Princess Ballot: Royals of Arbon Academy

by James Tate

  Mattie and Nolan both snickered lightly.

  "We all know that didn't happen," Nolan muttered as he put the truck in drive and glided carefully out of the academy grounds.

  It was at that point I realized I was in a car with two crown princes and a princess. Speaking of fucking fairy tales...

  Mattie still had her nails digging into my arm, so I kept my lips clamped shut, despite the fight clawing to get out of me.

  "Not that it’s any of your business, Rafe, but Violet and I decided to have a girl’s night." Mattie arched a brow at my new nemesis, but he just rolled his eyes and shifted back into his seat. Freed from his piercing blue gaze, the tension drained out of me. Just a little—because he was still right fucking there—but the back of his head was a hell of a lot easier to deal with.

  "Since when did you and the charity case become such great friends, Mattie?" Rafe's question was a bored drawl, but my skin prickled with the knowledge I was being watched. Thankfully, it was Nolan's green gaze that caught mine in the mirror, though.

  Mattie made an irritated noise in her throat. "Again, none of your business, Rafe. Just try and refrain from being a total asshole for, like, one night. I think Violet deserves one night before the vultures lay into her. Don't you?"

  My lips parted with questions burning to be asked, but Mattie gave me another warning look.

  “Why does she deserve it?” he asked, somehow sounding both bored and annoyed. “If anything, the fact that she’s here at all is the only break she deserves.”

  I flipped him off. He couldn’t see it, but Mattie could, and she snorted out a laugh before coughing a few times. Rafe turned more fully in his seat, assessing me as closely as one could from that angle.

  “Just stay out of my way, Cinderella. And beware of Alex; he’s not who you think he is.”

  My smile was the broadest, fakest expression I’d ever made. “Why, thank you for your generous advice. I so appreciate it.”

  Rafe shook his head, dismissing me in an instant by turning back to the front and immediately starting up a conversation with Nolan. There was only a faint shadow of bruising along his high cheekbone, so Alex must not have hit that hard. What a shame.

  The guys talked about soccer, and I learned that Mattie’s twin was on the soccer team as well. A striker. I hadn’t noticed him earlier today, but then again, I hadn’t noticed much outside of Rafe and Alex.

  “He’s an expert on the classics, you know?” Mattie’s voice was a low murmur in my ear.

  For a second, I wondered what she was talking about. I’d been so absorbed in listening to the conversation between the guys that I’d forgotten everything else. It was just that Rafe’s voice, when he wasn’t being a complete asshole, was soothing and sexy and … I could listen to it for hours.

  Only he was an asshole. So I was not going to bother paying attention any longer.

  “Classics?” I murmured back.

  She nodded, lips twisting into a half smile. “Yeah, if you ever want to hear about the old fairy tales or classic literature popular before the Monarch War, Rafe is the guy to ask. His little brother and sister are obsessed, and he fucking loves them more than anything in the world. He tells them stories all the time.”

  With a huff, I sank back into the super soft leather seats. I didn’t want to hear anything nice about Rafe; he was an asshole who had taken one look at me and decided he hated me. Fuck him and his love of literature.

  “He looks like a thug,” I whispered with a scowl. “I didn’t even think he could read.”

  Not actually true, but he definitely had an elite athlete vibe about him, and that body… Yeah, I would not have guessed the literature thing.

  “My GPA is in the top three percentile,” Rafe said, his smile smug and mocking, eyes brushing over mine, sending shivers of warmth through me. “I’m set to take out the valedictorian this year.”

  Great. Crown prince. Star athlete. Super fucking smart. That was totally fair.

  “If you think I’m about to pat you on the back, like the rest of your sycophants, you have another think coming. I too can read, and I too enjoy the classics. You’re not Robinson Crusoe.”

  Rafe’s lips twitched. “Touché, Cinderella.”

  Thankfully, at that point the car was slowing, and we must have finally been at the party. When we parked, quite close to the chalet, Nolan turned in his seat. “I don’t know about you, new girl, but I’m really enjoying the sexual tension in the car right now.”

