by ERIN BEDFORD
“Why not?” he asked, bringing a hand to his face as he studied me. “Don’t you want to just run away to a fantasy world every once in a while?”
I shook my head. “I live in the real world. A fantasy world is only good to me if it’s being used to start a fire.”
“What about history?” he offered next. “Are you not interested in knowing about the past?”
I frowned. “What’s the point? Today is what matters. Nothing that happened to someone else can help me put food on my table or a roof over my head.”
Patrick leaned back in his chair and seemed to think for a moment. “Those things are important to you, yes?”
I half laughed. “Aren’t they to everyone?”
“Most people, when asked what’s important, would answer with ‘looks’ or ‘money’.”
“I’m not most people,” I retorted, becoming a bit irritated.
“We can see that.” He smirked and his companions laughed.
“What I can’t see is the point to all of this?” I snapped. “You bring us here, lavish us with food and fancy clothing,” I jerked at the bottom of my shirt, “When you have people starving out in the rest of the rings.”
The entire table became silent. Patrick’s pale eyes locked onto me with such intensity that I was sure he would have me killed for my outburst. But he simply waved Daphne forward. She rushed to my side and led me out of the room.
Once in the hallway, I collapsed against the wall. I hadn’t meant to get so upset but I couldn’t just sit there and talk about such nonsense when they were clearly blind to what was going on in the rest of Alban.
“I’m dead,” I muttered to myself. “They’re going to kill me.”
“Nonsense.” Daphne waved me off. “They’ve never killed anyone for speaking their mind and quite frankly I applaud you for your bravery. They need someone to bring them down a peg or two.”
I stared up at her, my heart racing. “Really? You think so?”
“I know so.” She gave me a reassuring smile. “Now, let’s get some food in that belly. I know, you must be famished.”
While my stomach growled in response, I didn’t think I could eat anything until I knew for sure I’d be alive tomorrow. Or worst yet, if my family would be.
Chapter 10
After our interviews, we weren’t sent back to the gathering room. Instead we were given free rein to do with our time what we liked until the party that evening. I spent that time pacing my room, wringing my hands in front of me.
While Daphne had reassured me that I wouldn’t be punished for my little outburst, I wasn’t so sure. The longer I was left to my own devices the more anxious I became. No other guest would have dared shout at them the way I had. If I was in their position I knew I wouldn’t let me live.
But what I wanted to know was why it was taking so long for them to come get me.
The television screen on my bedroom wall came on by itself and a song played before the scoreboard from before showed on the screen. I didn’t want to look. I didn’t dare look. My score yesterday had been great but then again, my little bout with my shoes looked like a cute mishap compared to today’s disaster.
Unfortunately, the screen didn’t turn off and I couldn’t figure out how to turn it off on my own. So, to stave off the urge to check it, I marched from my room. The door slammed shut behind me making me wince and search the hallway, but no one noticed.
Arms wrapped around my waist, I strolled through the hallway with no destination in mind. I just couldn’t stay in that room any longer and they had said we could do what we wanted. If I was going to die today I wanted to be outside—at least one more time.
I searched for a way to get outdoors, a garden or a terrace but with no luck. Tired of looking, I sank down against the wall and buried my head in my lap. Why couldn’t I have stayed in the Glade? If my father hadn’t married Belinda, Julianna would be the one here and I’d be back home clearing the crops for the new season.
My eyes pricked with tears and I didn’t fight them. My shoulders heaved as I wallowed in my misery not caring if anyone saw me. I was dead anyway. What did I care what they thought?
Like everything that had happened to me since I arrived, I didn’t have much choice in the matter. My solace was broken by a tut-tutting and then a hand on my shoulder. I slowly glanced up from my lap and saw the older woman from before.
Venna.
“Dear, why are you crying?” she asked in a motherly tone. I found myself wanting to throw myself into her arms and bury my face in her chest. The same kind of thing I would have done to my own mother but I refrained. I didn’t know this woman and I highly doubted she would let a stranger impose upon her in such a manner.
I wiped my nose with the back of my hand not caring that I probably look a blotchy mess. “I wanted to go outside.”
My voice was small and childlike making Venna smile. “Well, why didn’t you just ask? You can get lost in the place.”
She helped me stand to my feet and I chuckled. “They should give us a map or something.”
“There is one, in your room.”
“Oh.” I frowned at her words and realized I had been so caught up in my own misery I hadn’t bothered to check out what my room had to offer me. The only thing that had seemed important had been staying alive and finding a map hadn’t been part of that.
Venna patted my hand and guided me down the hallway. “But since you are here, I’d be happy to take you to the garden. You are quite close, actually.”
My body sagged in relief. Soon I’d be outside. Everything would be alright as soon as I got out of here.
“You know,” Venna started, “I knew from the start you were special.”
“How so?” I glanced at her from the side. “You don’t even know me.”
“Because you didn’t come in wearing your finest, or hide how lost you were.” She spoke as though it were the best compliment she could give me. Which, as far as I knew, it might have been.
“Fat lot of good it’s done me.” I snorted.
