The Realm

by Leigh Walker

  “But that’s the problem—they’re not green at all.” I pouted. “I thought this contest would be like taking candy from a baby, but it appears I have to earn my keep.”

  Blake laughed. “I’m sure you’re up to the challenge, Tamara. If anyone can hold her own with this lot, it’s you.”

  Being around my friends perked me up. “Thank you.”

  Blake hugged me again. “You’re welcome. Now, let’s have some tea and chat these ladies up, shall we? One of them—or you—is going to be my neighbor for all of eternity. We’d best make a good impression.”

  Rhys and Austin came in then, both of them tall and strapping. The candidates stopped gossiping and stared at the men. Joely’s cheeks flushed, and she leaned over, whispering something to Maya.

  “What’s that?” Blake called to her. “You think my husband is handsome? I daresay I agree!”

  Joely’s face turned crimson, but Blake only laughed as she pulled the girl in for a hug. “I’m a vampire, and I can hear everything. But no worries—I’m in complete agreement with you that Prince Austin is fine to look at.”

  “Oh my goodness!” Joely hugged Blake back. “I’m so sorry I said that. I can’t believe I get to meet you. I’m totally fangirling right now!”

  “Ha!” Blake pulled back and bowed to Maya, Thalia, and Dae. “I’m Princess Blake Kensington Black. Welcome to the North, ladies. We’re thrilled that you’ve come to our home to get to know us better. We are great friends with the wolves and are looking forward to helping Rhys find his mate.”

  “Helping?” Maya asked. “Helping how?”

  Blake smiled, but I knew my friend well enough to understand that she was taking Maya’s measure. “Rhys is our neighbor and our ally. It’s important that we like who he chooses as a bride, for she’ll become part of our family—the royal family.”

  “Well, in that case, we’ll be like sisters.” Maya linked her arm through Blake’s and started chattering away.

  Dae rolled her eyes. “Here she goes.”

  Joely sighed, and Thalia shrugged, saying, “I saw that one coming a mile away.”

  Rhys was near, and I took the opportunity to say hello. “Your Highness.” I dropped into a curtsy.

  “My Lady.” He bowed his head in return.

  “How was the rest of your evening?” I kept my tone friendly, flirtatious even.

  “Fine.” He smiled at me without his usual good humor. “Until Mira gave me an earful about playing favorites, that is.”

  “Ah.” I kept my voice low. “I had to tell her that we were alone. The other girls saw us. They were going to tattle, so I thought it would be better if I got out in front of it and spoke with Mira first.”

  “I see.” The werewolf frowned. “Still, I wish you’d told me. Mira was displeased, and she caught me unprepared.”

  “I’m sorry, Your Highness. There wasn’t time.”

  Rhys nodded stiffly. “She’s watching us right now, and so are the other girls. I will take my leave, my lady. I have to mingle.” He gave a formal bow and sauntered over to Shaye and Eve. “There you are, ladies. It’s been too long.”

  The three of them laughed and chatted and smiled while Blake and Maya giggled and got to know one another. Once again, I felt like I was on the outside of something. I gave Rhys a long look. He’d been so warm last night, so focused on me. But I’d said so myself: he had a job to do, and so did I.

  Sometimes I hated that I was almost always right.

  Creature Comforts

  After tea, I sought refuge in the garden with my beasties.

  “Well, I know he wasn’t exactly mean to me this morning, but he was a little chilly.”

  Elsa panted, tongue lolling.

  “It’s not too much to ask for a little bit of kindness, is it?” I sighed. “Last night, he was making proclamations and kissing me. Today, he’s giving me the cold shoulder. It’s like he took a page from my own playbook about how to keep your love interest guessing. Humph.”

  Elsa kept breathing hard as Beast rolled up next to her. They looked at me expectantly.

  I paced before them. “With Blake’s permission, I will bring you both to the Realm. We have two beds, of course, and they’re brand-new. The gardens are nice, too. Not as mature as the ones here, but you will enjoy them just the same.” When they didn’t respond, I continued. “I don’t know how the wolves will handle your presence, but if the vampires can tolerate the scandal of having gnomes sleep under their roof, I expect the canines will be fine, too.”

