by Leigh Walker
I couldn’t wait to wear the dress. I really couldn’t wait to see the prince.
Bettina hauled out the makeup crate. She had dark circles under her eyes, but an elated smile on her face. “I haven’t slept in days. I’ve been too excited! I’m so glad the gala’s tonight.”
Evangeline bustled about the room, dusting and straightening things she’d already dusted and straightened three times. “I’m excited too. Are you, miss? I’m sure you’ll be happy to see the prince.”
I smiled at them, even as Bria forced me into a chair and started attacking the snarls in my hair. “I can’t wait. Of course, I’m nervous.” I swallowed hard. I’d refused to let myself get too wrapped up in worrying about getting sent home. Now that the gala loomed, my nerves thrummed.
Bria tsked above me. “You needn’t be worried, miss. We all know you’ll make the final four. At the very least.” She winked at me. “We all believe you’ll be the last girl here.”
I swallowed over a sudden lump in my throat. “I hope so.”
Bettina opened up a container of sparkly highlighter and smiled at me. “You are going to be fine, miss. The prince has liked you since the beginning. The other girls complain that he’s very formal with them. They think it’s because he only has eyes for you.”
“I guess we’ll see, huh?”
Evangeline stoked the fire then turned to me. “You don’t need to worry. I know it in my heart. We all have a really good feeling about tonight. Don’t we, ladies?’
“Yes.” Bria smoothed my hair, beaming.
“Absolutely.” Bettina patted me on the nose with a fluffy brush.
“Thank you.” But as I sat and let them work their magic, I still thrummed with nerves.
Evangeline sensed it. “Oh miss…let me get you some tea. Tea makes everything better.”
“O-okay. And Evangeline—thank you. For everything.”
She winked as she curtsied, then left the room.
“Now you listen to me.” Bria continued to expertly work through my long hair. “You are beautiful, smart, and kind. You are a special snowflake, miss. Don’t you let that Tamara or anyone else make you doubt it. Not even the little voices inside your head.”
“Tell them to sod off,” Bettina agreed. She dabbed some more gold glitter onto the brush. “We’re here, right next to you, and we think you’re wonderful. So listen to us.”
I smiled at them. “I am lucky to have you. Not only to help me, but to be my friends.”
The twins grinned, obviously touched. “Quite right, miss. Now, let’s get you gala-ready.” Bria started braiding my hair. “Once we’re through with you, I expect that Tamara and the little voices inside your head will all take a vow of silence. For good.”
I took a deep, steadying breath as I headed toward the ballroom. I could see the other girls and the camera crews at the end of the hall; it was a mob scene.
I stopped for a moment, resting against the wall. I was excited for tonight, but the nerves were there, thrumming underneath. They threatened to make me a sweaty, disheveled mess.
“Aw, are you nervous?” Blake appeared beside me.
My jaw dropped as I looked her up and down. “Oh my God.”
She immediately reached for my hand, concern etched into her pretty face. “What’s the matter?”
I squeezed her hand. “You are gorgeous. My heart almost stopped!”
Blake laughed and swatted me. “Stop. You’re the one who’s stunning. That dress, wow.”
“Yours is so beautiful. I’ve never seen you in that color before, you look amazing!” It was true. Blake was taller than ever, her thick, blonde hair pulled halfway up, the rest in golden waves hanging over her shoulders. Her dress was lavender, strapless and straight, showing off her curves.
“Well, you can be my date tonight.” Blake winked at me. “I’m afraid it’s going to be my last here at the palace.”
“Don’t say that.” I linked my arm through hers and we walked toward the queue. Blake was a great friend and a great comfort. I didn’t want her to leave the competition. “You said your date went well.”
She shot me a look. “We had dinner and then we played basketball. He slapped me five afterward—it was hardly romantic. Besides, you don’t really want him to like anyone but you. And I don’t begrudge you for it. You have real feelings for him. I have real feelings for biscuits and chocolate tarts.” She giggled.
“I don’t want him to care for anyone else, it’s true.” I sighed. “But I want you to stay.”