  Mattie groaned, reaching out to slap her twin. “Nole, seriously.”

  He just smirked, and I jumped as a door slammed. Rafe was already out of the car, striding off into the snow-filled landscape, heading toward the obvious lights and noise of a party.

  “Was it something I said?” The words spilled out before I could stop them, each coated with fake innocence.

  Mattie shook her head. “I knew there was a reason I liked you, new girl.”

  My sigh was long and exaggerated. “This ‘new girl’ thing is not going anywhere, is it?”

  “Nope,” Mattie said, popping the ‘P’ loudly. “It suits you.”

  “So does Violet,” I muttered as I swung my door open to get out.

  Mattie linked her arm through mine, leading me quickly through the mass of cars. For a world that was in a car shortage crisis, there were certainly no limitations amongst the Arbon Academy students.

  Chapter 6

  The party was surprisingly normal, if you could ignore the facts that every kid was dripping in designer clothing and accessories and the driveway was lined with more vehicles than I'd ever seen in my entire life.

  "What’s your poison?" Mattie asked with a grin, nudging me closer to the professionally attended bar. Pointless laws like drinking ages had gone by the wayside during the Monarch War, seeing as kids as young as thirteen had been allowed to enlist. If you were old enough to train with deadly weapons, then beer was pretty far down the list of concerns. Not that alcohol was easy or affordable for most people to procure, but there was definitely no worry about our ages.

  "Uh..." I hesitated, my eyes bugging out at the huge array of colorful bottles on the bar. My only experience with alcohol was the rough moonshine served in illegal basement bars. "Whatever you're having."

  She gave me a wry grin and ordered two of something called a flaming illusion. The bartender got to work mixing and shaking our drinks, and Mattie propped her elbows on the bar.

  "Sorry about that shit with Rafe," she said, wrinkling her nose. "I should have warned you Nolan was friends with him."

  I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, it would have been nice, given my first run-in with him. Why didn't you?"

  Her smile turned guilty. "Honestly? I figured you'd refuse to come out tonight if you knew he was catching a lift with us. Literally the whole school heard about that scene on the soccer field."

  I groaned inwardly. Great. I hadn't even been at Arbon Academy one freaking day and the rumor mill was at work. "I probably wouldn't have. Why did you care so much? Being a princess with mad makeup skills, I assume you’re not hard up for friends."

  Mattie shrugged. "Real friends are hard to find, new girl. Especially in this world.” Another shrug. “I have a good sense about people, and I'm pretty sure that being friends with you will keep me endlessly entertained this year." She smiled as she said it, her eyes glittering with mischief so I knew she wasn't insulting me. "Besides, there are plenty of other bitches who'll hate you just for who you are. You need a friend, and I'm available."

  I grinned back at her. "Well, with an offer like that, how can I refuse?"

  "Damn right." She accepted two bright green, on fire cocktails from the bartender and handed one to me. "Cheers, new girl."

  I watched her blow the flame out from the top of her drink before taking a long sip, then did the same myself. The drink was fruity and sweet, nothing at all like the bathtub moonshine I was used to, and I found myself gulping it back.

  "Whoa, girl." Mattie g
iggled placing a hand on my arm to slow what was about to be another huge mouthful. "These suckers pack a punch. Last thing you want to do is get wasted and dance on a table before everyone else is drunk enough to join you."

  I flashed her a mischievous look. "I dunno... I'm a pretty good dancer."

  She laughed some more, but led me away from the bar.

  Everywhere we went, she greeted people with enthusiasm and air kisses, but quickly moved on when they gave me dirty looks or asked outright rude questions, like my very favorite, "Do all poor people trade sex for food?" Which was quickly followed by a casual mention that he had a couple of chocolate bars in his car.

  Within about an hour of arriving, I'd learned several important points. One: the majority of the Arbon Academy students thought I was lower than dirt. Two: Rafe was crazy good at avoiding me, and for that I was eternally grateful. Three: Mattie hadn't been lying about the potency of those cocktails.

