contestants to be, at a minimum, rattled. So no one was more surprised than I when, after the cars parked, four stylish, stunning, composed young women stepped out. I quickly observed each of their faces. Not one of them had been crying, and no one appeared upset. In fact, they looked around happily, taking in the lush North with excited expressions on their faces. When they fixed their gazes on Rhys, tall and blazingly handsome, they looked as though they’d reached the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
I felt that unease in the pit in my stomach again. If I hadn’t known what was troubling my sleep the night before, it became clear to me as the first contestant was greeted by Mira. The girl had flawless coffee-colored skin, tawny hair that rolled in waves down her back, and a body that clearly benefited from not only unfairly advantaged genes but a punishing workout schedule as well. She wore a simple loose-fitting pale-pink gown that skimmed her curves. I tasted acid as Rhys beamed at the girl then bowed deeply before her.
“Your Highness, this is Maya Briones, from Settlement 8.”
Maya was one of the middle-class girls, but there was nothing average about her. She bowed to Rhys, and when she rose, she beamed at him then leaned closer to say hello. Rhys’s eyes almost popped out of his head with the gorgeous girl so near, and I felt my hands clench into fists.
Rose, Mira’s assistant, came and guided Maya off to the side. I would have relaxed, but contestant number two was on her way to meet the king. She was just as bad as Maya, only in a different way. This girl had creamy pale skin and thick auburn hair she wore loose over her shoulders. She was curvier than the other girls, with lush hips and a round, high bust. I thought I saw Rhys wipe drool from the corner of his mouth. Everything about the redhead was simple but perfect—her classic pale-vanilla gown, her flawless complexion, and her nude sandals that I personally knew had cost a small fortune. The only thing that showed the slightest bit of tawdriness was the fact that her ample chest was spilling out of the top of her dress, but Rhys didn’t seem to mind that in the least as he swept into a deep bow.
“I’m pleased to announce Joely Raine from Settlement 12,” Mira said, sounding pleased with herself, as Rose led Joely away from the king.
So the hot redhead was the rich girl from the settlement next to mine. Maybe I’d been hanging around with Rhys too much, but I fought an urge to growl. I looked over to see the next nightmare-in-waiting, contestant number three. She was stunning, a bit taller and more athletic looking than the other girls. She had high cheekbones, gorgeous fu
ll lips, dark skin, a stylishly cropped pixie haircut, and biceps to die for. Where did they find these girls? I hated them all. She wore a daring black strapless minidress that showcased her perfect perky breasts and a pair of toned legs that went on for miles. I was practically seething by the time she bowed to Rhys. For his part, he looked like the cat that had just been gifted a scrumptious canary.
“Your Highness, it’s my honor to introduce Thalia Atkins, from Settlement 18,” Mira said. Thalia was also middle class but looked like a high-end model who only drank the finest champagne and subsisted solely on caviar hand-delivered by subservient lovesick suitors.
I was positively fuming by the time I got a good look at contestant number four. She did nothing to ease the acid in my stomach. She was Asian, with pore-less alabaster skin and straight shiny black hair that hung halfway down her back. She wore a high-end skintight aqua-and-gold-sequined gown and spiked gold heels. She was very toned and had perfect glutes, the kind you could balance a teacup on. Am I imagining it, or is Rhys smacking his lips? I looked closer and saw that her makeup was dewy and fresh, accentuating her gorgeous dark eyes, pouty lips, and square chin.
I hated her. I hated all of them.
Mira beamed at contestant four then motioned her forward. “This is Dae Phillips, from Settlement 23.” Settlement 23 was one of the poorest settlements in the nation, but Dae didn’t look like someone who’d grown up there. She was healthy and fit, and her clothes, hair, and makeup were to die for.
Mira had groomed these girls long before they’d gotten here. Note to self: slap Mira when you get a chance. These were not the sweet, petrified doe-eyed young girls I’d been prepared for. They were as beautiful as any royal, their makeup was flawless, and they wore designer clothing. They were here to fight for Rhys, and they looked prepared. I’d been expecting Bambi; I’d gotten Bridezilla.
I forced myself to uncurl my fists and practice yoga breathing as Rhys and Dae eye snogged each other. He looked down her dress when she bowed. I never.
“And last but not least, we have our final contestant, Lady Tamara Layne, who hails from Settlement 11.” Mira beamed and motioned for me to come closer. I stuck my chest and behind out and smiled with more energy than I’d believed myself to still possess.
When I reached Rhys, his eyes lit up. “Lady Layne.” He smiled widely at me.
I smiled widely back. “Your Highness,” I said, certain to keep my voice low enough that the microphones couldn’t record it, “did you handpick these candidates?”
His grin faltered a little. “Yes.”
I’d had more practice at this than him. My smile stayed intact. “Then I am going to make your life a living hell, Your Highness.”
Initiation
Rose came for me, but Rhys held up a hand to stop her. “Tamara, please.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
He looked at the cameras then back at me, clearly uncomfortable. “Never mind. I’ll speak to you when I see you inside, my lady.”
I tossed my hair. “Can’t wait.” I strode off before he said anything else.
Rose linked her arm through mine as the scene director yelled, “Cut!” Rose pushed her glasses up on her nose, leaning toward me conspiratorially. “The new girls are a bit much, aren’t they?”
“What did Mira do to them?” I kept my voice low but couldn’t disguise my indignation. “I was expecting a bunch of scared newbs, but they look—they look prepared. Schooled, even.” My gaze drifted to the stylish candidates again, who stood in a small group near the crew. They were huddled, probably comparing notes about the king.
