“You’re challenging,” he says.
I turn to meet his dark eyes. “How?”
He grins. “You hardly accept my first answer. Do you know how many people wouldn’t dare question royalty? You’re bold, brave, and beautiful. When you’re around, the world is a more exciting place. Colors are brighter and food tastes better.”
I can’t help but snort at the exaggeration, which makes him laugh.
“There’s no artifice to you.” He places a hand on mine. “Most people adopt a persona around royalty, but it feels like I’ve met the real Zea-Mays Calico.”
A breath catches in the back of my throat. I might never have put on a false front, but I haven’t been honest about my intentions for joining the Princess Trials. It’s a massive lie by omission and one he won’t forgive.
“Alright,” I say.
“One more thing. I like the person I become when I’m with you.” He chuckles. “You look through the title and see the real me.”
Empathy clutches at my heart, and I offer him a sad smile.
Prince Kevon smiles back. “Will you consider staying in the guesthouse with Forelle?”
A mix of emotions assaults me at once. Excitement, relief, and nausea because Berta’s words float to the surface of my mind. Girls like me don’t get the handsome prince. I want to leave the Oasis, and deep down, I want to stay connected to Prince Kevon, but not if that means he will choose someone else as his wife.
As we park outside one of the guesthouses, I can’t help but blurt, “Do you want me to become your royal mistress?”
His eyes widen, and he gasps out, “Zea…”
The passenger door flies open, and a strong hand wraps around my forearm. “Zea-Mays Calico,” sneers Lady Circi. “I knew you would return to Garrett’s little love-nest.”
Chapter 30
Lady Circi drags me out of the car, and a shocked breath hisses through my teeth as something hard presses into my kidney. My body freezes, and I gaze out into the vast lawn, not daring to turn around.
I don’t need to be an expert on firearms to guess that it’s a gun, but I can’t tell if Lady Circi is holding it to my back or if it’s just one of the many weapons she keeps strapped to her body.
Prince Kevon storms out of the car, his face flushed with fury. “Unhand her at once!”
“Why?” The sarcasm in Lady Circi bristles along my nerve endings. “So you can set her up as a mistress the way Garrett set up that Pyrus girl? Her parents are frantic with concern about the whereabouts of their daughter. After recent events, her disappearance is causing unrest in Rugosa.”
My throat closes. I’m sure Forelle and I spoke about the effect her staying in the Oasis would have on her parents, but maybe I just worried about them in my mind. Our last conversation seems a lifetime away.
Despite the weapon digging into my organs, I agree with Lady Circi’s anger. Forelle hasn’t been onscreen since her audition, and not mere days after that, Rafaela got murdered. I’m sure seeing Gemini explode on camera and the chandelier falling on those Industrial girls would have affected everyone in Rugosa, not just Mr. And Mrs. Pyrus.
“I command you to release Zea-Mays Calico at once,” the prince growls.
“You don’t have the authority,” replies Lady Circi.
Prince Kevon walks around the bumper and stops at our side. “We both know that will change in a matter of days or weeks.” There’s a hardness to his voice that I’ve never heard before. “Tread carefully, Lady-at-arms, your next actions will determine whether you lead the next king’s security forces or become the lady-in-waiting for a dowager queen.”
Lady Circi releases my arms and steps away. I spin around to find that she wears a streamlined, bullet-proof tunic shaped to look like an A-line mini dress. A holster wraps around her bust and holds guns at each side, and two others cross her torso. One of them contains the pistol that pressed into my back.
The prince’s strong arm wraps around my waist. “Are you alright?”
Concern pinches his eyes, and the warmth of his embrace shifts something deep in my heart. No one has ever looked at me like this before, and it’s addictive.
“You have feelings for her,” says Lady Circi.
Prince Kevon’s brows draw together, and his lips part. He’s already accepted that I don’t love him, but I didn’t dare to ask how he felt about me. Still holding me in his dark gaze, he nods.
My empty stomach flutters, and a dozen protests rise to the back of my throat. I’m on the opposite side of an upcoming war. I’m here to destroy the structure that keeps him in power. I’m supposed to be in love with Ryce Wintergreen.
Despite this, I can’t help losing myself in Prince Kevon’s adoring gaze. He sees me, not a candidate of the Princess Trials, not a Harvester girl or a soldier. The way he holds me, the way he gazes into my eyes says that I’m precious to him.
A lump forms in my throat as I realize that Prince Kevon would never send me on a mission of unknown danger.
“I have my orders, Your Highness.” She folds her arms across her chest. “As the target of attempted murder, Miss Calico is required to give evidence in the Chamber of Ministers.”
My gaze darts to the Lady-at-arms, who is probably exaggerating. With the number of guards available, why would they send Queen Damascena’s right-hand to fetch me? I suspect she’s here on the queen’s request to capture me, but the truth in Prince Kevon’s words has changed her mind.
“We’ll follow you,” replies Prince Kevon.
Lady Circi opens her mouth to protest, and then inclines her head. Without another word, she walks to the black van and climbs in the passenger seat.
Prince Kevon opens the car door. “I’m sorry about this, but we must ensure that Prunella Broadleaf doesn’t hurt you again.”
I slide onto the leather seat and stare