Her eyes glittered. “Whatever happens, I plan to enjoy tonight. I heard it’s a buffet. Tables heaped with platters, all the food you can bear to eat.”
I laughed. Only Blake would be wearing such a dress, about to attend a royal ball, and be solely focused on the food.
Delicious aromas wafted into the hallway and my stomach growled. Maybe Blake wasn’t the only one excited about the buffet.
Shaye was ahead of us in line. She scooted back to join us. “You both look lovely.” She arranged Blake’s hair over her shoulder then squeezed my hand. “Really—you each take my breath away.”
I beamed at my friend. “You look beautiful.” Shaye wore a dark-emerald gown with gold brocade adorning the front. Her hair was in an elegant twist; she looked positively regal.
“Thank you.” She sighed. “I’m quite nervous, actually. I’m not ready to say goodbye. Do you smell that roast?”
Blake closed her eyes and moaned. “We don’t have roasts like that in Fifteen.”
Shaye scowled. “Or Twenty-Four.”
“Don’t think about it. Let’s just enjoy our night.” The three of us linked arms as we waited in line.
Tamara sashayed down the hall, one of the final girls to join the queue, obviously wanting to make a grand entrance. She wore a skintight black mermaid gown. Her enviable assets spilled out of the top as she headed straight for us, cutting the other girls in line. They knew better than to bother protesting.
“Ladies.” She looked at our linked arms. “Getting ready to walk the plank together?”
Blake grinned at her and held her arm out. “We’re just enjoying the palace and all it has to offer while we can. I might even enjoy hanging out with you tonight. You look quite ravishing, by the way.”
Tamara rolled her eyes but accepted Blake’s arm. “Of course I do.” She didn’t say anything for a moment but Blake waited patiently, staring at her. “Oh, you all look pretty too. Are you happy now?”
Blake giggled. “I’ll be happy when I stick that roast in my bag and take it back to the slums with me.”
Tamara just shook her head. “You and your food.”
“A girl’s got to eat.” Blake turned serious. “A girl’s especially got to eat while the eating’s good, before she gets sent back to her tiny impoverished settlement where there’s nothing to do but starve.”
The line moved closer to the door and I heard a trumpet, then a sentinel announced the name of the next girl. “Miss Meredith Brisbaine of Settlement Ten.”
Tamara’s lip curled into a sneer. “Oh that Meredith’s a prat. I bet she’s going home.”
Shaye clutched her stomach. “They’re announcing us?”
Blake patted her shoulder. “It’s okay. Just stay focused on the buffet.”
I tried to stay calm as moved closer. Finally, we could see through the door. Mira Kinney waited on the other side, stunning in a fucshia gown with a Mandarin collar. There were cameras and lights. The ballroom was magnificent, lit with hundreds of candles. It had been decorated with intricately carved Black family royal crests and tapestries in the royal colors, purple, red, and the deepest blue.
Toward the far side of the room, I glimpsed three occupied thrones. “The queen’s here?” I whispered.
Tamara pursed her lips. “I hope she already ate.”
We were next. Mira beamed at us as we stepped into the room. “Hello girls. Let’s take this right to left, shall we?” She leaned over to whisper to the sent
inel as the trumpet sounded.
“Miss Shaye Iman, Settlement Twenty-Four.”
Shaye smiled as she tentatively stepped forward, into the spotlight. The other girls had formed a receiving line, along with other lords and ladies I didn’t recognize. Some of them were clearly vampires.
I leaned over to speak in Blake’s ear. “I do hope everyone behaves.”
“Nothing’s coming between me and that roast.” Blake nudged me. “You’re up. And His Highness is staring you.”
“What? Where?” But the light blinded me. And then the trumpet sounded, and then the sentinel announced me.
“Mis Gwyneth West, Settlement Four.”
I remembered Bria and Bettina’s ministrations, and Evangeline’s barely contained hovering. I thought of Winnie and Remy and Mother. You can do this.
I plastered the largest smile I could muster onto my face and stepped out into the spotlight.
