The Gala

by Leigh Walker

He chuckled darkly. “It was a bit more self-interested than that.”

  My cheeks flushed, but I kept trying to soothe him. “Self-interested or not, you are good. I know it.”

  He turned and captured my hand underneath his. “Don’t be so sure.”

  “But I am.” My heart, every inch of me, believed in his goodness.

  His eyes flashed. “I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve this.”

  “What?” I asked, unsure of his meaning.

  “This twist of fate.” He kissed my hand.

  I fought to keep my composure. “Perhaps you’re better than you give yourself credit for, so fate is being kind.”

  “Wouldn’t it be lovely,” he asked, tapping my chin with his finger and turning my face up to his, “if that were true?”

  I opened my mouth to answer, but Dallas leaned closer. Our eyes locked. Electricity zipped between us.

  The question had changed. And oh, so had the answer.

  His gaze burned. “May I?”

  I nodded, and Dallas tentatively put his lips to mine.

  I kissed him back, slowly at first, relishing the feel of his big, strong body against mine. He sank his hands deep into my hair and pulled me closer, so I was almost on his lap. His scent washed over me as our tongues connected. My heart thudded in my chest as I deepened the kiss, daring to run my hands over his broad shoulders.

  He pulled back, his dark gaze raking over me.

  “Wait,” I said breathlessly. “Where are you going?”

  He chuckled, momentarily putting some space between us. “I need to be a gentleman. You said I was your knight in shining armor. I can’t be that and a rogue in the back seat of an SUV.”

  “Sure you can,” I blurted out.

  He laughed again. “Your honor, my lady, is as important to me as your safety. I vow to protect both.”

  I wrinkled my nose. “Ugh. I really hope you reconsider that.”

  His unexpected bark of laughter had me giggling, and some of the tension between us dissipated.

  “We’ll be back to the palace in a few short hours. You should really try to get some rest.” He sat back against the seat and settled me against him, putting his muscular arm around my shoulders.

  “I don’t want to sleep,” I objected, even as I nestled against him. “I want to ask more questions. Or resume…the other stuff.”

  But my voice was already thick. I’d slept for only one hour of the past twenty-four.

  “Sleep. That’s a command.” Dallas chuckled as he stroked my hair.

  Surrounded by his warmth and a largely unfamiliar sense of well being, I fell instantly to sleep.

  “Gwyneth.”

  I curled my hands up near my face, snuggling deeper.

  “We’ll be at the palace in a minute. You should wake up before the cameras get to us.” Dallas still held me close.

  I moaned and wrapped my arms around his broad chest. “You’re quite comfortable, for someone so large.”

  “Large? Is that an insult?”

  “Mmm, I like it. You make me feel safe.”

  Dallas shifted beneath me, and I forced my eyes open so that I could look at him.

  He smiled at me, his full, sensuous lips parting. “I’ve been thinking about something.”

  I sat up, unable to stop staring at his handsome face and those lips. How, in such a few weeks, had he become so important to me? Everything had changed. The center of my gravity had shifted, and I needed to get my bearings.

  “Gwyneth?”

  “Yes?” I adjusted my hair and smoothed my dress, trying to come back to my senses.

  But I knew the truth. Everything was different.

  “I was telling you I’ve been thinking about something.”

  I nodded, as if I’d been listening. “Of course. Go on.”

  He frowned, watching me smooth my dress again. “It’s about us.”

  I looked up, now paying perfect attention. “Yes?”

  He sighed, looking uncomfortable. “I hope to have more time with you once we’re back at the palace.”

  “But?”

  His eyes darkened. “But it won’t be for a while. This trip was unscripted. I’m going to have to catch up on work, and I expect they’re going to have me busy with the production schedule they have lined up.”

  I nodded. “You mean, all the dates you have to go on.”

  Dallas sighed. “Yes.”

  “You’ll have lots of first dates and second dates to attend to, and I’ve already had both.”

  “Yes.” He looked down at our entwined hands. “But I wanted to ask you for something.”

