Oh, well. Like I said before, I could’ve done worse than a prince.
The other couples began to join us on the dance floor. Many of the other contestants were dancing respectfully, but Elijah and Gabby were clearly making the whole thing about themselves. They waltzed around in an elaborate way that took up most of the room and drew unneeded attention.
Gabby had chosen to wear a red dress that had a high-neck collar with black lace around the corset, along with a red cape that swept off her shoulders and trailed behind her. She looked like a fucking evil queen, and played the part all too well. Elijah wore a tuxedo of all black to match his dark heart.
Gabby sneered at me as Ethan and I spun past. It took everything in me to hold myself back and not rip her hair out.
Screw Gabby. My gown was prettier, and probably more expensive. My mother had spent over a grand on it. Mom told me she’d taken part in the King’s Contest, too, alongside Ethan’s dad. She’d helped him win.
But after she’d made sure he was crowned king, she picked Anastazy. Could I do the same? Could I break the vow I made to Ethan after I put him on the throne, and resume my search for the Phantom?
With one look at Ethan’s face, I knew I couldn’t. He looked so happy. I couldn’t break his heart. Not even for love.
As the dance ended, there was applause. Lord Lucien had shown up. He put a hand on Ethan’s arm and said, “I beg your pardon, but Steward Soloman and some other members of the Circle request your presence.” Lord Lucien took a glance at me. “You look very lovely, Emma.”
“Thank you,” I replied. Lord Lucien appeared very charming himself, his long hair slicked back. He was very attractive for an older man.
Ethan turned to me. “Will you be all right while I deal with dreadful matters of state? I don’t want to drag you into the boredom.”
“I’ll be fine. Go,” I told him. Ethan walked off with Lucien, and I took the opportunity to go look for the girls. I found them gossiping by the statue of an alicorn. The boys were nowhere to be seen.
“Where did everyone go?” I asked as I broke into the circle.
“Well, in Stefan’s words, he went togo find some ale that doesn’t taste like horse piss,” Delmare said.
“What about Alexei?” I asked.
“He’s hiding from Kiara,” Delmare whispered. Kiara smacked her on the arm, and Delmare snickered wickedly.
“He has no reason to hide from me,” Kiara said. “I’ve done nothing.”
“Except give him a hard-on!” Odette peeped, and she covered her mouth with her hands. Delmare held her gut as she bent over laughing.
Kiara scowled. “Everything is about dicks with you girls.”
“Is there anything else to talk about?” Delmare glanced at me. “Where’s princey-pie?”
“Talking to some boring old people, most likely,” I said. A couple of people were watching me. I turned my back to them and asked, “How’s the public reception going?”
“You’re not very well liked, I can tell you that much,” Kiara said. “The gossip going around is… to be desired.”
“Like I give a shit what a bunch of stuffed shirts say about me,” I hissed. They didn’t know a thing about me.
“Either way, you and Ethan have fallen to last place for favorites,” Kiara said. “Well, almost last. Elijah and Gabby sunk to the bottom once they announced their allegiance to Droga.”
I glanced at the demonic couple themselves, but if they had fallen out of favor with the public, it didn’t seem like it bothered them. They laughed and beamed at diplomats as if they were the public’s first choice.
“Why are you even here, anyway?” Delmare broke in. “A few weeks ago, you acted like you and Ethan being together was impossible.”
“We’re not together. This is an arrangement out of mutual benefit,” I said under my breath.
“That sounds romantic.” Delmare snorted.
“It doesn’t have to be. It’s practical.” I sounded like Ethan. Gods, he was already getting to me.
“But we thought that you’d already found your mate?” Kiara asked.
“Yeah. You said that you were mated to the Phantom?” Odette said, placing a hand on her hip.
