Chapter 47

Sabotage.

That was what someone had done to my bow. They had purposefully cut a tiny fracture into the wood so when I attempted to fire, the entire thing would snap.

And it had, right at the crucial moment. Because of this, I had nearly been gored.

Nicholas gently touched my calf, directing my leg how he needed it. With a slow but deliberate touch, he slid my boot off and inspected my swollen ankle.

The moment felt too intimate, so I spoke to break the tension.

“The last time I saw you both, you were in a swarm of eligible ladies.”

“We lost them in a hurry,” Julian said with a snort. He continued to inspect my bow, particularly where the slice had been made. “The cameras, too.”

“No one knows these woods as well as us,” Nicholas agreed.

Julian laughed. “Poor Joyce, though. He’s never really been the outdoor type. He didn’t have a chance at escape.”

“He wouldn’t know what to do with the boar if he found it. It’s better if stays to the side.” Nicholas wrapped the bandage around my ankle, giving me some relief from the pain.

“That’s true.” Julian lowered the bow and looked at me, then to Nicholas. “We should tell her what we know.”

“Julian.” Nicholas’s firm tone sounded like a warning.

“She deserves to know, especially now. If they are willing to go far enough to put her life in danger, she needs to be able to take precautions.”

“You know something about this?” I asked Nicholas. When he couldn’t meet my eye, I turned my gaze to Julian instead.

“Nicholas didn’t want to worry you,” Julian said.

“We weren’t certain yet. We still aren’t, fully.” Nicholas secured the bandage, then sat back on his heels. “I didn’t want to needlessly upset you, but… Julian’s right, in this case. If they are willing to do you harm, you should know what we suspect.”

“Did he just say I was right? Say it again, brother. Wait, I need to get my phone out and record.”

Nicholas ignored him. Instead, he finally lifted his gaze to mine and held it.

“We have reason to believe Lena and Joseph are conspiring against you. It is for this reason that I had assigned my own guard to protect you. Mark is there specifically to protect Elva at all times.”

Nicholas sighed. “They have both served this family for many years, but I cannot deny their shift since the competition began.”

“They’re well liked and trusted by the King and Queen,” Julian chimed in. “It will take a lot to convince them Lena and Joseph had a part in anything this horrific. Even to bring them under suspicion would need some concrete evidence.”

Their words did not surprise me, especially after the threat made the night before.

“I have my own reasons to suspect Lena.” Then I told them what she had said, I hope you don’t have any accidents tomorrow. It could have been a coincidence, but at this point, I highly doubted it.

Nicholas’s face grew even sterner. Julian’s good humor slipped away.

“Lena and Joseph are traditionalists,” Nicholas said. “They believe very firmly that things should stay as they always have. They were against the competition from the start, but they at least tolerate the other girls. You, though…”

“You are a wild card, Piper.” Julian came closer. “You aren’t noble. You don’t even have a wolf. They have no idea what to make of you.”

“They can believe whatever they want,” Nicholas said. “None of that is reason enough to place you or Elva in danger.” He straightened his shoulders. “I will speak to the King about this myself.”

Julian’s attention shot to him. “Have you lost it? He’ll never believe you.”

“I’m the oldest.”

“That never made a difference before.”

“I’m not going to let these two run around making attempts on Piper’s life without consequence.”

My heart beat a bit faster, hearing his protectiveness. I knew he’d likely say the same if any other girl had been threatened. But that didn’t change the fact that in this instance, it was me he wanted to defend.

“I don’t care what the King thinks of me,” Nicholas said. “I will see justice done.”

“That’s incredibly noble of you, brother.” Julian rolled his eyes. “But I have a different scheme. It would provide the same result, with less mess.”

Nicholas shook his head like he didn’t even want to hear him out. But I disagreed. We should hear every option before acting, especially if Nicholas’s plan would hurt him in the long run.

“Please explain, Julian,” I said.

Nicholas shot me a look, which I pointedly did not acknowledge.

“If we call out the bullies directly, we could back them into a corner and make things worse. It would be so much simpler if we lifted up Piper instead. We could make her untouchable.”

Nicholas thought a moment, then asked, “How?”

I had the same question.

Julian nodded toward the boar carcass that the wolves were protecting.

Understanding crossed Nicholas’s face. I still wasn’t sure.

“Very well,” Nicholas said. “We can try it. But if it fails, we will do it my way instead.”

“Fair enough.” Julian shrugged. “But give me a couple days, anyway. I think I can work with this for a while, really lay it on thick.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

Julian winked at me. “You’ll see.”

“Trust us,” Nicholas said. Then, after a quick scowling glance at his brother, amended, “Trust me.”

Julian laughed.

Nicholas wasn’t wrong. I wasn’t sure I could trust Julian. But Nicholas? Even with the misunderstanding of betrayal looming between us, I knew I could still trust him with my life. Elva’s too.

That counted for something. A heck of a lot, actually.

“I trust you,” I told him.

His face didn’t change, but he seemed satisfied with the way he tapped my shin.

“We have to get her back to the palace.” Julian waggled his eyebrows. “Maybe I could carry you, Piper.”

“Absolutely not,” Nicholas said at once.

I glanced between them. “I could try to walk…?”

Nicholas shook his head. He turned so that his back was to me. “I will carry you.”

With his guidance, I draped my arms over his shoulders, and he hoisted me up onto his back. He held my legs, giving me support.

My cheeks burned a bit, especially after Julian gave me a knowing look. I couldn’t deny the position was nice though, pressing into the long expanse of Nicholas’s back. His strong hands pressing hard under my thighs.

I desperately tried not to think too much about it. Nicholas was only doing this for my sake, to get me safely and swiftly back to the palace. Romance had nothing to do with it.

That didn’t fully explain why he hadn’t wanted Julian to carry me instead, however.

No, none of it mattered. I had to let those thoughts go. Nicholas no longer cared for me like he used to. I’d only hurt us both believing for a second that we could be amicable again.

When we made it back to the palace grounds, it was clear the news had spread about the end of the hunt. I realized later that the wolves had announced it, through their howling.

Being the only one in the room who couldn’t speak to a wolf was… upsetting. At the very least, I wished I could have properly passed my gratitude onto Silver, who had saved my life. Even now, she trotted along protectively behind Nicholas and me.

Nicholas led me through the sea of girls, who whispered cruelly as we passed, likely jealous of the way I was being carried.

Julian, still holding my broken bow, gave a sharp smirk to whoever whispered too loudly, making his displeasure known. With his help, the mumbling quickly died down.

When we came before the King, he looked between the three of us with obvious annoyance in his eyes, though a wide, kindly smile on his lips.

“Which one of you downed the boar?” he asked.

I held my breath. I hadn’t been sure which of the two had fired the finishing blow. I’d only seen the two arrows hit their mark.

Nicholas and Julian spoke at once.

“Piper.”