by Leigh Walker
Once the applause died down, Rhys reached for Joely’s hand and held it. “It is now my great honor to announce the winner of the Contestants’ Challenge. Lady Joely Raine from Settlement 12, you have awed me with your vision of the future. The Children’s Center shall be built to your every specification. You are the winner of this challenge, and I am very grateful for all of your thought and hard work. We all are.”
There was more thunderous applause, and I felt someone tap me on the back. I turned around to find Duncan, his pale-denim eyes sizing me up. “Don’t take it so hard, Missus.”
“I’m not. I’m happy for Joely—she did a great job.”
He shrugged as though unimpressed. “The boys and I liked your talk best. Picture books and nap times are good and all, but I’ll take a good lesson on getting into a lady’s pants any day.”
“That wasn’t my lesson, Duncan.”
He winked at me, and I detected the absence of malice. “I’m making a joke is all,” he said. “See you at the ball.”
“What ball?”
“Out of the loop, are we?” Duncan stood and slid out of his row before I could question him further.
I glanced at Dae. “Did you know about a ball?”
“No, I haven’t heard a thing.” She frowned.
“I’ve planned an impromptu celebration tonight in the barn to celebrate Lady Raine’s win.” Rhys grinned out at the crowd, his hand wrapped firmly around Joely’s waist. “Please join us at six for champagne, dancing, and a great meal.”
“Us?” Dae appeared stymied. “As in, him and Joely?”
I watched as the king beamed down at our auburn-haired friend. They chatted easily, the smiles never leaving their faces.
“It sure sounds like it,” I said.
Confidences
“It’s a ball,” Giuliana was saying. “You should be excited for it!”
“Why, so I can watch His Highness eye-snog Joely all night and go on and on about her victory?”
“Miss, please.” My maid hopefully held out an emerald gown. “You could handle just about anything in this dress. It’s divine, don’t you think?”
“I think it’s stupid, just like I think this whole contest is stupid.”
The gnomes watched me from their little beds, their eyes huge in their faces.
“Mommy doesn’t mean to make you upset, but Mommy is getting tired of the circus. He loves me, he loves me not. He loves Dae. No, wait, he loves Joely.”
I flopped back on my bed. “Just pick a dress, Gi. I literally don’t care what I wear.”
“That’s not like you.” She bustled about, pouring more tea and fluffing pillows that were already fluffed. “And I’m sorry you lost the Challenge. Everyone was raving about your presentation. I heard it for myself that even the king was impressed.”
“Yes, well. It seems as though it doesn’t matter.” Maybe it was for the best. If what the mysterious vampire had said was true, perhaps it was a show of independence and strength for Rhys to have chosen Joely as the winner. Maybe the king wasn’t pulling his strings, after all.
“The ball starts soon. You have to get dressed now,” Giuliana pleaded. “Is the emerald gown okay?”
“It’s fine.” But I frowned when she zipped me into it and for the entire time she did my makeup. Eve had been right: I was giving myself wrinkles over this competition. I needed to get it together.
In support of that aim, I bypassed the punch bowl in the barn. The impromptu ball was decorated flawlessly, with birch centerpieces, wild holly, and a fire roaring in the enormous fireplace. It had Mira’s glamorous touch all over it. “Ah, Tamara,” the vampire host said as she saw me, “you’re looking lovely as ever. So glad you could make it.”
“Was this ball your idea or Rhys’s?” I asked, pointing toward the bar. “Because I saw your signature punch, and I was wondering if another social event was part of your overarching agenda to get the contestants buzzed enough to whine about the king and talk about their true feelings on national television.”
Mira motioned at the camera crew hovering nearby. “We need a private moment, please.” Once they’d gone, she turned back to me and sighed. “I know you’re upset about today, but you’ve got nothing to worry about.”
Little did she know that having nothing to worry about, despite Joely’s success, was exactly what I was worried about. “Joely did a great job. She deserved to win.”
