He’s also, I realise, absolutely born to this role. What a fool I was in the Safe Zone, thinking I needed to work out how to fit him into my world. He was born into it, just as I was.
Joaquin is also everywhere. Except, possibly, where he’d most like to be. My bed. But it doesn’t stop him from grabbing me at every opportunity, pulling me into alcoves for heated kisses, whirling me around the empty ballroom until I’m breathless with laughter. I enjoy his company, truly. And he’s definitely hot. But I cannot bring myself to sleep with him, not yet. Something about the way he waits for me in the shadows reminds me of Kyle, of sneaking around. At least, I keep telling myself that’s the reason.
It’s what I tell Sophie, too, when we catch up for the first time since the Gathering. She’s back at work, seemingly recovered from her ordeal at Versailles. We screamed, throwing our arms around each other when we finally met again. And now, of course, she wants to know everything.
‘Half your luck, honestly.’
Sophie, leaning back on a pile of sacks, takes a bite of apple. There’s oil smudged across one cheek, more smeared across her grey jumpsuit, the Raven crest in black on the pocket. We’re in one of the cavernous garages at the edge of the estate, and I’m telling her my woes.
‘What?’
‘I only wish I had two hot men after me.’ She taps on her phone. ‘I mean, seriously. Look at them!’ She shows me a news article, with a photo of me at the Gathering. Michael stands next to me, broad-shouldered and serious, beautiful in his dark suit. On my other side is Joaquin, all glowering sexiness.
‘Ugh.’ I flop back, my hand to my head. ‘I knowwww.’
Sophie giggles. ‘Things could be worse.’
She’s right. Things could be a hell of a lot worse. I sit up. ‘I’m sorry,’ I say. ‘I shouldn’t be going on like this.’
‘You absolutely should! What are friends for, if not to discuss the merits of which hot person to kiss? I’m assuming you’ve kissed them both, anyway.’
I grimace, covering my face with my hands. Sophie squeals.
‘What do I doooo?’ I groan.
‘What you do,’ Sophie says, ‘is enjoy yourself. Your life is going to change so much, you need to have some fun. You’ve made no promises to anyone, have you? You’re the one with the power here.’
‘I guess so.’ I pause, overcome. It’s just so nice to sit with a friend and have no one expecting anything from me.
‘I get it.’ Sophie’s voice softens. ‘I know you have all the boys and dresses and power, but I can appreciate how … intense this all must be. You can always come and talk to me, you know.’
‘Thanks.’
Sophie smiles, but something glimmers in her blue gaze. ‘Just promise me that you won’t give up, that you’ll keep trying to change things. Don’t let all this coronation shit overwhelm you, or these boys distract you. I saw the Channel Islands, remember? You can do this.’
‘I won’t.’ I blink away tears.
‘Besides, there’s always Varin if this doesn’t pan out,’ she says with a giggle.
‘Break’s over. Back to it!’ A tall man walks into the garage, clad in Raven camouflage. It’s the guard who drove me back to Dark Haven after Kyle’s kidnap attempt. I made sure he got a commendation and a bonus, afterwards. He’s also the one whose voice I heard in the guardhouse. When he sees me, he stops short, then salutes.
‘Lady Raven. Forgive me.’
‘It’s fine.’ I get up, brushing my hands down my skirt. ‘It’s nice to see you again.’
‘And you, my lady.’ He glances from me to Sophie.
‘I should get back,’ Sophie murmurs, touching my hand. She heads over to the workbench, picking up a polishing rag.
‘Can I escort you anywhere, my lady?’ The guard holds out his arm.
I smile. ‘No, thank you. I know my way back this time.’
He returns my smile, inclining his head. ‘Of course.’
I leave the garage, but something makes me look back. The guard and Sophie are standing close together, talking. Then she throws her arms around his neck. I look away, wanting to give them privacy. I’m delighted for her – I don’t want to be the only one who’s been kissing hot guys. She better be ready to give me every detail next time I see her, though.
But when I look back again, they’re both gone.