“Nonsense,” she clicked her tongue at me. “You’ve had the highest score two days in a row. I’d say it has done you well.”
“What?” I gaped at her. “I had a high score again?”
This time it was her turn to frown. “Didn’t you read the scores? You and that girl...what’s her name? The little one with the pretty eyes?”
“Violet.”
“Yes.” She nodded. “Her. You two are almost neck and neck. Though, her color is still pink. I can’t blame them though. Her eyes really are something unusual.”
I wasn't really listening to her anymore, too stunned by what she had told me. How the hell had I gotten a high score again? I’d been as stiff as a statue and hadn’t proved to be any more interesting than a fly on a horse’s backside. I had been so sure I’d be killed or sent home before the party even happened.
Venna stopped us at a set of glass double doors. “Well, I’m sure you will do great. Many us are rooting for you!”
Smiling, I nodded but the outdoors being so close to me I couldn’t really find the initiative to continue the conversation. Instead, I thanked her and exited through one of the doors.
Instantly, the sun warmed my face and I took a deep breath. The air wasn’t as clean as it was in the Glade but it was better than nothing. Enough that I almost fell asleep standing there against the palace doors.
Eventually, I opened my eyes and took in the world around me. The garden wasn’t like my mother’s back home. There weren’t any fruits or vegetables growing, just long rows of different-colored flowers. I moved away from the doors and walked down the rows, taking in the brilliant colors, though sadly they were just as manufactured as the ones in the Inner Circle. Did nothing truly grow here?
As I strolled through the garden, I nodded at a few guests who had also come outside to enjoy the day, but for the most part kept to myself. About half an hour too late, I realized I should have been making friends
with them rather than pretending they weren’t there. Too caught up in my own misery, I had forgotten all about Martha and Asher’s advice.
I turned on my heel to catch up with the couple who had walked by me but was caught by a servant. The young woman handed me an envelope before darting away without a word.
Turning it over in my hand, I didn’t see a seal from the fold but it did have my name on it. I glanced around me and then found a bench to sit on. Opening the envelope, I held my breath as I read the note.
My dearest Clarabelle,
Your stepmother has fallen deeply ill and she calls for you to come to her side. We miss you and wish to have you home again with us. Please come before it is too late.
Love, your father.
Frowning at the note, I didn’t know what to make of it. It wasn’t from him. He never called me Clarabelle. Even when he was mad at me. Another sign was the reason he wanted me to come home. If Belinda was sick she wouldn’t have asked for me. I’d be the last person on this earth she’d want to see on her deathbed. So, the letter had to be a trick.
But who had sent it?
I got to my feet just in time to see Zara and the two girls she had been ranting to last night, watching me from behind a tree. They giggled and hid when they realized they had been spotted.
There was the culprit.
I sighed and started for the palace not bothering to confront her. Asher had said she might try something. Even Marsha had. But of all the things she could have done, a fake letter from home seemed a bit childish.
Crumpling the letter in my hand, I made my way back to my room. Thankfully, I only got lost once before I found my door, it’s condition a little different than how I’d left it.
Painted across the off-white wood, in what could have been lipstick, was an array of insults. Slut. Whore. Cheater. Someone had even gone so far as to write ‘Moo’ on there. As if being compared to a cow wasn’t something I had heard before.
Sighing, I entered my room. There wasn’t anything I could do about it. I’d been targeted as the person to beat and now they were trying to use grade-school antics to scare me away. But their tricks had the opposite effect on me.
Now that I knew being different than the others wasn’t a hindrance but rather what might help me win, I would be as different as I could be. No more trying to fit in with them and their Soft Hand minds. I was from the Glade and I would act like it.
If Patrick or any of the others wanted me after that then more the better. Now, to figure out how.
Chapter 11
Asher and his team showed up to my room shortly after my epiphany. The trio took one look at my tear-stained face and huddled around me trying to find out what was wrong.
“You scored big again!” Neeka shouted. “Why aren’t you dancing around the room in your knickers? I know I would be.”
I gave her a small smile. “Probably because I was too worried about getting killed to check the scoreboard.”
“What?” Asher cried out, coming to my side. “What happened? Did someone try to hurt you?”
I shook my head and then explained what happened in the interviews. Their reaction wasn’t to gasp in horror but instead to laugh hysterically. It was my turn to be concerned.
Asher finished laughing and cleared his throat before taking me by the arms. “They might be a lot of things but punishing someone for telling the truth has never been one of them. Many of them probably had no idea what you were talking about and found your outburst amusing. Which would be reason enough for your high score. But I think it’s more than that.”
“What else could it be?” I glanced around me. “I mean, I’m thankful I’m not dead and I’m flattered they would give me such a high score. One that owes a lot of thanks to you and your outfit.” I gestured down at my clothes. “But why else would I get a high score?”
Asher exchanged a look with the trio before he said, “A few reasons. They either see you as a threat. Or they want you desperately.” The trio giggled at the last bit, earning them a glare from me.