“Yes, she did.” She nodded. “Her initiative is exactly the sort of thing they need up here. Not to be sexist, but it’s a bunch of men—they have no idea what they’re getting into, even with all this talk about dating and partners. There’s no infrastructure in the Realm for children. Joely provided a vision and service to the wolves that they didn’t even know they needed but that they’d be lost without.”
“I agree with you.”
Mira eyed me. “Then why do you look sour?”
I had more than one reason. There was the vampire’s warning, followed closely by my natural jealousy. I didn’t dare mention what the stranger had said to me, so I said, “Because His Highness was tripping over himself after the presentation. He couldn’t keep his hands off Joely. He looked positively smitten with her. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: this contest is painful.”
“Yes, but you’re holding your own. You’ve done a better job this round of putting yourself out there. That’s what Joely does well, and that’s what Dae really needs to work on. His Highness is an open book, Tamara. He wears his heart on his sleeve, and he needs that to be reciprocated.”
I scowled at her. “If he’s a book, what bloody chapter are you reading? I have no idea who he prefers. One minute I think it’s me, and the next minute it’s one of the other girls.”
Mira winked at me. “I think you’re in very good shape. Like I said, I’ve wagered on it myself.”
“I don’t know if that makes me feel any better.” Luckily, the production assistant called Mira away, and I didn’t have to explain myself. Unluckily, Joely and Dae arrived at my side. Joely looked more beautiful than ever in a glamorous gold evening gown that showed off her enviable curves. Dae looked smashing in a skintight, low-cut black satin dress that left little to the imagination.
I forced myself to be a good friend. “Good evening, you two. You both look lovely.”
“So do you, Tamara.” Joely hugged me, careful not to muss my gown.
“Thanks.” I smiled at her. “And congratulations on your presentation and your win today—it was excellent. The children’s center was a brilliant idea.”
“Thank you.” Joely’s eyes were huge, her skin flushed. “I’m still gobsmacked that I won. It’s been quite a day.”
“I know,” I said. “You surprised me by what you said, you know, about wanting to have the king’s children. That was a brilliant move.”
“But it wasn’t a move.” Joely shook her head vehemently, causing her diamond-encrusted chandelier earrings to swing back and forth. “I meant it, every word. I’ve decided that it’s time to start telling the truth. You did it the other night at the cocktail hour, Tamara, and you inspired me. I saw how His Highness reacted to it, reacted to you. So I’m telling the truth from now on.” She cleared her throat and stood up tall. “I love the king. I love the king, I want to be the queen, and I want to have his babies. There’s no going back, now.”
“Well,” Dae said. “Woah.”
“Woah is right.” I stared at Joely.
She fanned herself. “Ah, I think that little speech has caused me to need some punch. Anyone want to join me?”
“No thanks.” Dae smiled at her tightly.
“I think I’m still hungover—I’ll pass.” We watched as she bustled away, then we turned to each other. “Seriously?” I asked. “How are we supposed to compete with that?”
“Why do you think I’m wearing this dress tonight?” Dae motioned to her barely-there frock. “I have to work with what God gave me. I don’t have much else to go on.”<
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“You could tell the king that you want to marry him and have his babies too.”
She scanned the room for Rhys, who was busy talking to Prince Austin. “I mean, would it even do any good at this point? Joely seems to have this thing wrapped up.”
“There’s nothing to do but try.” I shrugged.
“What about you?” Dae asked. “Will you be telling him you’re ready for the mommy track?”
“I don’t know.” In a change of heart, I accepted a glass of champagne from a passing server. I spied Blake and Eve across the room, and they waved me over. “I’ll see you in a bit, okay? Go get ‘em, Dae. Just remember: we’ve still got time. It’s not over till it’s over.”
I snaked my way through the crowd. As with the cocktail hour the other evening, the werewolves seemed to be enjoying themselves. The mood at the party was festive. Perhaps the rest of the pack had enjoyed shifting last night as much as Rhys and were excited for the prospect of having a children’s center built. The party was so loud and boisterous, I was glad when I reached the quiet corner where my friends waited. So glad, in fact, that I almost started blubbering.