  “Who’re you calling a canine, missus?” A lanky figure stepped out of the nearby woods. His hair was long and blond, his eyes a faded blue. I recognized him as one of Rhys’s advisors.

  “Duncan, isn’t it?” I asked.

  He nodded.

  “I was referring to you and your pack as canines, which I believe is the correct categorization as you are wolves, part of the Canus genus. I didn’t mean it as an insult.”

  He snickered. “D’you think I care? You’re talking to gnomes, Lady Layne. It’s not like they can understand you—what’s their genus, eh? Dopey and Slobbery?”

  “I beg your pardon? Do not speak about them like that. And of course they can understand me. Watch this.” I clapped my hands together and made certain the gnomes were watching. “Elsa, Beast, roll over.”

  The gnomes obediently rolled in tandem then stared at me.

  “Good boy, good girl!” I fed them tidbits of bacon as Duncan snorted.

  “That’s a parlor trick. That doesn’t mean they comprehend your words. It means they understand they’ll get a treat if they look at you with those big dumb eyes.”

  “Ah, Duncan, are you jealous? Do you wish I’d saved a morsel for you?” I chuckled as he cursed.

  “That’ll be the day. And you’re bringing them back to the castle with us—is that what I heard you saying?”

  “If His Highness approves of it, I will.”

  “Of course he will.” Duncan snorted. “He put those cursed little beds in your room—he made me personally travel to the settlements to see that they’d be comfortable for the little wretches.”

  “He did?” I asked, surprised. “Why did he ask such a favor of you?”

  “Because Rhys trusts me with his life, and it was important to him. He wanted it to be perfect.” The werewolf sneered. “He’s off his rocker if you ask me. All those little details that he bugged us about. He wanted you to be happy. I’m not sure why he went to all the trouble when he knows you’re just after a title.”

  “I beg your pardon? What on earth do you mean by that?” I asked sharply. The gnomes gathered behind me and growled at Duncan.

  He peered around me and glowered at them. “If you think I’m afraid of you runts, you’ve got another thing coming.”

  Elsa bared her sharp little teeth at him, and so did Beast.

  “You inspire all sorts of loyalty, don’t you?” Duncan shook his head.

  “I want to know what you meant when you said that…that I’m only after a title.”

  The werewolf shrugged then leaned back against a tree. “That’s what we’ve heard about you, is all. That you’re only looking out for yourself. You like your status on the royal court, and you’re ambitious.”

  “That’s not true—I mean, it’s absolutely true that I’m ambitious. I won’t apologize for that.” I straightened my shoulders. “But I don’t only care about myself. I care about Rhys, and I want him to be in good standing with the king.”

  Duncan eyed me shrewdly. “Because it’ll make you look good.”

  “I always look good.” I raised my chin. “No, I’m here because Rhys needs my help, and I’m glad to give it to him. I truly care about the Realm’s success, just as I care about the North. Blake and Austin are great friends of mine, and Rhys is a friend as well.”

  “Yes, about that… You say that you and Rhys are friends, but I’m not so sure.” He scrubbed a hand over his chin. “There’s rumors that he already asked you to
be his bride, and you turned him down. Is it true?”

  I cleared my throat. “That’s between me and the king. Ladies don’t kiss and tell.”

  “See, this is exactly what I’m talking about. I told Rhys he needed to make a clean break with you—you’re too cagey. Too many motives and secrets flying about. Too much hair tossing and eyelash fluttering.”

  “I think you’re being unfair, not to mention sexist.”

  “It’s nothing to do with being sexist; it’s about you and what you’re doing to my friend. You would’ve already accepted his proposal if that’s what you wanted. But now you’re in the contest, just stringing him along and making trouble for the other girls.”

  I put my hands on my hips. “I am not.”

  “You are so.”

  I glared at him. “Why are you out here bothering me?”

  Duncan smiled for the first time. “His Highness told me to fetch you and bring you back to the Realm. He’s got an announcement to make.”

  “Fine.” I gathered the gnomes and put them in my tote. “Then we should get going.”

