by Leigh Walker
“I appreciate that you understand. But you know that there’s…more to come.” He looked miserable. “I cannot reject all the other girls out of turn. They’ve come here and left their families, hoping for a better life. At the very least, they deserve a fair chance.”
I nodded. “I understand. Eve and I talked about this very thing yesterday—how I needed to remember ‘the bigger picture.’”
He raked a hand through his hair. “But how are you going to handle it? Every time you’re forced to watch an episode, you’re going to doubt me.”
“Doubt you how?”
He frowned again, as if this was enough of an answer.
I scratched the horse behind the ears. “When I feel bad, I will simply have to remember this day, and my dear Maeve.” She whinnied beneath me. “I shall remember the kindness you showed me.”
He relaxed a bit. “Today’s been my pleasure. There’s nothing I’d rather do. And you’re really very pleasant company when you aren’t lying to me or biting my head off.” He chuckled.
Before I could argue, we rounded a corner, and the castle came back into view. Dallas visibly stiffened.
“One more thing, Gwyneth. I haven’t forgotten about your family. I had what I thought was a lead on the whereabouts of your father and Balkyn, but the trail was cold. Nothing’s been confirmed.”
Dallas had promised to find out if my father and brother, who’d joined the rebel army and been missing for five years, were alive or dead.
I clutched the reins. “What did you hear? Are they alive or dead?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t want to bring it up, but I also didn’t want you to think I’d forgotten.”
I stopped Maeve. “Please. Anything you can tell me—even if it turns out to be false—I want to hear it. I haven’t had any news of them since they left, aside from the lies Benjamin Vale told me.” I shuddered, thinking of the dead rebel and how he’d tricked me into believing he knew where my brother was.
Dallas stopped his horse and stared at the castle, his face stormy. “I don’t want to give you false hope.”
My heart rate quickened. “So you heard they’re still alive.”
He nodded. “But I don’t know if it’s true. I don’t want you to be completely crushed if it isn’t.”
“If they’re dead, I’m going to be completely crushed anyway.” I waited until his gaze met mine. “Thank you.”
“As soon as I hear something, I’ll come to you.” He nodded, and we took off at a trot.
“Is there any news of the rebels?” I hoped my inquiry wouldn’t upset him.
The muscle in his jaw jumped. “Nothing good, I’m afraid. That’s part of the reason I had to travel. They’ve been very active in making threats.”
“That must be difficult.”
“It’s more dangerous than it is difficult.”
I guided Maeve along the path, unsure of what to say. The rebels were humans. My father and brother had gone off to fight with them. Until I’d come to the palace, I’d considered them my people.
But whatever my connection to the rebels, I still cared about the prince’s well being. “Are you safe? Are you worried about another attack?”
“My safety’s the last thing you need to be worried about. And as for another attack, I have pledged to keep you safe.”
“I’m not worried about me.”
His nostrils flared. “You don’t need to be. That’s my job.” Dallas was a wee bit overprotective.
“I’m sorry to have brought it up, but of course, it’s on my mind after what happened.” A rebel army had attacked the palace a few weeks ago. The royals had killed most of them and taken a few prisoners—one of whom was the treacherous Benjamin Vale, who Dallas had drained dry after he’d tried to escape.
“I know you’re in a difficult position. Caught between two worlds, I suppose.” Dallas’s gaze raked over me. “Yours and mine.”
“There is only one world. And I don’t want anyone—on either side—to be hurt. I don’t think that’s a difficult position, do you?”
He looked thoughtful. “No. Not when you put it that way, Gwyneth. It doesn’t seem difficult at all.”
Chapter 7
My Friends They Are So Beautiful
“One last stop before we have to go back.” Dallas guided his horse to the left of the castle.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.” He picked up speed, and I followed, sad that we were back so soon. Hours had passed. I was likely needed at curtsying practice, but given the choice, I would’ve kept riding Maeve until the moon came out.
We rounded the corner and came to a large, white barn and sprawling stable. “I want to show you where your new friend Maeve lives, in case you ever want to come and see her.”
“Would I be able to do that?”
“Absolutely. I’ll have it arranged with Tariq that you’re able to come out here every day, and I’ll try to take you riding again when I can. I’m afraid it’s not safe for you to go out on your own.”
“Because of the rebels?”
Dallas arched an eyebrow. “Or the garden gnomes,” he said, clearly teasing.
“Ha-ha.” I came even with him.
“Why’re you frowning like that?”
“Are there really such things as garden gnomes?”
“Hmm. Well, they don’t all live in gardens, I suppose. Only the civilized ones do that.”
My jaw dropped. “There are uncivilized gnomes?”
“I’m going to let you keep guessing about that.” His eyes twinkled. “Here we are.”
We stopped at the stable, and two groomsmen came out, taking the reins for us. They were both human. When I’d first come to the palace, I’d been shocked by how many civilians worked for the royal family. They co-existed peacefully. I’d mostly gotten used to it, but every once in a while, it gave me a jolt.
Vampires and humans, living together in peace. It was certainly not something I’d ever expected.
