by Leigh Walker
“I think it’s a wonderful challenge.” Dae’s pretty cheeks burned pink. “I’m looking forward to getting more familiar with the citizens, and I’d love to be involved in the community.”
“Me too.” Joely nodded. “I think it’s a lovely idea. Because it’s true—we aren’t just here competing to marry the king. We’re competing to help govern the kingdom.”
“It’s a great idea,” I said quickly, not wanting to look bad. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Excellent. After the next elimination, the overnight dates will be filmed. The king will take the remaining two contestants on separate, ridiculously romantic dates. You will have the option of spending the night with him in the tower, in sumptuous chambers that we’ll have specially arranged for a memorable evening.” Mira’s eyes glittered. “The whole thing will be filmed, of course.”
Dae’s cheeks continued to blaze. Joely coughed. I picked at invisible lint on the skirt of my gown. The overnight dates sounded quite…scandalous.
“Now, then.” Mira wagged her finger at us. “Finish your breakfasts and make haste to the library. You’ll be given some time to brainstorm your ideas for a community project. One rule: you may not talk to each other about your ideas. I’ll make sure that there’s no duplication. I’ll see you after lunch, and we’ll do a history lesson. Any questions?”
Dae raised her hand. “Will we see the king soon? Everything’s been so busy with the planning of the coronation, and I’d like to spend some quiet time with him.” She looked at us defensively. “For the show, of course.”
“His Highness will be dropping in between meetings when he can. We’ll film it all, of course. I have high hopes for the ratings—the live broadcast of the coronation had huge numbers. This is turning out better than even I expected. We have a hit on our hands, ladies.” Mira beamed at us. “Let’s make the most of it.”
We began gossiping in earnest as soon as she left. “I heard that Maya threw a massive tantrum when she left,” Joely confided.
I nodded. “I heard that, too, and that it turned quite ugly. Maya was never my favorite, but I thought she’d have enough common sense to keep from burning her bridges.”
“She was very upset about being cut.” Dae pursed her lips. “She went on and on last night, after the ball, swearing that the winner had already been chosen and that this whole competition is a farce.”
“Who did she say the projected winner was?” I asked, hoping I sounded disinterested.
“You.” Dae searched my face. “It isn’t true, is it? We have a fair shot, don’t we?”
“Of course you do. Do not let Maya’s accusations poison your mind. What a wretch she is, more trouble than she’s worth.” I shook my head, annoyed but not surprised that she would trash my reputation with false claims on her way out the door. “The king takes the competition very seriously. I have to work just as hard for his attention. It’s quite uncomfortable having you two still here, if I’m being honest. The king has kept his favorites, and now he must choose among us. The competition’s going to be fierce.”
Dae’s expression softened. “Thank you for saying that.”
“I don’t know if you should thank me—it’s nothing personal, but I wish you’d both gone home.” I shrugged. “I love Thalia, but it was clear from the tapes that she and His Highness didn’t have a spark. Maya can only blame herself for getting cut in the first round. She was given plenty of warnings and advice, but she didn’t stop being over-the-top. Either one of them would be preferable as competition.”
“I agree. I mean, I’m happy to have you both here as my friends. But as my competition? Not so much,” Joely said. “And I’m not at all surprised about Maya’s behavior or her claim that there was cheating going on. She couldn’t accept that the king didn’t have feelings for her. The last person she’s going to blame is herself.”
We finished with breakfast and started toward the library. Joely linked her arms through mine and Dae’s. “You are both my competition, but you are also my friends. I meant what I said at the ball. I am happy to know you. Let’s not turn on each other, shall we? Look at poor Maya. Being jealous and bitter is going to be even worse when she’s back at home, watching the show as a spectator.”
Dae nodded. “It’s going to be hard, these next few weeks. But I promise not to lose sight of you as people.”
“I promise the same.” I smiled at them. “The best thing that happened to me in The Pageant was making lifelong friends. I shall look at this as an opportunity for the same.”
Joely grinned. “Good. Now we should get to work.”
“This challenge is going to be difficult.” I pursed my lips. “I don’t know what I’m going to do yet.”
“Was there anything like this with The Pageant?” Joely asked.
“No… The closest we came to it was showing Prince Dallas our philanthropic activities in our settlements when we went on our home visits. I brought him to the center where I tutored underprivileged children.”
We chatted about the challenge until we reached the library. Three separate tables were set up inside, complete with notebooks, sketchpads, pens and colored pencils. I sat at my workspace, staring at a sheaf of blank paper. I needed a concept that would endear me to the Realm’s constituents. The problem was, those same constituents were the ones who’d had me scared half to death out in the forest the night before.
The werewolves thought I might be a traitor to their kind, and now I had to help them—and do it in style.
Joely and Dae got right to work, sketching, making lists, and muttering to themselves. But I just sat there, unsure of myself. It was an uncomfortable feeling, one that I did not care for at all.
After an hour of drawing hearts, writing Tamara + Rhys and Queen Tamara over and over again in a lovely script, my procrastinations were interrupted by a knock on the door. The king stuck his head in. Even though he’d partied at the ball until dawn and had been in meetings all morning, he looked refreshed and strikingly handsome. Rhys’s dark skin was smooth and lustrous; his thick mane was tucked back into a ponytail. He grinned at us. “Hello, ladies. I’m so happy to see you.”