  “Listen, you don’t need to be all haughty with me. I’m Rhys’s best mate, is all. I know him. You should let him marry one of those other girls if you don’t have feelings for him. He’s very loyal, you know. To a fault.”

  “I shall take that under advisement.”

  Duncan gave me a long look. “It might be a contest, but it’s not a game. Rhys has to pick a wife from one of your lot in the next few weeks. You should be sure about what you want. If it isn’t him, give the wolf a break.”

  “You’re awfully philosophical for a canine and a male, aren’t you?”

  “Now look who’s being sexist!” Duncan shook his head. “Trust me, I don’t like to talk. I only do it when it’s necessary.”

  “Then let’s mutually agree it’s unnecessary for the rest of our time together and get on with it.”

  We walked in moody silence for a good twenty minutes. As we neared the edge of the Realm, Duncan turned to me. “You know what life would be like here, don’t you?” He nodded toward the clearing. “It’s not fine balls and society and having tea with your pinkie turned out. It’s about the hunt, and it’s about protecting our kind. It’s about finally building a future for werewolves, and it won’t be all sugar-dusted pastries and ball gowns. It’s going to take blood and sweat and tears. I don’t think you’re cut out for it, my lady.”

  “What have I done to deserve your ire?” I asked, taken aback.

  “It isn’t about you, really. It’s about my mate Rhys—I need to look out for him.” He eyed Beast and Elsa, who peeked over the top of the tote. “I see that you’re fancy and have fancy ways.”

  “I don’t think that’s a fair description—”

  “You’re carrying gnomes in your purse. It’s fancy, trust me.” Duncan gave me a long look. “When you’re part of a pack, there is no ‘I,’ no individual. Everything you do is for the good of the group. If you were to marry Rhys, you’d be our queen. And I, for one, do not intend to spend the rest of my life fetching little dog beds and eyelash curlers for my queen. I am asking you to decide what you want and where you believe you belong. I expect it’s someplace where your parlor tricks will be better appreciated.” He bowed as we reached the edge of the Realm’s square. “With that, my lady, I will take my leave.”

  “Please do.” And good riddance. But beneath my anger lurked a little nub that throbbed. The werewolf had pushed my buttons and had done a rough job of it.

  “Tamara, there you are!” Mira called. “Come over to the fountain. His Highness is about to make an announcement.”

  “I’m coming.” I plastered on a smile and went to take my place. But underneath my game face, I worried over Duncan’s words. I don’t think you’re cut out for it, my lady.

  The cameras and microphones were in place. I waited with the other candidates as Rhys came out to the stairs in front of the palace. He bowed his head. “Good Afternoon, ladies. It is with great pleasure that I announce the order of our first dates. I am looking forward to spending time with each of you and getting to know you better. I know that my bride, my queen, is here with me today. I cannot wait for us to discover each other.”

  Several of the other girls sighed as he continued, “Maya Briones. Will you accept the first date?”

  Maya elbowed her way past us and hustled to the bottom of the stairs. “I’m honored, Your Highness.” She dropped into a deep bow which I was certain afforded Rhys a clear view of her bosom. Gag.

  Rose, the production assistant, beckoned Maya to the side of the stairs, and Rhys cleared his throat. “Joley Raine, will you accept my invitation for the second date?”

  Joely grinned, her skin flushing, as she took her place and bowed before the werewolf. “I’d love to, Your Highness. Thank you so much.”

  Rhys smiled as she rose and took her place beside Maya. “Thalia Atkins, will you accept the third date?”

  Thalia flashed a brilliant smile while my stomach tied itself into a knot. Is he saving the best for last? I barely noticed as Thalia bowed and accepted his invitation.

  “Tamara Layne, will you accept the fourth date?” Rhys smile was perfunctory, polite.

  Second to last was the place of most obscurity. “I’d love to, Your Highness.” I bowed formally. I wanted to object, but instead I joined the other girls.

  “And Dae Phillips, would you do me the honor of accepting the invitation for the final date?” The werewolf looked at her hopefully.