  She'd just left me on one of the many balconies while she went to get us refills, and I was feeling that early haze of drunkenness loosen my shoulders and relax my grin.

  "Ah, so you did come after all," a warm, joking voice murmured in my ear, and tingles zapped through my body.

  I turned to face Alex, and a stab of guilt hit near my belly upon seeing the small frown on his brow. "Alex, hey! I'm so sorry. Mattie..."

  He gave a small eye roll, but his frown faded and he offered a lopsided grin. "Trust me, I'm well aware of how Mattie can be. I'm just glad she left you alone long enough that I could speak with you."

  Flirty butterflies flapped around in my belly. "I didn't know she was keeping you away."

  Alex made a sound in his throat but didn't comment any further. Instead, he changed the subject.

  "How are you liking your first Arbon party, Violet?"

  His gaze was intense, in a good way, and I found myself drowning a little in the deep blue of his eyes. He called me Violet. Not new girl or charity case or Cinderella. That in itself would have been enough to spark a bit of a crush, if I wasn't already halfway there. There was something about Alex that drew me to him.

  "Uh, I'm just surprised it’s on a Monday night," I admitted with a small laugh, "but I guess it's probably hard to impose a curfew when half the students are royals."

  I'd meant to just make conversation, but as soon as the words left my mouth I cringed. Fucking hell, how'd I forget so quickly that Alex himself was a royal? So much for my plan to steer clear of the monarchy, when here I was giggling and flirting with the Prince of Australiasia.

  He must have known where my mind had gone because he ducked his head with a sheepish look. "Ah, I guess Mattie filled you in on my parentage, huh?"

  I nodded. "Yup."

  My flirty smile had slipped, and Alex's brows dipped slightly with disappointment. "I get the feeling that you're less than excited by the prospect of dating an heir."

  "It's nothing personal," I offered with an uncomfortable shrug. "I know my place here will be hard enough as it is. I just want to fly under the radar, you know? Get a fancy Arbon Academy degree and make a new life for myself."

  Alex nodded his understanding, but his mouth turned down. "Most ballot winners would be doing everything possible to gain favor with the royals." It was a casual observation, but my skin prickled with unease.

  "I'm not most ballot winners, Alex." I said it gently and deliberately used his given name. We were all on equal footing—supposedly—while enrolled at the academy, and the use of honorific titles wasn't required.

  His gaze captured mine again, and for a long, awkward moment he just stared at me.

  When he finally blinked, breaking our eye contact, it was with a heavy, defeated sigh. "I suppose you're not."

  I felt like a total asshole. Here was this gorgeous guy who'd actually been nice to me, and I was shutting him down before even getting to know him. Was I any better than all the other douchebags at this party? Judging him based on his circumstances and not bothering to get to know him as a person?

  "So, no hard feelings?" I asked, hopeful that my rejection wasn't creating another powerful enemy before classes had even begun.

  That beautiful smile of his spread back across his face, wiping away those traces of disappointment I'd just seen. "Of course not, Violet. I'm not a total dick like some of the other royals here." His eyes shot quickly to the side, and I couldn't help looking to see who he meant.

  Surprise, surprise, there was Rafe standing across the room glaring at us like he could cause spontaneous combustion simply by the force of his dark thoughts.

  "Well, I'm glad," I murmured, shifting my weight so that my back was to Rafe. I had no idea what his issue was with me, and I refused to give him the time of day about it. "So, I guess I'll see you around?"

  "Oh, you misunderstand me, Violet." Alex's eyes sparkled as he grinned at me. "Just because I understand your concerns doesn't mean I'll be walking away and giving up. It just means I need to prove I'm worth the trouble."

  I groaned inwardly, even as a small—okay, big—part of me screamed with excitement. Apparently, Prince Alex didn't see this conversation as a rejection at all. He saw it as a challenge.

  Shit.

  "Alex—" I started, but he shook his head to cut me off.

  "Don't worry, Violet. I'll protect you from the haters." His smile was all confidence. Or was that arrogance? It was such a fine line with handsome, powerful men.