Dae hopped up so fast, she nearly knocked her chair over. “I’m happy to see you, too, Your Highness.” She dropped into a flawless curtsy, and I had a sneaking suspicion she’d done it merely to have the opportunity to show off her amazing figure. They grinned at each other when she resumed her normal posture.
“I’m happy to see you too!” Not to be outdone, Joely also rose, her enviable curves straining against the fabric of her dress. “How was the rest of the ball?”
Rhys’s eyes sparkled. “Fantastic, but it was more fun while you were there.”
“Ah, thank you.” Joely’s skin flushed, which somehow only made her look more attractive.
The room went quiet, and Rhys looked at me expectantly. “Good morning, Lady Layne.”
“Good morning, Your Highness.” I rose as I searched his face. “How are you?”
“Good, but I need to have a word with you in private.”
“Yes, my lord.” I covered my scribbles with a notebook as I went to him. I didn’t imagine the disapproving looks on the other girls’ faces—only an hour before, we’d discussed how Maya believed the contest was rigged in my favor. I would have to make it up to them, somehow.
But first, I needed to see the king.
Chilly
As soon as we left the room, the smile dropped from his face. “Follow me.” He headed down the hall and took me into a small study then locked the door behind us. He turned to me, his expression dark, his jaw taut. “Why didn’t you come to me last night and tell me what happened?”
“You heard?” I’d wanted him to know the truth, but he seemed so angry that I was second-guessing myself.
“Of course I heard!” He slammed his fist down on a nearby table, making me jump. “Austin came to me straight away. Nothing goes on in my kingdom that I don’t know about. Trust me wh
en I tell you that Duncan and his cohort are being punished, and severely. They’d no right to drag you into the forest like that. Thank the gods Austin and the others got there when they did.”
I shuddered. “What do you think they would’ve done to me?”
Rhys’s brow furrowed. “They’re not stupid enough to have actually hurt you. They know they’d have to answer to me. They just wanted to scare you into talking.”
“So you heard about that as well?”
“Yes, I did. They’re bloody paranoid, Tamara.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I explained that neither you nor the other candidates were to blame for what we’ve heard about the rebels.”
“And what have you heard? Why are the king and queen here? What’s happening in the settlements?”
Rhys sighed. “I don’t know everything yet, but I’ve been told that the rebels are planning more attacks. We believe they’re coming to the North. King Black and Queen Serena came here to fight, if they need to.”
I shook my head. “That’s not what Mira said. She said that there was trouble in the settlements.”
“It’s not Mira’s place to tell you anything, and in this instance, I think she’s gotten it wrong. In any event, I want you to know that you don’t need to worry. I’ll protect you from any hint of trouble from the rebels. And Duncan and the others have been told that if they touch another hair on your head, they’ll be guilty of treason.”
“But why did they attack me in the first place? What are they worried about?”
“My men are many things, but above all, they are loyal to a fault.” He shook his head. “They’re obsessed with protecting me, my title, and the Realm. They’re worried that we finally have something that can be taken from us. Duncan’s convinced that the contest and all the publicity has ignited the rebels’ ire—he thinks they’re coming for us, not just the vampires. He thinks they want to take our lands away.”
“And what do you say of that?”
Rhys snorted. “I say let them come. I’ve whupped the rebels before. If anyone tries to take my land or harm my people, I will decimate them. I’m not afraid of some half-starved, crazy racists.”
I took a deep breath. “That’s not exactly the answer I was hoping for.”
“Why not?” He looked at me closely. “Do you have rebels in your family, like Gwyneth does?” Both Gwyneth’s father and her brother, Balkyn, were former rebels. Since she had married Dallas and become a princess, her family had come to know and respect the royals. Balkyn had been injured in battle, and Eve turned him into a vampire in order to save him. The Wests no longer had allegiance to the humans who sought to overthrow the supernatural government.
“Not at all. My family has been loyal to the crown since the beginning.” I raised my gaze to meet his. “No, I’ve no sympathy for the rebels. It’s that I don’t want you to battle, Your Highness. You’ve only just got your lands and your crown. We must finish the contest. You and your pack must begin to put roots down. A war is the last thing you need.”
He was quiet for a moment. “I understand your position, of course. But you must understand mine. I will fight to the death to protect the Realm.”
“Can we please not talk of death?” I shivered. “I thought my own life might end last night.”
“I’m so sorry you were frightened and that I wasn’t there to protect you. I don’t know if this helps, but Duncan and the others didn’t mean you true harm. They only want what’s best for me.”
“I understand that, but perhaps you need to teach them a lesson in manners. In any event, if you have taken care of the matter, I will attempt to let it go.”
“I assure you, they will never do anything like that again.” Rhys bowed his head. “You have my word.”
“And I thank you for it. Now, we should stop talking about such maudlin things. We should be celebrating your coronation, not contemplating our respective ends.”
“I agree.” Rhys came closer, and the familiar heat kicked up between us. “Werewolves live for a long time, Lady Layne. I intend to stay alive for every one of my years, so that I might enjoy them to the fullest.”