  Like she’d say no. “I’d be honored, Your Highness.” Dae’s cheeks were pink as she bowed before the king.

  “Thank you all.” He bowed to us. “Maya, I am looking forward to seeing you this evening.” Rhys turned on his heel and was off. He didn’t give me a backwards glance. He didn’t call on me that afternoon after lessons, and he didn’t knock on my door that evening. He was taking Mira’s warning a bit literally, I thought. Not that anyone had asked me. Not that I cared.

  Medicinal Purposes

  There was nothing more insufferable than a girl who was convinced she was better than you—particularly when she wouldn’t stop crowing about it.

  “You know that having the first date means I’m his favorite, right?” Maya puffed her chest out.

  “You know that being humble is actually considered attractive, right?” I threw a bit of bacon at Elsa. She caught it in her mouth and whizzed off after Beast. “You might want to try it sometime.”

  “You’re just sour because you’re fourth.” Maya tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Nothing’s worse than fourth.”

  I gritted my teeth, not willing to give her the satisfaction of a response. We were out on the grounds with the gnomes. The other girls had never seen such creatures before and were appropriately oohing and aahing over my pets. It would have been a lovely afternoon if Maya had stopped bragging, even for a moment.

  “So tell me about Elsa and Beast,” Joely said, trying to change the subject. “They’re so cute, but I heard one of the werewolves complaining about them. What are they, exactly?”

  “Don’t listen to the haters. They’re gnomes, and they’re the best pets. They’re so loyal and smart.” The gnomes whizzed by again, clearly enjoying the castle grounds.

  “I might keep one as a pet when I’m queen.” Maya watched them, her eyes dreamy. “I might get it a crown to match mine.”

  Dae’s jaw dropped. “Um, don’t you think you’re getting a little ahead of yourself?”

  Maya whipped her head around. “I’m sure it’s difficult to hear, but I’m ahead of you—all of you. I’m the only one His Highness said goodbye to earlier; he said he couldn’t wait to see me tonight. He’s going to kiss me, I’m sure of it. We have an undeniable connection.”

  “I think you’re having an undeniable hallucination,” I said. “I’ve been in a competition like this before. Having the first date is nice, but it’s hardly a proposal. You’re setting yourself up for a big letdown, Maya.�
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  “Says you. You, who cheated your way into a kiss last night and now the king hardly notices you.” Maya laughed, a taunting sound. “I guess it wasn’t that memorable.”

  I whistled for Elsa and Beast. “You know what? I’m glad you have the first date. I hope the king sweeps you right off your feet; you are more than welcome to my sloppy seconds. Just remember: he kissed me first.” I put the gnomes into my tote. Chin held high, I started back toward the castle.

  “That’s fine with me!” Maya called. “He’ll be kissing me last!”

  I paced my room for an hour, perhaps longer. Giuliana had told me that, for their date, Rhys and Maya were having a candlelight dinner and then a moonlit tour of the grounds. I disliked both of those choices immensely. Maya would use any dark corner or flickering candle to her advantage. Ugh. There would be lots of opportunity for snogging.

  I tried not to think about it.

  At least the other girls were as annoyed with her as I was. Joely, Thalia, and Dae had sent word that they were in the game room, drinking wine and waiting for Maya to return from her date. I should go down there and wait with them and try to make friends. Mira would be on my case if I stayed in my room with my gnomes, pouting all night. Still, I had no desire for company other than Elsa and Beast, who snored happily in their beds.

  But I was a contestant. I had a duty to perform per the production terms. So I fluffed my hair, put on some lip gloss, and headed down the stairs, head held high. I caught sight of Duncan as I headed to the game room, talking with some of the other werewolves. He pretended not to notice me, which suited me just fine. His words kept circling in my mind: It might be a contest, but it’s not a game. The wolf had some nerve speaking to me like that. If I did become queen of the Realm, I would have him fetch me a new eyelash curler, an extra gnome bed, and a stick for good measure.

  Joely was giggling when I made it to the game room. “Oh good, there you are!” She patted the couch beside her. I sat down, Dae poured me a glass of wine, and Thalia grinned at me.