Rafe’s face appeared behind mine in the glass. “You don’t need your weapon,” he said, a smile finally gracing his face. “I’ll be there.”
I narrowed my eyes. “How did you know?” I waved him off before he could answer. “Never mind. You always know everything. Observant bastard.”
Universal truth about Rafe, nothing got past him.
My palm reader buzzed again, and I sighed because there was no avoiding it any longer.
Time to suck it up and do my duty.
One last time.
Chapter 35
If anyone asked me, I'd deny it. But deep down, as a little girl huddled alone in the cold, feeling the clawing pain of hunger in my belly, I'd pictured what my life would be like as a princess. It seemed like such a silly, little-girl fantasy, but in a world of monarchies, I was sure I wasn't the only one.
Nonetheless, for all those dreams and fantasies I'd had, nothing—and I meannothing—could have prepared me for an actual royal ball.
I'd entered the room as stiff as a board, my fingertips barely touching Alex's arm in the vaguest display of being a "couple," like he’d demanded. But the second I stepped inside, my breath caught.
The huge space had been transformed into nothing short of magic. Blossoming trees lined the walls, and thousands of fairy lights and candles created a soft, twinkling glow that reflected off the myriad of jewels, crowns, and glittering dresses worn by the guests.
“Quite the insult that the king and queen of New America won’t be here tonight,” Alex said snidely, glancing around.
“Jordan’s parent’s aren’t coming?” I asked. Until this moment it hadn’t occurred to me—and it really should have—that the royals from my monarchy might have been here tonight. Jordan hadn’t mentioned anything at all, no doubt because he’d already known they couldn’t make it.
“Yeah, they had a conflict in their schedule or something,” Alex said, sounding like he didn’t believe it. “Guess that makes my parents the second most powerful monarchs in the room, should the need arise for anyone to pull rank.”
Thank fuck King Felipe and Rafe were here because if the Australasian monarchs had been the most powerful, we’d all be in big trouble.
We moved farther into the incredible room. I’d already spent more time than I wanted with Alex, so at that point, I jerked free of him and made my way over to politely greet some of my teachers. I'd done what he’d asked. I'd turned up on his arm and pretended for prying eyes that we were still together, but I'd rather walk on broken rocks barefoot than spend the whole evening watching him act.
He'd ruined enough of my Arbon experience so far, I wouldn't let him take this magical ball from me too.
"You're doing well," someone commented in a quiet voice, startling me as I refilled my glass of champagne from an open bottle. The bubbling liquid sloshed, but I managed to recover before it ended up all over my dress.
"King Felipe," I exclaimed, blinking up at him. "Hi. I mean, uh..." I looked around, uncertain what the protocol was for greeting a king in public. I mean, we were on friendly terms privately, but were there rules and shit for a situation like this? And more to the point, why had no one told me?
He gave me an amused grin. "You're fine, Violet," he assured me. "I've been keeping an eye on you tonight and had to commend your slick ability to dodge the Australasian prince. I think to the unsuspecting eye, it would just seem like you're a social butterfly."
I swallowed my bitter laugh with a sip of my champagne. "Well, thanks. This ball is incredible; I just wish..." I trailed off, biting my tongue against what I wanted to say.
King Felipe was an observant man, though, and no fool. He gave me a knowing smile. "You just wish you were here with the person you truly cared for. Or, perhaps,people?"
My face flushed hot, and I had no words. Was he angry? He didn'tseemangry, but then how would I feel if I were in his shoes? He was always going to have his son's best interests at heart.
"I'm not one to go telling you how to live your life, Violet," he said gently, refilling his own glass from the bottle I'd left on the table, "but Rafe is a different man when you're around. He dealt with a lot of heavy darkness as a child, things he never, ever should have been exposed to, and it's a dark shadow he's carried with him into adulthood. This week with you in our home is the lightest I've ever seen that shadow over him." He paused, sipping his wine and scanning his eyes around the room. I knew when he found Rafe because his face softened and his eyes warmed. Anyone could see how much he loved his son.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, not sure what I was apologizing forexactly, just that I needed to.
King Felipe shook his head. "Nothing to be sorry for, Violet. You need to follow your heart, same as we all do. Just try not to break my boy’s when you do finally make your mind up? Either of them."
Jesus fucking Christ.No pressure, or anything. He clearly thought of Jordan as family too, so really... I was fucked.
Neither one of us spoke for a few moments, and I couldn't help following King Felipe's line of sight. Across the room, Rafe and Jordan stood together with some of their other friends from the Royals soccer team, chatting and laughing. They were such good friends... Was I risking more than just a broken heart? Their bond of friendship was stronger than casual sex with some girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Wasn't it?
Claudette sidled up to Rafe, pawing at his arm with her hand thatwasn'tin a cast, and a selfish spike of satisfaction shot through me when he shook her off.
"King Felipe, may I ask you something?" I spoke before really processing my thoughts. But then, he'd told me during the week to always speak my mind around him. He nodded, and I pursed my lips in thought. "Why is Rafe still betrothed to Claudette? Knowing what you know... it’s just not adding up. I didn't pick you and Jacinta for the arranged marriage kind of parents. Not to mention..." I trailed off then because what I was about to say next was treading a line with so many royals in the room, including Claudette's parents, the king and queen of the Britains.