  “Of course.”

  He raised his gaze to meet mine. “I would like to kiss you in front of the cameras. I hope you will not object.”

  Objecting was not foremost on my mind—kissing him was.

  But snogging for the cameras was something altogether different. My nerves thrummed at the thought. “Um, I… Erm…”

  “Let me explain. I will not have time with you again soon, and I want the cameras to see—to see what we have. Because it’s important to me.”

  “Oh, Dallas. That’s so sweet.”

  His gaze burned into me. “It’s not all sweet. I assure you.”

  He took my face in his hands and lowered his lips to mine again.

  At that moment, the privacy window rolled down. “Your Highness, we’ll be pulling up to the palace shortly. We just wanted to make sure you were both ready.”

  Dallas dropped his hands from me and cursed. “Bloody hell, I know where we are!”

  The driver coughed and looked at the other guard. “I’m sorry, my lord. You had asked me to remind you.”

  Dallas composed himself quickly. “I remember. I was just…speaking to Miss West. We’ll be ready.” He put the divider back up. “My apologies.” He raked a hand through his hair, making it stand up in wild spikes.

  The car rolled to a stop, and I sighed. The castle’s stone facade was as beautiful and cold as ever. Servants lined the steps, waiting to welcome the prince back. The camera crew scrambled out of the vehicle behind us and hastily set up their equipment on the lawn.

  Tariq stood on the stairs, a sour look on his face as he peered at our vehicle.

  My stomach flipped. “Tariq’s not going to be happy, is he?”

  Dallas reached back and squeezed my hand. “You don’t need to worry about him or anything else. I’ll take care of it.”

  The king came out and stood next to Tariq, and they huddled together, speaking about something.

  “That can’t be good.” Dallas frowned as he watched them.

  “I’d offer to protect you from them, but I expect that’d be cold comfort.” I squeezed his hand again. “So I’ll offer this instead: no matter what happens, I’m here for you. You’ve shown me so much kindness, Dallas. I won’t forget it.”

  He turned and brushed the hair back from my face then gently put his hands on each of my cheeks. His eyes searched mine, looking for an answer to his silent question.

  Yes. Always. “Please.”

  Dallas swiftly, hungrily put his lips to mine, devouring me with a deep kiss.

  I moaned and arched my back, trying to pull him as close as I could.

  When he finally released me, we were both breathing hard. He shook his head. “That was…” He seemed at a loss for words.

  “Intense.”

  “Yes, it was.” He fastened his dark gaze on me. “And it was just for us. I’ll be much more restrained for the cameras.”

  Too riled up to be embarrassed, I fanned myself. “Sounds like a plan.”

  He glanced outside. “I don’t want to say goodbye to you right now. I’d move into the back of this car with you, if you’d have me.”

  I melted, reaching out to stroke his face to comfort us both. “I wish we didn’t have to go. But this will be a happy memory for me while we have to be apart.”

  He pulled me in for one last, brief kiss, filled with longing. Then he
placed his forehead against mine. “I’ll be thinking of you at every moment.”

  “And I’ll be thinking of you.”

  He released me, and we both straightened ourselves. He blew out a deep breath and held out his hand for me. “It’s time.”

  I swallowed hard and nodded. Then I made myself take his hand, reluctantly leaving our happy little bubble behind.

  Chapter 15

  Don’t Let It Fool You

  Mira Kinney sprang at us as soon as we climbed out of the car. “Your Highness, how was your visit to Settlement Four?”

  Dallas kept his hand firmly around mine. “It was excellent. I met Miss West’s family. They were lovely and hospitable. I’m happy to report that Miss West’s younger sister is feeling much better.”

  “What wonderful news.” Mira smiled at me, flashing all her teeth. “Miss West, everyone at the palace was so sad to hear that your little sister was ill. What was the diagnosis?”

  She shoved the microphone under my nose, and the cameramen turned their klieg lights on me. I tried not to cringe, wondering how worn and mussed-up I must look. That’s not what’s important. Well aware that Tariq and the king were in the audience, I held my head high. I glanced at them briefly. The king watched me with thinly veiled distaste.