We climbed off the horses and I stroked Maeve’s mane. “Thank you for a wonderful ride,” I told her.
She whinnied in response.
Dallas beamed at me as the men led the horses to their stalls. “It appears you have a new friend.”
I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face. “She’s amazing.”
Dallas held out his hand for me. “Let me introduce you to the rest of the horses and show you around.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure, Gwyneth.”
I didn’t want to leave the stables—ever—but we had to get back. Dallas and I held hands as we walked. The camera crew trailed us, and I briefly wondered what the other girls would say when this episode aired.
They weren’t going to be happy. But speaking of their happiness…
“Your—Dallas, I was wondering something.”
“Nice save.” He smiled at me. “And yes?”
“Would it be possible for the other girls to come out to the stable, too? I know they’d love it. Everyone was so excited when we got to the castle and saw all the horses.”
He stopped walking. “That’s very kind of you to include them.”
“I told you I’m not all bad.”
He brought my hands up to his lips and kissed them.
My heart did a somersault as our eyes locked.
He leaned forward, and I lifted my face, but there was suddenly a cough directly behind us.
“Your Highness?”
Dallas turned to the guard, his face twisting with annoyance. “Oh, for the love of all things holy, your timing’s horrible.”
“I’m so sorry to interrupt.” The guard coughed again. “It’s the king, Your Majesty. He’s requested you immediately.”
The prince smoothed his features. “I’m coming.”
“Thank you. I’ll let His Majesty know. And my apologies about the timing.” The guard’s eyes crinkled in a mixture of regret and humor.
He strode off before we
could all be embarrassed together.
Dallas sighed. “I’m sorry about that.”
I smiled up at him. “Duty calls. I understand—and no, I’m not just being agreeable.”
“Good. Nicely done.” Dallas leaned down and gave me a brief kiss on the cheek—brief, but it still made my whole body tingle.
I sighed as he pulled away. “Thank you for a wonderful morning.”
“I enjoyed it more than you know.” He looked toward the castle and cursed. “I have to go.”
I nodded.
“One last thing.” He leaned back down next to me and inhaled.
“Are you sniffing me?”
He pulled back, dimple on full display. “Yes. You are delectable, Gwyneth, if I do say so myself.”
My cheeks heated. “That’s a compliment, right?”
He tucked a hair behind my ear. “The highest kind, where I come from.”
He turned to the guards and I realized that they, and the entire camera crew, were watching us, transfixed.
“Please see Miss West safely to her lesson,” he instructed the guards. Then he turned to me and bowed. “My lady. It’s been a pleasure.”
I sighed as I watched him stride away, hoping that the crew wouldn’t catch my fangirling on film.
“Oh, dear lord.” Now I knew why my maids had left out running tights, a tank top and athletic shoes for me to change into.
The “lesson” that Tariq had planned was nothing more than a glorified workout. All the girls had on athletic clothes, too, and he was running them through a circuit. Kettle bells, jump ropes, and mini-bands littered the floor.
Every girl I passed had a red, sweating face and frizzy hair.
The girl with the thick, blond ponytail and the caffeine jitters nodded as I walked by. “He’s trying to kill us, I swear.” She did another bicep curl with a weight and grimaced. “He’s had us at this all morning.”
“Why?”
“He wants us to look good for the cameras.” She put the barbell on the floor, wiped her hand on her tank top, and held it out for me to shake. “I’m Blake, by the way. Settlement Fifteen.”
“I’m Gwyneth, Settlement Four.”
Blake grinned at me, and I noticed for the first time how pretty she was. “Oh, I know who you are. Everyone does.”
“They do?”
“Of course! You’re the girl the prince can’t stay away from.” She didn’t say it in a mean way.
“Is that what people think?”
She shrugged. “That’s what they say. You never know what they’re actually thinking.”
I laughed. “True.”
“Did you have a second date this morning?”
I nodded.
“And?”
“And it was lovely.”
Blake grinned. “Good for you. I’m totally rooting for you.”
“You are? Aren’t you rooting for yourself?”
“Sure, but the prince doesn’t seem too interested in me.” She picked up the barbell and started on another set. “I’m just psyched to still be here. I haven’t had this much food in five years.”
I laughed, warming to Blake. I admired her honesty. “Me too.”
She winked at me. “And heads up—I’m pretty sure Tamara’s prepped to grill you. She’s been on the warpath about your date all morning.”
My heart sank. “Great. Thanks for letting me know.”
“Anytime.”
I headed for the back corner, where Shaye was rather listlessly jumping rope and Tamara was aggressively doing squats, while watching her form—or maybe her amazing glutes—in the mirror.
“Hey.” I picked up a mini-band and turned it over, wondering the heck to do with it.
“How’d it go?” Shaye practically tripped over her jump rope and stopped. “Geez, I guess I can’t jump and talk at the same time.”
“Tell us everything,” Tamara commanded, dropping into another deep squat. “We need to be prepared for when it’s our turn.”
I took the mini-band and wrapped it around my fingers, making a cat’s cradle. Then I flexed my fingers, as if this constituted working out.
“We went riding.”