My heartbeat quickened as he drew near. “Then please do not cut those plans short on the account of some brainwashed rebels. Stay safe, Your Highness. I’d consider it a personal favor.”
“Would you, now?” He was close enough that his cool breath wafted over me, making me shiver again. “I would like to pull you closer now and show you just how very strong and virile I am. There’s no need for you to be worried by some starving zealots.”
I ignored everything he said except for the part about pulling me closer. “Okay.”
“Ah, it’s always a pleasant surprise when you agree with me. I want to hold you, to touch you…” Rhys grimaced then took a step back. “But I can’t.”
I frowned at him. “Why ever not?”
“Because I promised Mira that I wouldn’t touch any of you without the cameras around for the rest of the competition. She said she’d have my…important body parts on a platter if I went behind her back again. She’s very tough about following the rules, isn’t she?”
I groaned. “But she’ll never know!”
“Tamara”—Rhys took another reluctant step back—“I saw the looks the other girls were giving you just now. We can’t sneak around behind their backs, and I can’t play favorites. It’s not fair to anyone, especially not you.”
I crossed my arms against my chest. “How so?”
“If I grant you special privileges, Mira will expel you from the contest. She told me herself.”
“Why would she do a thing like that?”
“Because Maya was making all manner of accusations when she left. She said I’d already promised you a ring and that the other girls were just here for show.”
“It’s not true.” I waited for him to say otherwise, but he nodded in agreement.
“We both know that, but if there’s speculation and gossip to the contrary spreading, the show could be in jeopardy. And Mira would have to disqualify you. That’s the last thing I want.”
His words offered me a bit of comfort, but I still felt cheated. “I appreciate that, but I most certainly deserve a crumb of affection for the trials I’ve endured at the hands—the paws—of your pack.”
“Forget about them for the moment. I promise you, they understand their error and will not replicate it.” His eyes glittered as his gaze raked over me. “Now, then. Let the memories of our dance together last night keep you warm. That’s how I’m bearing the distance.”
I pouted. “Very well. We’ll follow the rules to the letter. But you’d better instruct your pack to do the same. I’ve been tasked with coming up with a project to help them, but I can’t say I’m feeling very generous at the moment.”
Rhys’s expression turned serious. “This challenge is important to me. I know you’ll do a fantastic job at helping to build the community here. And also, it would be a coup if you could win Duncan and the others over.”
“I’m not feeling exactly charitable toward those beasts at the moment.”
“I understand”—Rhys cocked his head—“so please, do your best for me. I would consider it a personal favor.”
And I would consider it a personal favor if you held me in those big arms and kissed me… But it wasn’t meant to be. I could tell from his demeanor that Mira’s warning had put him on edge.
Rhys sighed as he headed to the door. “Tamara, I will see you in front of the cameras soon, where I can properly give you the attention you deserve.”
“Very well, Your Highness.” Determined to be a good sport, I smiled at him. “I’m looking forward to it.” But as he left, I shivered again. The castle was drafty and chilly when he wasn’t near, and I was all alone again.
The other girls stared at me wordlessly when I returned to the library. “Ladies, you must understand that Rhys and I needed to discuss business. Nothing more.”
Joely arched an eyebrow, and Dae’s
lips puckered as if she’d bitten into a lemon. “What was so important?” Joely asked.
“We had to talk about what happened last night with the wolves.” I hadn’t wanted to share that with them, but if Duncan and his crew went after them, too, I would feel horrible.
“What do you mean? What wolves?” The other girls looked at each other.
I sighed. “Some of the men shifted last night and took me into the woods. They gave me quite a scare.”
“Why would they do that?” Dae asked. “What on earth did they want? I haven’t seen anyone in wolf form yet.”
“Me neither.” Joely shook her head. “What happened?”
“They asked me if I was a rebel sympathizer.”
“Oh my God.” Joely clapped a hand over her heart. “You must’ve been petrified!”
“I was, but then Prince Austin, Princess Blake, and Lady Eve showed up and threatened them. I knew I was safe after that.”
Dae’s brow was furrowed, and it looked as though her thoughts were running a mile a minute. “What did His Highness have to say about it?”
“First of all, he told them that they’re not to touch a hair on any of our heads, or it’ll be deemed treason,” I assured her. “But then he defended them a bit, saying that they were paranoid and also fiercely protective of their new king.”
Dae nodded. “That makes sense. Of course they want to protect the Realm. And really, they must be suspicious of us outsiders. It doesn’t seem like they’ve been around many humans.”
“You’ve been talking to them?” I asked. “Members of the pack?”
“Not really. It’s just something that my maid said.” Dae frowned. “She said that not all the men are as excited about the contest as the king is. They’re worried that he’s going to give them a queen who doesn’t understand what it means to be part of a pack.”
That sentiment was too familiar for my liking. Duncan had said as much to me. “I’ve heard that as well.”
“Well it’s good, then, that we’re doing this community project. We need to win the pack over.” Joely nodded, and the color returned to her cheeks. “This is a very important challenge, indeed.” She sat back down and returned to her sketchpad.