Chapter 180

The next morning, I awoke early and shuffled down with the rest of the candidates and their personal guards into the foyer for announcements. Nathan was already on the stage, rummaging through his phone.

I spotted Susie and stood in the open spot between her and Tiffany. Veronica was there too, but stood a few feet behind. Heavy bags hung under her eyes. Had she been up late researching again?

Two days before, she had pulled me aside to discuss what little progress she’d made in finding ways to return my wolf. She promised she wouldn’t give up, however, and seemed to work even harder since then.

I wanted her to find an answer, though I didn’t want her to hurt herself. Maybe I would talk to her again soon, and tell her to take care of herself first.

“If I can have your attention, please,” Nathan said loudly. When everyone had quieted to look at him, he continued, “Thank you all for your patience these past several days as we’ve worked to repair the damage Terry had done to the reputation of the royal family and the competition itself.”

Around the group, several of the girls nodded, Olivia included, most critically.

“Unfortunately we have no new event planned yet for the competition,” Nathan continued.

A disappointed exhale sounded around the room.

“However…”

The group inhaled again.

“The royal family and the producers have decided that we would like complete interviews with the candidates. This will give the public more time to get to know your individual personalities, as well as provide an opportunity for you to express how much you’ve enjoyed your time here with us.”

Ah, so that was it. The royal family was continuing to hope we’d be able to improve their diminished reputation. It made sense, and I was glad to have the help. My fake relationship with Julian could only go so far.

Honestly, though, deep inside, I was dreading what questions I might be asked.

And as I was sitting in the small room arranged for the individual interviews, I realized I had right to worry.

Two producers, Nathan, and the cameraman were behind the camera. I alone was in front of it, sitting on a single tall-back chair, with the lens right up in my face.

“Love is in the air for you most of all, Piper!” the producer said, overly excited. “We’ve all seen the special kiss you traded with Julian. The public is dying to know, what is it like to have met your soulmate?”

“Uh…” My soulmate? That was much too far, but I couldn’t say so. Not without potentially embarrassing Julian, the people who felt that way, and the entire royal family. I cleared my throat. “Julian and I are… very close.”

“Was it love at first sight?” the other producer asked.

“No,” I said. The producer’s bright smile fell. “N-no, uh, our affection began there, sure, but it took longer for our, uh, deeper feelings to grow.”

The producer bounced back. “Ah, because he’s such a bad boy. You must have been nervous, being so attracted to him.”

“Yes, that’s right.” That narrative felt safe enough for now.

“Tell us, Piper,” said the first producer, “How do you feel when he walks into the room?”

I knew they wanted something romantic to sell the viewers at home. I wanted to comply, to help improve relations, but the truth was, when Julian walked into the room, I didn’t feel much of anything. He was my friend, and I was pleased to see him. But that wouldn’t move anyone at home.

So instead, I thought of Nicholas.

It was like night and day, a world of difference. If Nicholas walked into this room right now, he would have stolen my breath away.

“My heart races,” I said. “Whatever other light was in the room seems to dim, and he becomes the brightest thing in the room. I can’t help myself from staring, though I tell myself I shouldn’t. I don’t want to give too much away.”

The producer giggled. “What about when he takes your hand?”

“No,” cut in the second producer. “Tell us what it feels like when he kisses you?”

I worried my bottom lip between my teeth. Somethings were private, but I could share some others. For the good of the Kingdom. For Nicholas’s sake.

“I feel like I’m flying,” I said. “Like the rest of the world has slowed down, and the only two people who exist in the whole universe are me and Nicholas.”

“Cut!” Nathan said, pushing forward.

I blinked, startled. Hadn’t I been doing well? The producers had seemed to eat it all up. Although they both seemed surprised now, and not from Nathan’s interruption.

What had I done? What had I said?

I thought back. Then I remembered.

I said Nicholas.

“Uh…” I swallowed hard. “I meant Julian.”

“Delete that footage,” Nathan demanded at once. “We’ll start again.”

“Of course,” the cameraman worked quickly.

Nathan glared at me. “Do you think you can remember which prince you are dating, Piper?” His words were unkind, his tone even less so.

I understood the upset. If that had been lied, it would have made a terrible scandal.

“Yes,” I said and lowered my head.

They made me do two more takes. On the first retry, I looked guiltier than in love. The third and final, they deemed, “Good enough.”

By the time my interview was complete, I was exhausted and ready to sleep for a hundred years. As I shuffled my way back to my room, one of Nicholas’s guards in my shadow, I was stopped by another guard.

I didn’t recognize this one, but he seemed friendly enough, greeting me, “Good afternoon, Miss.”

He held out a folded piece of paper. “For you.”

I accepted it. “Thank you.”

As the guard walked away, I flipped it open. Inside was a note, seemingly typed with a typewriter. It had been a while, but Nick and I, back at the Academy sometimes left notes for each other like this.

He hadn’t done this yet since my arrival. Maybe he was trying to win me over.

I was ready to be won.

The note read, “Meet me at the ballroom balcony at midnight. Come alone.”

A secret rendezvous was incredibly romantic. It wasn’t like Nicholas, really, but God, I was so desperate to see him and right all the mistakes I’d made these past several days.

I was quickly learning, no matter how much distance I tried to place between us, my heart would never frost over to him. He could thaw me with a look, even across the room, and all the effort I’d made into steeling my heart against him was instantly for not.

I was coming to realize now that being close to him was what I truly wanted. Instead of trying to push him away, maybe what I needed was to keep him as close as I could, until I simply couldn’t anymore.

Nothing would stop the encroaching hurt.

All I could do was love while I still had a chance.

I rushed to my room, Nicholas’s kisses on my mind.

Waiting until midnight was a challenge. I couldn’t seem to stop my bouncing knee. During dinner, I would rise, walk around the table, and sit again.

I couldn’t sit still. I was simply too excited.

At ten to midnight, I sneaked out of my room. It was difficult to convince the guard to let me go alone, but I somehow managed. Maybe they were used to me sneaking out by now, knowing I was going to see Nicholas.

I wandered the hallways in the dark, then pushed out onto the balcony.

A man was leaning on the banister, looking out over the forest. I went to his side, a smile bright on my face.

The smile dropped when he turned toward me.

This was not Nicholas.

It was Joyce.