“I-I’m so glad to see you.” Tears pricked my eyes.
“Tamara, what the hell?” Eve pulled me behind her, and Blake shielded me from the crowd so that no one could see us. “Why’re you crying?”
“I-I’m not. It’s just—it’s about Shaye. And the king—both of the kings.” I blinked back the tears, forcing myself to regain control. “You are the only two people in the whole world I can talk to. I suppose I’m having a rather Pavlovian response to that.”
“What’s wrong with Shaye?” Blake put her gorgeous face close to mine, studying me for I wasn’t sure what—possibly signs of brewing hysteria. It was not like me to cry in public.
I took a deep breath. “She’s okay—but she sent me a message.”
“What sort of message?” Eve’s eyes blazed bright aqua.
“Shaye sent a vampire to the Realm to see me two nights ago,” I whispered. “A tiny little thing. She called me out to the garden at midnight—Shaye sent her because she wasn’t sure she could get a letter to the Realm. So the vampire gave me the message.”
“What message?” Blake asked.
“She said that Shaye had learned the contest was rigged and that the king had ordered Rhys to choose me. She said he doesn’t love me, but that the king wants me as queen because I’m easy to control.” I shook my head. “Just talking about it makes me feel sick.”
“That doesn’t sound like Shaye. That’s not something she would do, send a stranger up here to fill your head with such things.” Blake bit her lip. “But I haven’t heard from her since she left. Have either of you?” She looked from me to Eve.
“The mail’s not being delivered because of the lockdown,” Eve said. “So even if she’s written, it isn’t coming through.”
Blake shook her head, her thick blond hair tumbling over her shoulders. “I don’t like this. It feels wrong to me. And I can’t believe that there was some strange vampire on the grounds and no one detected her.”
“The wolves were in the woods. They’ve been going out to the perimeter these last few nights before the full moon to shift so that their monthly change isn’t too—harsh, I guess? Or isn’t too painful, I don’t know. No one tells me anything.” I felt the prick of tears again.
Blake hugged me hard. “I’m so sorry this happened to you and that you’ve been dealing with things all alone. Why didn’t you come and tell us right away?”
“Because of the bloody contest. I’ve been busy losing to Joely.” I nodded toward my friend across the room. She was drinking punch as she laughed and chatted with Mira.
“Ugh, I heard about that. But I also heard that you did very well.” Blake looked at me with big, worried eyes. “What can I do? How can I help?”
“You can lift the lockdown. Then I’ll leave the Realm and take whatever shreds of dignity I have left back with me to the settlements. I don’t want Rhys to choose me because he’s been forced to.”
“Tamara… What if it’s some sort of trick?” Eve asked.
I gripped my champagne flute. “Who would try to trick me like that? Who would it even benefit? None of it makes any sense unless it was Shaye trying to protect me. I wrote her a letter, but I doubt she’ll ever get it. I keep thinking the vampire will show up again with more news, but she hasn’t.”
Eve patted the hilt of her sword—even at a ball, she was dressed in combat leathers and had her weapon. “I’m going out to look tonight to see if there’s any scents I don’t recognize. I’ll find the wench if she’s near.”
“We don’t know that she’s a wench. She could be trying to save me real heartache,” I said.
Blake took my hand. “I’ll speak with Austin about this, to see if he knows anything about his father and his possible involvement with the outcome of the contest. But I know Rhys. He’s loyal to the crown, but he wouldn’t make a decision this big based on an order.”
“He agreed to the contest based on an order. It doesn’t seem that far-fetched to me that he’d choose a bride that pleases the king.” I shook my head. “Not to mention that King Black said to me, back when they were casting for the contest, that it might suit him to have me as queen.” I shivered. “All around, it leaves a terrible taste in my mouth. Even if what the vampire said isn’t true, what if I’m still bad for the king because the other king thinks I’m easily led?”