  I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. "Why do you care, Alex? I'm sure there are plenty of other girls clamoring for your favor and affections."

  He barked a laugh, but didn't disagree. "Didn't you know, Violet? You're my future wife. I just have to convince you it’s a good idea." His glittering gaze was all mischief and stubborn determination, but Mattie returned with fresh drinks before our banter could continue. Though I did have time to weird out on the fact that he’d just mentioned for a second time marrying me. Sure, it was in jest, but still … was that something he said to every chick he flirted with?

  It had to be because I had no title, money, or family.

  I was nobody.

  "Australasia, I thought I told you to leave my friend alone," Mattie snapped at Alex, her lips pursed with annoyance. She handed me one of the flaming drinks, and I carefully blew the fire out.

  Alex shot her an annoyed look, then dismissed her, focusing all of his attention on me. "Have fun tonight. I’ll see you around, Violet.”

  With that remark, he swaggered off into the crowd and left me with Mattie.

  My new friend didn’t say anything, her mouth pursed for a few minutes before she finally relaxed. Deciding to focus on getting to know her, and distracting us both from Alex, I asked about her family and home.

  “We rule a little country in South America,” she said, pushing back some of her red hair. “Have you heard of the Guays? You know, what used to be Paraguay, Uruguay, and some of Argentina.”

  Geography wasn’t my strongest subject, but everyone had to learn about the ruling kingdoms. “Your country is the one that developed that early warning system for future nuclear and cyber attacks, right?”

  Small they might be, but from the little I knew, they were a wealthy country and a big deal in the underground military worlds.

  Mattie’s face brightened. “Yes! You heard about that?”

  It was obvious she was proud, despite not wanting to be known as a royal.

  “Everyone heard about it,” I said with a laugh. “I like to keep up with current events. I even managed to find an organization that prints news in the old way. On paper.”

  As soon as the words left my mouth, I wished I’d kept it to myself. Paper was a rare resource in some parts of the world—no longer did they waste it on anything that could be done verbally or digitally. Having access to it illegally was a harshly punishable offense.

  The world these days was all about keeping order and “punishing” those who didn’t fall into line.

  Mattie didn’t even blink. “Yeah, they de
liver us the news on paper every morning. The students like to have something to read while they eat their breakfast.”

  Yeah, should have known the finite resources of the world would not limit anything at Arbon. I took a final drink, finishing the deliciousness, before setting the glass on a nearby table. I noticed a few other people on the wide balcony move closer together and whisper amongst themselves, but Mattie distracted me by dragging me inside the house and to the main dance floor. With heat flooding my body and the alcohol dulling my senses, I let the beat fill me as I started to dance.

  I hadn’t been lying before; dancing was one of the two things in the world I considered myself pretty fucking skilled at doing. It was also one of two things that kept me sane in this mess of rules that governed all of us, especially those of us who were poor.

  Since I was sort of stuck not being able to indulge in my other mental and physical escape, dancing would have to do for a while. So I was not wasting one second.

  “New girl can move,” a smooth voice came from beside me, and I flipped Nolan off before it registered that he was a crown royal and could probably have my head removed from my body for that offense.

  Lucky he was as laid-back as his sister, throwing his head back and laughing loudly. “I’m swinging your way today,” he told me, and I remembered that Mattie had said neither of them were completely straight. Was that what he’d meant?

  Also … could I survive these flirty princes?

  Deciding it was best not to let any of them know I was rattled, I forced a smirk. “Swing away, Nole. I’m a first level baseball player. I can take anything you send my way.”

  It wasn’t a lie. I had played for the firsts, but it was the “poor league” so there was no professional ambitions for us. No matter how good you were.

  I mean, there was a lottery for that as well, but I’d already won mine for a lifetime.

  His gaze ran across me. “Yeah, you’ve got that whole athletic vibe I’m really digging.”

  Mattie rolled her eyes so hard I practically heard it. “Fuck off, Nole. Seriously. Every single time I find a friend, you screw around with them and then they’re out the door. No. Touchie.”