Chapter 132

As Terry pulled me out onto the dance floor, I at least felt the relief of knowing Elva wouldn’t overhear whatever terrible things Terry was sure to say to me. About me, or about my sister. This worked for me, because I wanted answers.

Terry placed his hand on my waist. His other gripped my hand firmly.

I pushed my free hand to his shoulder, using my arm like a wedge to maintain distance between us. Anytime Terry would try to tug me closer, I would push him back. It was a never-ending, exhausting little game.

“What have you done to my sister?” I demanded.

He laughed. “What makes you think I’ve done anything to her?”

“She would never be with you.”

“Oh, darling Piper. So naïve. I assure you that Jane is my willing mistress. Never once have I forced her to do anything against her will.”

Remembering the drug in my champagne, I severely doubted the truth to his words. Although, Jane had been so hateful to me, maybe she didn’t care who else Terry hurt. Maybe she even liked that about him.

My stomach twisted in disgust.

“Never fear, darling. Soon you will see for yourself,” Terry said. He was a good dancer, leading me in a perfect waltz around the room. I hated that about him. I didn’t want him to be good at anything. “I’ll win you over, and you can join us.”

“Never,” I snapped.

He shrugged like my vehement rejection mattered little to him.

“It will happen. Then I’ll finally have the completed set.” He smiled to himself, a vile and twisted thing. “I’ve always wondered what it would be like, laying with twins.”

Bile rose in my mouth. “I will never be yours. I’ll die first.”

“Piper, not only will you be mine, but you will be begging me to take you in.”

“No.”

“We all know you are not meant to be Luna. Sooner or later, by the King’s direct command or otherwise, you will be forced out of this competition. Then, when you have nowhere to go, you’ll get desperate. And in that desperation, any friendly, helpful hand will be a blessing. Even mine.”

“I would never turn to you for help.”

“You say that now, but what happens the next time Elva is sick? Without the palace’s protection. Without the benefits of a live-in doctor. How will little Elva survive?”

He says Elva’s name like a mockery. I hate the way his voice curls around it, cutting into it with its venomous baritone.

What I hated worse was the fear he might be right. I would do anything to save my daughter. I didn’t know where the line was. I likely wouldn’t, until I was in the position. Until Elva was so sick she might die, and I would have to make a choice: her life or my body.

I shuddered thinking of what my surrender would mean. It wouldn’t be enough for him to sleep with me. He wanted to own me. Possess me.

He wanted the set. Twins.

He whisked me around the room once more, then led me to Nicholas.

I was stunned into silence. I couldn’t say more, not even to defend myself. He could tell. He smirked the entire time. He kissed my hand and then deposited me at Nicholas’s side.

Nicholas immediately placed his hand under my elbow.

I felt light-headed, like I might fall.

“What did he say?” Nicholas asked me.

Nicholas’s other hand was holding Elva’s. She looked up at us both with curious eyes. I didn’t dare repeat the terrible things he had said, not with Elva listening.

I glanced at her, then up to Nicholas and hoped he could see the reason for my hesitation.

He seemed to. “I can have him removed.”

“You can’t,” I said. “He’s one of the benefactors.”

“To hell with it. With all of it. If it keeps you safe, I’ll drag him from the grounds myself.”

“And then what? The Luna brings him back. Or the King? And you are on the outs with them. There’s nothing you can do, Nicholas,” I said.

“But, Piper.”

I shook my head. “Nothing…”

He stepped closer to me. He couldn’t hold me here, with so many eyes on us, but with the way his hand slid around my arm, I could tell he wanted to.

“You’re trembling,” he whispered.

I closed my eyes and tried to gather myself. He was right. I’d been shaken to my core and my whole body felt like it was trying to clatter apart.

“Let me take you back to your room,” Nicholas said.

“I can’t give up.”

“Just for tonight,” he said.

God, it was tempting. To just throw in the towel for now. Regather myself. And try again tomorrow. And if Nicholas was offering to go with me? If I could feel the comfort of his embrace away from prying eyes?

I opened my mouth to agree, only to close it immediately as Lilliana and Olivia came into earshot. Their greedy gazes pivoted directly to Nicholas. Olivia slid her way directly between Nicolas and me. I had to step back to accommodate her, or she likely would have pushed me over.

Lilliana at least, stepped around Elva without endangering her. Although that could have been because of how tightly Nicholas was holding her hand.

“We were looking for you Prince Nicholas,” Olivia said. “There is a charming benefactor who I’m sure you wouldn’t mind speaking with on my behalf.”

“Or mine,” Lilliana said, inching closer. Elva stepped into her path every time she tried to move closer to Nicholas. When Nicholas turned his attention to Olivia, Lilliana openly glared at Elva. When Nicholas glanced back, she changed her expression to her usual delicate grace.

What a phony.

“Come on, Elva,” I said and opened my arms.

“But…” She looked up at Lilliana again.

Poor kid. There was nothing we could do. Nicholas had to spend time with other people. That was the nature of the competition.

“Come now, honey,” I said.

Elva pouted but she obliged. Nicholas released her hand and she walked into my waiting arms. I lifted her up against me, and she rested her head against my shoulder.

“Are you coming, Prince Nicholas?” Olivia said, all smiling confidence. She was beautiful in a low-cut purple velvet gown. “We really shouldn’t keep my benefactor waiting.”

“Or mine,” Lilliana said, chiming in.

“Yes. We’ll go soon, but first I must –”

“Piper’s fine. Aren’t you, Piper?” Olivia asked.

“I’m sure Julian is around here somewhere,” Lilliana said with false sweetness. “I’m sure he’d love to spend time with you.”

Julian, as I could see, was on the other side of the room, spending his hour with Tiffany, as the three of us had previously agreed on. I wasn’t about to steal him away now.

Especially when the one I wanted was Nicholas himself.

But I couldn’t have him either.

“I’m sorry, Piper,” Nicholas said.

Olivia laced her arm through one of his. Lilliana hooked her arm around his on the other side.

“It’s fine,” I said. “I understand.”

And I did understand. Though that didn’t make it easier to watch him walk away. A pang of loneliness struck through my chest.

Elva yawned. She was falling asleep on my shoulder. I didn’t want to jostle her too much, so I just stood there, unsure where to go. What to do.

On the other side of the dance floor, Terry caught my eye. Holding my gaze, he lifted his drink as if saluting me.