I walked forward, smiling at everyone, accepting their congratulations for making it this far in the contest. I nodded and curtsied. I made my way down the line and finally saw Dallas. He was waiting for me, resplendent in his ceremonial uniform.
He bowed deeply. “Gwyneth.”
I curtsied. “Dallas.”
“You look absolutely stunning.” He grinned as he held out his arm for me. “I would like you to meet my parents, again. This seems like more appropriate circumstances.”
Since our last meeting had been in the middle of the night, after the prisoner Benjamin Vale had escaped and killed several palace guards, I couldn’t agree more. “Okay.” I lifted my chin and squared my shoulders. I leaned in close to him. “Do they know about Balkyn?”
Dallas’s dark eyes flashed. “Not yet. I’m waiting until after the ball.”
That was a relief, but any sense of well-being was short lived as I approached the king and queen. They sat on their thrones, golden crowns atop their heads, and surveyed the gala with sharp eyes that missed nothing. The king was handsome as ever, his shoulders strong and broad beneath his dress uniform. His gray hair and trim, white beard sparkled in the candlelight. The queen was elegant and austere in a silver gown with a high, lace neck. Her sapphire-blue eyes coldly sparkled. Her platinum hair was in an elegant knot at the base of her neck. She nodded toward me and I curtsied, heart pounding in my chest.
“Mother, Father, allow me to introduce Miss Gwyneth West from Settlement Four.”
The king frowned. “We have met Miss West before.”
“Father.” Dallas clasped his hands in front of him. “I know. I want you to meet her again.”
The king nodded in my direction. “Miss West.”
The queen reached for my hand. I looked at Dallas, unsure, but he nodded. I stepped forward and reached out. She closed her icy hand around mine, and gazed into my eyes. “Eve tells me you’re a good friend. I hope that you are a good friend to my son.”
“Yes, Your Highness. And he is a good friend to me.” She released me and I curtsied again.
Dallas looked at the king, but his father ignored him, watching the crowd instead. “Thank you, Mother.” He held out his arm, then whisked me away.
“Are you all right?” I asked.
The muscle in his jaw jumped. “I will be. Gwyneth…” His gaze traveled over me as emotion played out on his face. “I’m sorry my father was so rude. I will speak to him about it.”
I smiled, trying to lift his spirits. “No one said this would be easy.”
The orchestra started to play and suddenly, the cameras were upon us. Dallas smiled and held out his hand. “Would you care to dance?”
I took his hand. “I’d love to.”
He swirled me around into the center of the ballroom floor. I was not an experienced dancer but Dallas took the lead, his hands firmly guiding me. We danced easily, swaying to the music. The other guests formed a circle around us. The spotlight was there, and Mira Kinney, and Tariq, and all the cameras.
But it all fell away. Dallas smiled at me, and I smiled back. We were in another country, and it was wonderful.
A true gentleman, Dallas danced with every contestant. Shaye, Blake and I minded the buffet.
“I don’t know if I can fit much more into this godforsaken dress,” Blake moaned. She eyed a pudding. “But I might have to try.”
Shaye giggled. “Did you both enjoy your dances?”
I nodded. “I did. Even with all the cameras and the lights, it was lovely.”
Blake frowned. “All he kept talking about was his little brother. He said I’d like him. I don’t get it.”
Shaye shrugged. “Maybe you’ll get picked as a finalist and get to find out.”
Blake grabbed the pudding. “I rather doubt it. How was your dance?”
“It was…lovely.” She blushed and ducked her head.
“You don’t have to be embarrassed.” Blake stuck her spoon in the direction of the dance floor. “She should be embarrassed. But she won’t be.”
We turned to find Tamara dancing with the prince, her body in a full-court press against his.
I grabbed a pudding. “Can tonight be over, already? I want to know what happens.”
Tariq sidled up next to us, pretending to peruse the desserts. “You’ve all done well tonight.”
“Thank you.” Blake and Shaye curtsied.
“We’ll see how it goes.” I nodded toward him. “Do you know when the finalists will be announced?”
He checked his watch with a flourish. “Oooh, right about now. Put down those desserts, girls. It’s show time.”
