“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 properly 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.”
I resisted the urge to smack him. “Four is hardly miserable.”
He arched an eyebrow. “So you say.”
I sighed, tired of him, tired of his rabid, ceaseless posturing. “Let me see if I’ve got this straight: I don’t say a word to the prince, and you don’t say a word to the king.”
“That’s right.”
“But what’s the point of all this?” I cried. “We’re locked in a study, and you’re fluttering your eyelashes and maneuvering. I don’t understand what you’re trying to accomplish.”
“I wanted to be clear. I am happy to support you in the contest and keep your secrets, but you must also support me.”
“I told you before—if you helped me, I would help you.” I’d asked a favor of Tariq and had him organize a special lunch for Dallas and me. I’d told him in return, I would voice my support for him with the prince. “But I’m going to be quite a bit less happy about it after the way you’ve spoken to me tonight.”
“I’m doing it for a reason.” Tariq’s voice was tight. “You don’t understand. There’s a lot at stake in the competition.”
I straightened my spine. “I understand perfectly. You think this competition is going to make or break your career with the royal family. And you will use any leverage you can find to shore up your position.”
“Then I suppose you’re not as dull-witted as I thought.” He shrugged. “The point is, I have leverage over you. And I can make or break you.”
I’d asked him to speak plainly, and now I regretted it.
“At some juncture, you might be in a unique position to help me. So if I ask you for a favor, I need your word that you’ll do it.”
I lifted my chin. “I won’t do something that I think is wrong.”
He smiled, and this time, it reached his eyes. “Then we will have to see what you’re made of, my lady.”
I was still shaking by the time I made it to the common room, unable to get Tariq’s words out of my head. I’ll head straight for the king.
The king, who did not approve of me. The king, to whom Dallas had lied in order to protect me.
Mark me; I have his ear.
I cursed Tariq, his stupid eyelashes, and his scheming. He would attempt to use me for something. I prayed it was nothing too horrible.
Dinner was just finishing up. I spied my favorite kitchen maid, Andrea, and she promised to bring me a full plate of food. Tonight’s offering was creamy macaroni and cheese, asparagus with lemon, and biscuits. Perhaps there is a God.
I felt eyes on me, and I turned to find Tamara staring as if she’d just smelled something rotten. Perhaps not. I sighed, making my way toward our table. Shaye gave me a tight smile while Tamara gnawed on a raw carrot, giving me the once over.
“How’s your sister?” Shaye asked.
“She’s much better, thank you.”
“That’s good.” Shaye was friendly as usual, but an awkward silence settled over our table as I sat down.
My gaze flicked to Tamara, who was still chewing. “And how are you, Tamara? Sore from your daily squat count?”
“I’m not sore.” She arched an eyebrow. “But are you?”
“I’m sorry?”
She looked me up and down. “Since you’re not that pretty, and you’re really quite dull, I’ve been wondering what the prince sees in you, why he’s running in circles, chasing his tail to take you back to your shit-hole of a settlement. And now I think I have an idea.”
“Tamara. For the love of all things holy, stop it.” Shaye closed her eyes and shook her head, as if she knew exactly what was coming.
“I don’t think so.” Tamara whipped her ponytail back around and resumed glaring at me.
I glared right back. “What, exactly, are you insinuating?”
“I think you’ve been giving it to the prince.”
“Giving what?” I didn’t understand at first, but then it dawned on me. “Ah, I see.”
Shaye’s face turned crimson. She stared at her plate.
“Is that what you both think?”
Shaye shook her head miserably, but she didn’t say a word.
“That’s absolutely what I think, and most of the other girls do, too. I bet you’ve been letting him have his way, and that’s why you’ve been getting special treatment.”
Andrea set a plate in front of me, caught one whiff of the conversation, and scurried away.
“So.” I dug into my mac and cheese. “You think I’ve been riding The Royal Stallion.”
Tamara tossed down her carrot. “I can’t think of another explanation that makes sense.”
“The prince has been a bit handsy, lately.” I took another bite, enjoying the fact that Tamara’s eyeballs were almost popping out of her head. “But when things got too intense, he told me that my virtue was of the utmost importance to him.”
I buttered my biscuit and had a bite, slowly chewing, savoring it. “It’s a pity,” I said when I’d finished. “Because he is a rather good kisser, and I quite enjoyed having his hands on me. So I hope he eventually changes his mind.”
I grabbed another biscuit and stood. “Well, I’d say it’s been a pleasure, but…”
Tamara rolled her eyes, not looking sorry in the least.
My gaze shifted to Shaye. “I expected more from you, at least.”
Her pretty face puckered. “Gwyn.”
But I was already out the door, heading for my chambers as fast as I could. They could say what they wanted about me.
But I wouldn’t let them hurt me.
And I sure as hell wouldn’t let them see me cry.