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All of the participants finish their dances in short succession. The music thumps to a wild beat matching the rhythm of my heart. Some of the Elves watching on from the side are engaging with one another in ways other than just talking.

“Who will go onto the final round? You may select only three to participate,” my father announces to the room, voice magically amplified over the music.

I pause. This is when I shouldn’t pick Ramona, though she’s looking at me in such an irritatingly beautiful way, it makes my veins light with fire. Fuck! “I choose Sylvia, Odessa, and…”

Ramona lifts one eyebrow in challenge.

Fuck it.

“Ramona.”

Whispers erupt at the realization that the human is making it to the final round with their prince, already gossiping about what this could mean.

My father raises his hands, speaking more to the audience than me. Always careful to put on an act, I’ve learned, is just another one of his masks. “And for the final selection process, my son must kiss each of the lovely elv—” The crowd chuckles. “—women to determine who will spend the night with him in the Hollow.”

I keep my eyes ahead, not focusing on anyone in particular. Sylvia steps forward, her long, flowing white hair reaching the middle of her back. Long and slender, she is almost my height. I clear my throat and lean forward, pressing my lips to hers. She makes the slightest of movements with her lips, but I don’t respond.

She breaks away, eyes downcast.

Next, Odessa rushes forward so fast I almost lose my balance. She physically jumps onto me like a cat running up a tree. I grip her legs to hold her up and prepare for the—argh! Her kiss is sloppy and wet. I release my arms, dropping her to the ground.

The crowd cheers, probably believing they just witnessed a passionate kiss. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

My heart pounds against the back of my ribs, begging to be let out of its cage. I force it to slow. Take a breath.

Breathe.

Ramona steps forward, the slit of her dress parting to reveal tan, smooth skin. I never realized before now how much I like the way she struts. Like she owns this entire palace. She stops just in front of me.

Does her heart pound like mine?

I never imagined our first kiss in front of the entire tribe.

Though, I suppose, until recently, I never imagined a kiss between us at all.

And now, here we are. Ramona standing right in front of me with a body so delicious… Gods, I want to tear that dress off of her, jealous that it gets to feel every curve before me.

Her brows furrow. I’m sure she isn’t liking this, only feeling obligated to participate in this silly competition as a friend. Or worse, as a prank. She probably doesn’t even like me. Not the way I do her.

“Leaf?” Her voice is surprisingly breathless, light. Not the normal confidence that gilds her tone.

She’s still waiting. Not running away. Willing.

I ask without asking. Are you okay with this?

I’m standing here, aren’t I?

Without another thought, I curl my spine forward and gently grab either side of her face. Her dark curls tickle my hands as my lips find hers. Full and soft and supple and warm. My entire body ignites with energy, like she’s tapping into my inner magic stores. Another delightful, buzzing overtakes my senses, zipping from the top of my head to my toes.

Time falls away.

The room blurs.

It’s only her. She’s been so close for so long, I was blind to it.

It’s always been her.

“That’s enough!” my father shouts. “Your selection has been made clear, Leaf.”