The thought of anyone wanting me desperately—or any other way—was a bit strange to me. I was just the overseer’s daughter; no one wanted me. Except maybe the overseer. But he was my father. He had to love me.
“So, what’s the outfit look like tonight?” I asked, ready to get the conversation off me and my outrageous score.
The trio and Asher exchanged a pleased look before they pulled out three suitcases. Frowning at the bags, I glanced back at my team. “What’s all this?”
“Well,” Neeka started grinning like a fiend.
“It’s your outfits.” Willow smirked and then Rosel added, “For the balls.”
My mouth dropped open and then I stuttered, “Balls? Like plural?”
The trio nodded enthusiastically.
“Wait, just a second.” I waved my hands in front of me. “I was told of one party. One.” I held up a single finger, shoving it in their faces.
“And that had been the plan,” Asher explained, his hands tucked in his pockets. “Until they realized how many guests there were this year...that it would be ridiculously hard to pick without weeding out the others.”
“So...” I drew out, pointing to the bags. “I’m assuming there are three balls?”
“Yes!” the trio cried out and then started to unveil their goods.
“Hold on.” Asher stopped them. He pressed his finger against his lips as he glanced over them before he pointed to the one in Willow’s hands. “That one. Only show her that one.”
“Why?” I asked turning to him. “What does it matter if I see them all? I’m going to have to wear them after all.”
Asher smiled and held his hands out. “Humor me.”
Growling, I dragged a hand through my hair. “Fine. Let’s get this over with. I’ve got a ball to get to.”
Neeka and Rosel slumped slightly, their excitement deflated by Asher’s commands. Willow, on the other hand, started to unwrap her goods, her eyes full of eagerness.
“This one is my favorite,” Willow told me as she uncloaked a mint-green gown. Full-skirted with small butterflies decorating the gauze material, the dress was strapless and came with long matching elbow length gloves.
“Wow.” I gaped. “It’s like right out of a fairytale.”
“I thought you didn’t read?” Asher asked making me eyeball him.
“How do you know about that?” He hadn’t been in the interview process.
Ashe crossed his arms over his chest with a mysterious grin. “People talk. Even the members of the fold.”
Not really believing him, I dropped the subject and turned to the trio. “Alright, let’s get this over with. I’ve got a party to get to.”
The three women crowded around me with equally creepy grins. I realized then that what they had done to me before had been child’s play and the real challenge would be tonight’s party and the following two. If the fold didn’t pick me for a position they would be sure to remember me for my style.
Three hours later and I was ready. Asher and the trio had outdone themselves this time and I had a feeling it was just the beginning. I stared longingly at the other two covered outfits wondering if they were even better than the one on my body now.
“Time to go, princess.” Asher offered me an arm with a grin. “Can’t leave your audience waiting.”
I made a disbelieving sound in the back of my throat before sliding my arm into his. “The only thing they will be waiting for is me to fall flat on my face.”
Asher rolled his eyes. “You’re wearing flats. The only way you are going to fall is if you get too drunk to walk.”
“That’s not going to happen,” I pointed out as we walked down the hall. Asher had outdone himself. The dress felt light as air so it seemed like I was floating each time I moved. If this outfit didn’t get me the convert position I didn’t know what else would.
“So, what should I expect at this thing?” I asked as we neared the ballroom. After
Veena’s information, I’d finally taken the time to look at the map of the palace. The extent of the map had been impressive. They even had a dungeon. At the time, I had shuddered at the thought of what might happen down there. When I’d asked Asher about it he’d simply said it was more of a storage unit than a torture chamber.
“Torture for your nose maybe,” he’d said laughing.
Now, as he walked me to the first of three events, he wasn’t laughing. His eyes faced forward and a sort of seriousness marred his usually teasing expression.
“You will need to be careful,” he started, his grip on my hand tightening. “The fold might want you but that means the others will hate you even more.”
“What can they do though?” I shrugged. “It’s not like they could kill me right there on the dance floor. Wait,” I pulled us to a stop. “There is dancing, right?”
“Of course.”
I chewed on my bottom lip not letting Asher lead me any further. “That might be a problem.”
“Don’t tell me you can’t dance?” He quirked a brow and then laughed as my face heated. “It’s not that hard. If anyone asks, just follow their lead. Let the music guide you through the steps.”
“If you say so,” I muttered, starting down the hall once more. “But if I faceplant then I’m blaming you.”
“You won’t.” Asher chuckled and stopped at a set of closed double doors. Music came through the walls and my heart began to race. This was really happening. Everything would be decided starting tonight.
I stared at the door not really seeing it. My fingers were turning white from how tightly I held onto Asher’s arm. If it bothered my sponsor he didn’t complain.
“You’ll be fine.” He patted my hand and unwound me from his arm. “Just be your usual charming self and everything will be fine.”
Nodding my head, I reached for the door handle. I took a deep breath in and let it out as I pulled on the door. The music increased in volume and I shut the door.
“I can’t do this.” I turned to Asher my eyes wide with panic. “If I go in there that means they are going to be picking the positions and...and I don’t know what I want.”