  I took a deep breath. “Winnie had the flu. But thanks to His Highness, the royal family, and their staff, my sister was able to get the medical attention she needed. She’s expected to make a full recovery. My family is so honored and thankful that the royal family has helped us in this way.”

  Mira beamed at me. Well done, she mouthed. “Were you surprised that the prince offered to bring you to Settlement Four to see your family?”

  I nodded. “I was, but I shouldn’t have been. His Highness is the most thoughtful, kind man I know.”

  “Why, Miss West.” Dallas bowed to me. “Thank you.”

  I curtsied. “Your Highness. Thank you. For everything.”

  “It was my pleasure.” He clasped my hands then leaned down and kissed me on the lips. It was brief, quite chaste compared to what we were getting up to before, but I still heard one of the servants on the stairs gasp.

  Dallas released me and turned back to the cameras. “And now that we’re back, I’ve important business to attend to. Thank you all for the warm welcome.”

  He nodded to me one last time then released me. With a turn of his heel and the flourish of his cape, he went to join Tariq and his father.

  Mira Kinney and the camera crew packed up. The staff curtsied and bowed as the royals swept up the stairs with Tariq nipping at their heels. They hustled back inside the palace, eager to carry on with their business.

  I stood for a moment, watching them. My heart suddenly felt heavy. I begrudgingly climbed the stairs, missing my family, missing the prince, missing the warmth and cozy security of the car. I was back in the game. But having been home and then having the prince all to myself for those precious hours, I felt more alone than ever.

  Evangeline intercepted me on my way to the common room. “Miss. Miss!”

  She waved me over then stood there, wringing her hands.

  “Is everything all right?”

  She quickly curtsied. “Yes, of course. But I thought you might like to change after such a long ride. I’ll have the guards bring up your bag.” She nodded to them then hustled me up the stairs. “I’m so happy to hear your sister’s better. What a blessing.”

  “Yes, it is. It was lovely to see my family.” We made small talk as we headed to my chambers.

  I waited until we were safely inside my room to ask again. “Is everything really all right?”

  “It is, but I thought I would have a word before you went and saw all the other girls.”

  “Uh oh.” I braced myself. “Am I to guess that they aren’t pleased with me at the moment?”

  “I heard something to that effect.” She bit her lip. “I don’t like to gossip, but I’ve heard that Tamara’s been saying all manner of things, getting the other girls all riled up.”

  I put my hands on my hips, feeling the dull throb of a headache coming on. “Thank you for letting me know. I’ll be prepared to handle it now.”

  Evangeline nodded, but I sensed there was more on her mind.

  “Is there something else?”

  “I also heard that—and I don’t know if it’s true—but I heard that one of the human prisoners killed a guard and escaped.”

  Several of the rebels had been captured during the last attack. They’d been kept in the cells below the castle ever since.

  I put a hand over my heart. “Oh, no. That’s terrible.”

  “Normally, the prince would say something to the staff about it, but it’s different when he’s gone. The king and queen are more private, I guess.”

  “I feel terrible.” Dallas was the person who kept the castle running smoothly. He had an excellent relationship with the staff. I’d taken him away from home when he’d been needed.

  She patted my arm. “You shouldn’t, miss, it’s nothing to do with you. But I heard we might have stricter rules again, like the curfew, and more guards around the palace. I just thought you should know.”

  “Thank you, Evangeline.”

  She smiled. “Now let’s get you in a fresh dress, so you’ll be ready for Tamara and the rest of them.”

  I smiled back, but it felt forced. Tamara was a pain in the butt.

  But an escaped rebel was much, much worse.

  Chapter 16

  Beastly

  “A word, Miss West.” Tariq caught up to me in the hall.

  I nodded, bracing myself for a chewing out. I followed him into a small study, and he closed the door behind us. He immediately started pacing, his hands clasped behind his back.

