“And you’re not getting married?” Cole asks.
That one is harder to answer, but I try. “I have not agreed to a marriage, no.” Elliot’s hand tightens against my side, sending a shiver through me. “Does anyone else have any ridiculous questions?”
“Are any of theHot Scoopstories true?” Carissa asks.
I look at Elliot. Elliot looks at me. Annoying asHollywood Hot Scoopcan be, the tabloid has not caused me as much trouble as the opinion piece in yesterday’s paper did. Not only is my mother convinced I am making a mistake when it comes to my bodyguard, but the opinion piece put into words something both Elliot and I have successfully avoided addressing before today.
But the lastHot Scooparticle I saw also mentioned trouble brewing with Derek, and that is something Icanaddress without hurting Elliot. I wish Derek were here, but he has been filming the last few days and struggles to get on a group call on the best of days. I could really use his advice lately.
Standing straighter, I smile at my friends. “When it comes to my relationship with all of you—Derek, Bonnie, and Kasey included—I have no intention of severing our friendship. That gruesome tabloid can say what they want about us, but they will never get between us.”
“It seems like that’s their goal,” Elliot mutters. He spoke so quietly that he may have been talking to himself, but as he is standing right next to me…
I look at him, raising my eyebrows. “Do you think?”
“We should get you back to the hotel,” he replies, lowering his own eyebrows to contrast. “Hot Scoopis unimportant, and you’ll want to be rested for the debate tomorrow.”
“Oo, good luck with the debate!” Carissa says. “You’re going to be awesome!”
I smile at her, wishing I had her confidence. “Thank you.”
“And you’re right,” Cole adds, calmer than he was before. “No matter what, we’re all sticking together.” His eyebrows dip low, and his eyes flick from one part of the screen to the other, as if he might be looking from me to Elliot. “You know we have your back—princess, queen, or no royalty at all. Right?”
His words, echoed by the others, are a balm to my anxious heart, and I blink away tears that prick my eyes. “Of course. Thank you.”
“I’ve got my eye on you, Reid,” he adds.
Rolling my eyes, I say my goodbyes and take a moment to breathe. The election is not for another five days, but tomorrow is going to be more decisive than I want it to be. The televised debate will reach the entire country, and this is one of my last chances to prove to my people that I can lead them into a bright future.
No pressure at all.
I have prepared as much as I could—thanks to long conversations with my brothers while traveling between towns over the last few days—and I simply have to show up and do my best. Until then, I need to ensure my thoughts do not get trapped on Markham’s proposal or Elliot’s disappearance today or the idea that I am less certain about the life I want than I ever have been.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Elliot
There’sachanceI’vespent too much time around American politics because the debate has been less name-calling and arguing than I expected and more polite conversation and complimenting. In the hour they have been talking on the large stage that was set up in Skalridge’s event center, Freya and Grimstad have praised each other’s responses more times than I can count, building off the other’s answers as they bring their own thoughts to the issues presented by the moderator.
It’s been nice, seeing two influential political figures treat each other with such a high level of respect when they would have every right to be defensive and fight for their side.
It has also been one of the worst hours of my life, for no reason other than watching Freya mesh so well with MarkhamGrimstad is making it abundantly clear why he thought it would be a good idea to propose and why Freya didn’t immediately shut him down.
These two would make an incredible pair and be even more incredible rulers.
“She’s killing it,” Sander says, his voice low because the audience has been so quiet and attentive that I’m pretty sure someone would hear him if he spoke any louder. “This is where she really shines. When she gets a chance to talk about what she knows and what she has planned, she’s brilliant.”
“She’s brilliant all the time,” I mutter.
The problem is that Grimstad is equally brilliant, and the more he talks, the more Freya warms up to him. I’ve got an uncomfortable pressure building behind my sternum, and if there weren’t a few hundred people staring down the princess and posing (admittedly unlikely) threats, I would be anywhere but here.
Feeling something for my charge is bad enough, but being jealous of the guy who might actually be perfect for her? I’ve hit a new low.
“You alright, mate?” Sander asks, leaning closer.
I have no idea what my expression is doing, but it doesn’t surprise me that he’s asking. Nothing about this is alright, and there’s only so much I can do to keep my feelings to myself.
We didn’t talk after leaving the duke’s estate, but I heard enough of Freya’s conversation with her friends to get an idea about where her thoughts were. She’s thinking aboutkidswith Grimstad, which means she’s considering his proposal more than I thought. I knew she couldn’t shut him down without deliberation, but I thought…