“You could drive yourself crazy with conjecture.” Eve jerked her chin toward Rhys, who had welcomed Dae to his little group and had both her and Prince Austin laughing. “All of that aside, you know Rhys has real feelings for you. And you have real feelings for him.”
“What if it’s all a lie?” I whispered. “What if it’s all for show?” The idea that the werewolf could’ve played me so hard made it difficult to catch my breath.
“There, now, have a sip of your drink. You’ve gone pale.” Blake hugged me again. “We’ll get to the bottom of this. Just don’t make a decision that will impact your whole life until you’re sure that what she’s told you is the truth. It’s your future, Tamara. We can’t have it undone by a trick or a mistake.”
“It’s just that the longer I think about it, the more I believe it isn’t a trick or a mistake.” I had another sip of champagne, but it didn’t cheer me. “I can’t think of a reason someone would lie to me like that.”
Blake frowned out at the party. “You don’t think Joely or Dae would do something like that, do you?”
“No.” I shook my head. “They’re not cutthroat at all. Plus, neither one of them knows any vampires. We’ve all been on lockdown, so there’s been no time to get into any trouble. I don’t think either one of them has anything to do with this.”
Eve still had her hand on the hilt of her sword. “They better not have engaged in treachery like that. No one treats my friends that way.”
“I appreciate your loyalty, but the more I talk about it, the more I think the message really was from Shaye.” I sighed.
Blake smiled at us, trying to cheer our little group. “Perhaps we should all have some more champagne?”
“I recommend the punch, actually.” I groaned as I watched the party—I would get an earful from Mira if I stayed sequestered for too long. “I suppose I should be getting back to the circus and the cameras.”
Blake hugged me again. “We’ll be here if you need anything.”
“Yes, like a sword.” Eve’s eyes blazed even brighter.
Blake gave me a look. “I think I’ll get her a glass of that punch.”
I nodded. “Just be careful—any more than one, and you might have to carry her back to the castle.” I unwillingly left my friends and headed back to the center of the party. There was a small mirror near the fire, and I stopped to check my makeup and make sure I hadn’t spoiled my mascara.
“Still sniffling about your loss today?” a familiar voice asked.
I whirled a
nd found Duncan lounging nearby, inspecting me. “Ah, Duncan. I’d hoped to make peace with you because of my presentation, but alas, you haunt me still.”
“I’m not haunting you, Missus. I’m actually concerned for you.”
“Well, that’s a fine development.” I drained my champagne flute, throwing my good intentions straight out the window. “Why are you concerned about me?”
He stepped closer, nodding in the direction of Blake and Eve. “I saw you crying to your friends. What’s the matter? Are you sore about today? You don’t strike me as the sort of lady who quits the race just because you lost some ground.”
“I’m not that sort of lady, but I am feeling as though the odds are stacked against me. Joely deserved to win today, I don’t mean that. It’s…other things.”
“What sort of other things?” he asked.
“I’ve heard some rumors is all.” I didn’t trust Duncan, but he might be useful as a source of information.
He looked interested. “What did you hear? Is it about the king?”
“Maybe.” I took his measure. “What have you heard about the king?”
“Nothing that I like.” He kept his voice low. “And I haven’t heard anything directly. But I shouldn’t be talking to you about this, I expect. You’re an ambassador and all.”
“That’s true, but at the moment let’s just say that I’m interested in being independent—I’m thinking for myself here, not as a member of the court.” I held out my hand. “Let’s make a pact. I won’t repeat anything you say if you don’t repeat anything that I say. Do you swear it?”
Duncan’s grip was firm. “Aye.”
I grabbed two flutes of champagne from a passing waiter and handed the werewolf one of them. “Now tell me what’s troubling you,” I directed.
“It’s just that I don’t like that he’s up here again, you see. He’s sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong, and it doesn’t sit well with me.”