“Mira said that she wanted girls who were ready to compete. This is going to be a whirlwind of a show,” Rose confided. “Once she narrowed the field, she had the acquisition team interview each candidate with the directive of finding sophisticated free thinkers who were also incredibly good-looking. Many of the young women who competed in The Pageant were unworldly and shy, but you won’t find that with this lot.”
The four girls eyed us, probably wondering what sort of inside information Rose was sharing with me. Good. Let them sweat it.
“Tamara.” Dae waved at me. “Please come over. We’d love to meet you.”
“Go on, then.” Rose motioned toward them with her chin. “Go and walk the candidate plank.”
As I closed the gap to the little group, I formed a plan. I was going to put them in their place and keep them there. “Good morning.” I dropped into a flawless curtsy. “I’m so glad that you could join us in the North and in the Realm.”
“Us?” Maya peered behind me, her long locks flowing. “Is there someone else?”
I grimaced on the inside. “I meant myself, the crew, the royals, and of course, King Rhys.”
Maya’s face was coolly challenging. “Are you authorized to speak on his behalf?”
The other girls looked back and forth between us.
“You might remember that I’m a Goodwill Ambassador and a member of the royal court. I’m the king’s liaison to the Realm.” I squared my shoulders. “So yes, I’m authorized to welcome guests here. I’ve lived in the Northern castle for months now, if you must know. I’m quite at home here.”
“If that’s true, His Highness would’ve already chosen you if he was interested.” Maya looked me up and down. “Looks like she’s a tourist, girls. Or they’re just trotting her out because people remember her from that other show.”
One of the girls coughed; the other two looked at their feet.
I took a step closer. “I’m sorry, what was your name again?”
Maya smoothed the tendrils of hair on either side of her face, running her long lacquered nails through them. “Maya Briones, Settlement 8.”
I snapped my fingers. “Right, of course—that’s why you’re such a troll!” Maya looked like she might scratch my eyes out, but I didn’t let that deter me. “You’re middle class. You always have to work to be noticed, which is probably why you feel you have to wear such a provocative dress and stick your chest out so much. You’ve been forced to fight for attention your whole life. It’s terribly boring, being average—or so I’ve heard.”
Maya opened and closed her mouth. To her credit, she didn’t say another word.
I fake smiled broadly at the other girls. “Now, then… This is going to be fun. Princess Blake and Prince Austin are waiting for us all to get settled, then they’ll have us to the castle for a welcoming tea. Just wait till you meet them—they’re extraordinary!”
“Is Prince Austin as handsome in real life as he is on television?” Joely whispered.
“Oh, much more so,” I said. “All the royals are devastatingly good-looking. Just wait until you see King Rhys without a shirt. Good lord!” Maya’s face puckered as though she’d tasted something bitter, and I trilled on. “The crew is bringing us to the Realm, where we’ll be filmed. Ooh, and just wait until you see the castle. Brand-new construction. The kitchen is to die for, and the bedrooms—well, let’s just say, no expense or detail has been spared. His Highness is thrilled that you’re all here.” I chatted on gaily as the production crew disassembled their equipment and we prepared for our next scene.
Maya frowned the whole time, causing little creases to form around her lips. After a minute, I realized my smile wasn’t fake anymore. Game on.
The other contestants appeared to be savvy socialites, but they couldn’t conceal their awe once we reached the Realm. Dae and Thalia clutched each other, Joely gaped, and even Maya perked up. The cameras caught their excitement.
“I’ve never seen such a beautiful fountain!”
“The castle—it’s brand-new!”
“Have you ever seen such lovely grounds before?”
“Where’s His Highness? I can’t wait to thank him in person!”
Happily, we didn’t have to wait long for Rhys to reappear. Not that I was thrilled to see the werewolf again so soon, but I was eager to divest myself of the company of the other candidates. Two of Rhys’s men
opened the enormous castle doors and stood on each side of the entrance. A third came out with a long white oblong horn. He sounded it, and the men bowed. I dropped into a curtsy and felt smug when the other girls quickly followed my lead.
Rhys strode out from the castle, grinning broadly. “My ladies, welcome to the Realm. It is my honor to introduce you to my country, my castle, my home. Here you will meet my brothers and my soldiers, who are my family. And this is where, one day, one of you will rule by my side.”
Several of the other girls sighed.
“Now, please, join me.” Rhys took the stairs down to us, all muscular handsomeness. With his hair smoothed back into a low bun and his eyebrows groomed, he looked every inch the refined royal he most certainly was not. “Lady Layne.” He bowed when he reached me. “Please accompany me into the castle first. You are an esteemed member of the royal court, and I am honored that you’ve chosen to participate in the contest.”
Maya narrowed her eyes, and the other girls looked put out. So despite my annoyance with the werewolf, my smile continued to be genuine. “Thank you, Your Highness. It’s my pleasure.”
Rhys gently took my hand and led me inside. Cameras waited in the grand lobby of the castle, and another crew followed close on our heels. “Let me give you the tour,” Rhys said formally.
I followed, smiling, keeping my comments approving and camera ready. There was no time for us to have a real conversation. I wanted to ask how he’d resisted the urge to howl when the horn had sounded, but I didn’t dare. Rhys kept his conversation formal, too, as the cameras followed us on the brief tour. The werewolf had clearly been coached; he showed me around the castle as if for the first time.
We toured the first floor of the palace then returned to the great room. Our scene ended before the fireplace. “It’s my hope that you will come to love the Realm as I do,” Rhys said. “I appreciate you being here—I know that it’s a sacrifice. You have important obligations as a Goodwill Ambassador.”