Blake scraped her pudding cup clean before she set it down. She straightened her dress as the song ended and the crowd politely clapped. Tamara was laughing and flaunting her bosom at Dallas.
Mira Kinney stepped forward with her microphone and cleared her throat. “What a lovely couple. Give them another round of applause, everyone.” We all clapped and I fake-smiled so hard my face hurt. This was it.
“I know we’ve all become invested in each of these girls and their journeys,” Mira continued. “But tonight, as you know, most of them will be going home. We will miss you at the palace, my dears.” She clapped and we all joined her.
“The prince has selected four finalists. These are the women he feels the closest to, the ones he believes have the best chance of becoming his wife.” A hush fell over the room. My palms started to sweat. “The final four contestants will remain at the palace for one last week with the royal family. The prince will visit each of their settlements and meet each girl’s family. At the end of that week, the winner of the Pageant will be announced. And then, the planning for the royal wedding will begin.”
Mira beamed at us. “Now please give a warm reception to His Royal Highness, Prince Dallas Black, Crown Prince of The United Settlements.”
The crowd erupted into cheers. But as Dallas strode forward and took the microphone, quiet descended. No one wanted to miss a word from His Highness’s mouth.
“Good evening, and thank you all so much for being here. My father and mother join me in gratitude for each of you sacrificing time away from your families and homes to join us here. This show of solidarity means everything to us.” He smiled as the cameras circled him, bathing him in klieg lights. “Sadly, for some of you, your time at the palace has come to an end. If I could, I would keep each of you here. Instead, you will be sent home tonight with your stipends.”
There was more polite clapping before the prince continued. “Each contestant has a story and background that make you unique and very special to me. I’ve enjoyed our time together so much. But now I have to narrow the contestants down. I want you to know I did not undertake this choice lightly. One of the four finalists will become my wife, and I will choose her for love, for the good of the people, and for the hope of the brightest future. Each of you are a wonderful person, an amazing young lady. I hope that you all enjoy a long and happy life, and I’m so thankful that you got to be part of mine.”
He blew out deep breath
. “I will now call the four finalists. I will ask each of them if they would like to remain in the competition. It’s a bit unnerving, actually.”
Everyone chuckled politely and Dallas cleared his throat. “Miss Shaye Iman, from Settlement Twenty-Four.”
Shaye looked at us, wide-eyed, and Blake and I nodded at her. She stepped forward, toward the prince. He held out his hand for her. “Miss Iman, will you accept my invitation to stay as a finalist?”
Shaye curtsied, then nodded. “I will.”
Tariq collected her and brought her to the side.
“Blake Kensington, from Settlement Fifteen.”
Blake’s jaw dropped. “Oh bloody hell. I think I have pudding in my teeth.” Still, she strode to meet Dallas and curtsied.
The prince grinned at her. “Miss Kensington, will you accept my invitation to stay as a finalist?”
Blake grinned back. “Absolutely.” Tariq assembled her next to Shaye, then nodded for Dallas to continue.
“Miss Tamara Layne, from Settlement Eleven.”
Tamara strutted slowly to the prince, making sure the camera got a good, long look at her. She curtsied deeply, somehow making it look sensuous.
“Miss Layne, will you accept my invitation to stay as a finalist?”
“Yes, Your Highness.” She eye-snogged him as Tariq led her next to the other girls.
My palms were slick with sweat. Blood rushed in my ears. One finalist left. And if it wasn’t me? What on earth would I do then?
“Miss Gwyneth West, from Settlement Four.”
I sighed deeply and went to Dallas. He smiled at me, all kindness and goodness and strength. And even though Tamara glared, the king looked on disapprovingly, and the klieg lights threatened to singe us both, I suddenly felt calm.
Dallas beamed at me. “Miss West, will you accept my invitation to stay as a finalist?”
There was only one answer. I reached for his hand. “Yes.”
Vampire Royals 3: The Finale
A ROYAL WEDDING IS COMING…BUT WHICH CONTESTANT WILL BE THE BRIDE?