“Horses?” Tamara snapped.
“We didn’t ride unicycles, silly.”
She frowned. “Details, please.”
“It was nice. The horses were gorgeous.”
“Those aren’t the details I’m looking for. Did he kiss you?”
I narrowed my eyes. “No.”
Relief flitted across Shaye’s face so quickly I might have imagined it.
“It was a morning date,” she said supportively, recovering quickly. “It doesn’t mean anything that he didn’t kiss you.”
“Says the girl who’s already been kissed.” Tamara arched an eyebrow then turned her attention back to me. “I don’t understand why he keeps sniffing about when he hasn’t even kissed you yet.”
“He kissed my cheek,” I mumbled, face reddening.
“You and your ever-loving cheek. I might die of boredom.” Tamara whipped her ponytail around as Tariq approached us.
I wasn’t usually happy to see the royal emissary, but anything that interrupted Tamara was welcome relief.
“Ladies.” He bowed then turned his attention to me. “How was your morning? The crew reported they were very happy with the footage. I can’t wait to review it.”
“We had a wonderful time.”
Tamara made a gagging noise, but I ignored her. “In fact, there’s something I’d like to speak to you about.”
His eyes sparkled with interest. Tariq might be the biggest gossip of them all. “Yes?”
“Dallas—His Highness—offered to let me visit the stables daily, so that I might see the horses and enjoy some fresh air. But we’d like all the contestants to be able to participate. I know he was going to talk to you about it, but I just wanted to ask. Is that something you’d be willing to consider?”
“His Highness agreed to open stable privileges for all the girls?”
“Yes.”
“Then of course, I’m amenable to it.” He stroked his chin, considering. “It will be good to share that sort of kindness with the viewers. I think it’s an excellent idea. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Gwyneth.”
He bowed again and left. He must’ve been pleased because he didn’t even yell at me for not exercising.
Both Tamara and Shaye were staring at me. “What?”
Tamara snorted. “‘We’d like all the contestants to participate’?”
My face reddened again. “The prince and I talked about it this morning. I didn’t mean—”
“You didn’t mean to sound like a superior, snotty bitch?”
“Whoa.” I extricated my fingers from the mini-band and tossed it to the ground. “You did not just call me that.”
Tamara puffed out her sports-bra-clad chest. “Did so.”
I took a step closer. “If anyone’s a superior, snotty—”
“Hey.” Shaye stepped between us. “Knock it off, you two.”
Tariq came hustling back, distracted. “By the way, I forgot to mention: Tamara, you have a second date with the prince tomorrow. Details to follow!”
He paused, noting the two of us glaring at each other. “Is there a problem, ladies?”
“Not anymore, Tariq.” Tamara relaxed, beaming at the news of being chosen for a second date. “I was just about to show the girls how to do a proper squat.”
Tariq shrugged one shoulder at her. “You know you’re the best at that.”
She snapped her fingers. “That’s the truth.”
It took every ounce of my willpower not to throttle the insipid cow.
“Ladies.” Tariq bowed and was off, again.
“Well, that’s better.” Tamara tossed her ponytail and stalked back to her position near the mirror. She resumed her relentless squatting, looking as if she were dropping into a tiny, tiny stool. “I can’t wait to be alone with the prince again.”
“You’re a prat, Tamara.”
She winked at me. “At least you won’t die of boredom when you hear how my date goes. I’ll be sure to keep it interesting.”
And I’ll be sure to smack that smug look off your face.
“Fine.” I rolled my shoulders back and grabbed a jump rope, as if I couldn’t care less. “May the best woman win.”
“Well that would be Shaye,” Tamara quipped. “And lord knows she’s not going to win.”
Shaye put her hands on her hips. “I beg your pardon!”
“Face it, you’re too nice.” Tamara dropped into another squat. “But I’m not.”
I continued to jump rope, issuing a litany of curses under my breath. These included, but were not limited to, prat, cow, and entitled-Settlement-11 squat-loving douche-nozzle.
But I just kept jumping and kept the insults to myself.
The prince had shown me a kindness today. I would not let Tamara undo my happiness.
I would not let her win.
Chapter 8
Got Nothing On You
I had a letter from my mother the next morning.
Dear Gwyneth,
I watched the next two episodes. Those girls have nothing on you, although I will say the one from Settlement 24 has a good story, coming from such a poor home. It’s probably fake, a ploy by her family to win favor.
Why didn’t we think of that?
The other girl, the one with the long black hair, was positively intolerable. Such a fake. She’s good-looking, though, I have to give her that. She’ll land on her feet. Mark my word.
I still think your date was the best. The prince might’ve kissed that other girl, but he didn’t look at either of them the way he looked at you. Have faith, my dear.
We’re counting on you.
Which brings me to the reason for this letter. I don’t want you to worry because you need to take care of yourself, but Winnie’s been quite ill. She’s had a high fever. I had Dr. Northman come to see her, but he doesn’t have any supplies left. I’m not sure what we’ll do next. I’m watching her nonstop. Please pray for her, Gwyneth? Send a funny note with news of the prince. That would cheer her up.