  “I’ve just come from a meeting with King Black and the prince.”

  I waited for him to continue, but he let that self-important piece of news hang in the air for a moment.

  Finally, I caved. “Yes, Your Royal Emissary?”

  “The King’s very unhappy that the prince left the premises and traveled to Settlement Four without his express permission.”

  I nodded. “I understand. I hope the prince isn’t in too much trouble.”

  “He’s not, thanks largely to me.” He stopped pacing and watched me. “I sent the camera crews after you, of course. They were in touch while in Four, raving about the footage they were getting. The settlers were wild to have the prince among them, and they worship him for saving your sister. His approval ratings are off the chart in your section of Four.”

  “So that’s good.”

  Tariq frowned at me.

  “Or not?”

  He resumed pacing. “We’re putting together the episode tonight. We want the people in every settlement to know how kind the prince is, how much he cares for his people.”

  “Again, that’s good.”

  “What is not good is the disproportionate amount of time the prince has spent with you. It’s unfair to the other girls. Some of them threatened to leave after this last escapade, saying that they weren’t receiving equal treatment.”

  “It wasn’t an escapade. My sister was very ill.” I struggled to keep my voice even. “But I know that D—His Royal Highness—needs to spend time with each contestant. He told me as much. I know he won’t have time for me in the next few weeks. I understand that, and I’m prepared for it.”

  Tariq’s eyes glittered. “That’s not the only problem.”

  “Yes?”

  “The king has voiced his disapproval of you.” He watched me as he delivered the blow. “He’s aware of your family’s connection to the rebels and also of your involvement with the prisoner Benjamin Vale.”

  “I would think he’d hold you responsible for some of this.”

  Tariq narrowed his eyes. “Tread carefully, Gwyn.”

  I stood my ground. “I was brought to the palace by invitation, if you’ll remember—your invitation. It’s on you that you didn’t prop
erly background check the contestants. Look at what happened with Eve!”

  In her human life, Eve had been an outspoken opponent of the vampires. That’s what had gotten her bit by the queen—her views, and her inability to keep her mouth shut even when it was dangerous.

  Tariq pursed his lips. “I thought you might say that. But right now, we’re talking about you. And you should know, not only did the king express his displeasure with the prince’s unexcused absence, he also disapproves of the prince’s seeming preference for you over the other girls.”

  Heat flooded my cheeks. “And what did the prince say to that?”

  “He said that he does not favor you. He said he chose to take the trip to Settlement Four to help your sister but also because it was good public relations.”

  Because Tariq was clearly watching me for signs of distress, I kept my features indifferent. I shrugged, hoping that Dallas had only said this to divert attention from me. “My sister was saved. That’s the important thing.”

  Tariq continued as if I hadn’t spoken. “When the king asked him why he’d chosen you for his first second date, the prince told him that I had arranged it.”

  I kept my face blank, but I couldn’t stop the blushing. “So?”

  “So that’s a lie, which means he’s protecting you, which means that we all need to proceed with caution.”

  “I don’t understand what you mean.”

  “It means we’re in a bit of a triangle.” Tariq smiled at me, but it was not a nice smile. “It means that I’m charged with protecting you, too—protecting your little secret from the king.”

  “There’s no secret. I’m not hiding anything.”

  He crossed his arms against his chest. “But the prince is.”

  “I don’t see it that way.” I couldn’t wait to tell Dallas about this transgression. He would see Tariq’s head roll.

  Tariq leveled me with a stare. “What I see is that you clearly have the prince’s favor. It would be a pity if the king prevented you from continuing in the contest.”

  “Speak plainly, Tariq.”

  He leaned forward and batted his long eyelashes at me. “Do not breathe a word of this conversation to the prince. If you do, I’ll head straight for the king. And mark me; I have his ear. He’ll listen when I tell him that Dallas only has eyes for you. And he won’t be happy about it. In fact, he might be unhappy enough to have you sent home. And then the prince will propose to one of the other contestants, while you’re stuck in miserable Four for the rest of your life.”