Chapter 94

After the confrontation with Mark, I expected to be approached by Nicholas, so I wasn’t shocked when he called me away from the dining room at lunchtime to speak with me privately.

He started walking away from the dining room and I fell in step beside him. Eventually, in an empty hallway, he turned to face me. A frown was firm on his face.

“Mark told me that you and Julian started investigating the underground organization again, despite my explicit instruction not to.”

“That’s correct,” I said. Maybe I should have denied it. I knew Nicholas only had my best interest at heart, but that didn’t mean I could roll over to his every whim. He didn’t know all the facts. Maybe it was time I told him the full truth, I wasn’t sure.

My answer made Nicholas’s face even more severe. This, I imagined, was the face he used to look down those that opposed him politically. It would be intimidating, if I had even an inkling of fear against him.

“You have to stop, Piper. You must give this up and let it go. You are endangering yourself. I cannot allow that.”

I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter if I’m in danger. It’s worth it, if it helps bring them down.”

Nicholas’s shoulders tensed. “If you would listen –”

“You can’t convince me otherwise, Nicholas, I’m sorry.”

“But what about Elva?” he said, voice sharp. “What you are doing endangers her as well.”

“Elva is already in trouble. Can’t you see that?”

He opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. “What do you mean?” The hardness in his face crumpled some into confusion.

I wrapped my arms around my own waist, offering myself as much comfort as I could.

Maybe I should have told Nicholas the truth from the start. Maybe if he truly understood the depths of my fear, he would see my side of things. I doubted it – he’d always been a stickler for the rules – but there was always a chance the threat to Elva could change his mind.

“Elva’s werewolf abilities are already powerful and growing stronger all the time,” I said. “How long will it be before the underground organization comes after her and her wolf, like he did for me and mine?”

“That won’t happen. I won’t allow it.” Nicholas inched closer to me so that he was only a mere few inches away. “I can protect you and Elva both.”

“For how long, Nicholas? While we’re under your roof? But what happens to us when we have to go back out on our own?”

“I’ll find a way. I’ll –”

“You will have your own life. Can’t you see that exposing the organization is the only way to keep Elva safe for the rest of her life?”

“I refuse to accept that,” Nicholas said. He had returned to authoritative prince-mode. Making plans and statements. I knew he meant what he said, but in reality, he had no way of seeing it through.

I didn’t want to hurt him, but I had to crack his fantasy to help him see he couldn’t protect us from the whole world, no matter how well-meaning he was.

“You couldn’t help me,” I said. “Three years ago, when the organization targeted my sister and me.”

Nicholas swallowed hard. “You didn’t tell me what was happening then.”

“What would you have done if you knew? You would have run straight into the lion’s den, all righteous, and got yourself hurt.”

“I would have been smarter than that, and you know that.” His voice lowered, showing a hint of his anger. “You didn’t trust me, just like you aren’t trusting me now.”

“I am trusting you by telling you exactly why I need to continue investigating. It’s all for Elva.”

“Piper –”

“No, Nicholas. There’s nothing you could say that would make me change my mind about this.”

“Is that right?” He crossed his arms.

“Yes.”

Nicholas stood straighter. “Fine. Then I order you, as your prince, not to pursue this.”

Just then, I noticed some guards patrolling the hallway they were in. They glanced at me and at Nicholas.

“That is a command as your prince,” Nicholas said again, when they were closer in earshot.

He had me backed into a corner now. I couldn’t disobey a direct royal order, especially in front of the guards. As much as I wanted to.

“This is the part where you comply, Piper,” he said.

I narrowed my eyes at him, hoping he could feel the waves of annoyance I was sending his direction.

“Fine,” I said, lying, and I hoped he knew it. Typically I would feel bad for lying to his face, but this time, I felt no such thing. He was being a jerk, using his status to boss me around. He didn’t deserve my truth.

“Piper…” He said again, softening now that I’d given him everything he wanted.

But I was done listening to him.

“I need to get back to lunch.” I didn’t wait to be dismissed. I simply turned on my heel and sped away down the hallway.

Later, the remaining candidates were called into the parlor for announcements from Nathan.

He stood on top of the stage, waiting for us to arrive. When we were all present, he cleared his throat and then spoke into the microphone.

“Attention, please. You have been waiting patiently for updates regarding the next elimination ceremony and I finally have something to share.”

The girls murmured nervously to each other. Nathan waited for us to quiet again before he continued.

“The next elimination ceremony will be held in two days.”

Gasps sounded in the room. I gasped too. Two days? That was hardly any time at all.

I still needed to talk to Julian. Without his help, I had no idea how I was going to survive this round, especially now, with Nicholas and I not on the best of terms.

Beside me, Susie had gone quiet too. Many of the girls had. Two days wasn’t long enough to change anyone’s mind, not if they’d already made it. Some of the girls that hadn’t made impressions on any of the princes now faced the real possibility of being sent home.

Lilliana smiled dully. She knew she was safe.

Olivia also seemed unbothered. She had enough confidence to carry her through.

The rest of us weren’t so sure.

After returning to my room, I stopped at the door to speak with Mark.

“I really need to speak with Prince Julian. Do you think you could find him for me?”

Mark shook his head. “I’m sorry, Piper, but Prince Nicholas directed me not to assist you in your investigatory attempts.”

Of course he did. The problem with knowing Nicholas so well was that he also knew me. He likely knew that I had lied to his face the moment I had done so.

“This isn’t about that,” I said. “Nathan just told us the elimination is in two days, and I have not secured my place as one of Julian’s selections yet. If I don’t talk to him, I might get sent home.”

Mark’s brow furrowed. “Oh.”

“If you see him, please just tell him I’m looking for him,” I said. “I don’t want to get you in trouble, but as you can tell, this is very important.”

Reluctantly, Mark nodded. “I’ll see what I can do.” He turned to speak with the guards, so I entered the bedroom.

I didn’t hear from Mark until several hours later, as Elva and I were getting ready to go down for dinner.

He pulled me aside and said, “Prince Julian isn’t here.”

My stomach dropped. “What? Where did he go?”

“I’m not sure, but no one has seen him since this morning,” Mark said, frowning. “Wherever he went, he didn’t tell anyone.”

How could he disappear? Now of all times?

“When will he be back?” I asked.

Mark shrugged. “I’m sorry, Piper, but I really don’t know.”