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“I’m doing the best I can,” I say, which is true, but I don’t want to give anything else away. When I inevitably get dismissed from the Trials, I don’t want my family knowing it has anything to do with who I am or where I come from. “The Royal Pack is nicer than I thought they would be. I think we’ll be happy here.”
Mum shakes her head at me. “You should probably get back, but promise me one thing before you leave?”
“Anything.”
“It’s wonderful that you’ve somehow managed to arrange all this for us, but I can’t help but wonder what you’ve given in return. Promise me you’ll think ofyourselfin these trials and what you want. Not just what might help us. We’re your parents, Maddie. We’re supposed to be taking care of you, not the other way around.”
“You do take care of me.”
She chuckles. “I’m just worried you sacrificed something to make this happen.”
“I didn’t.” They weren’t going to choose me either way. “It’s all fine, Mum. I promise. How are you feeling?”
She shrugs. “If you can insist on being fine, then I can do the same. I’ll be right here if you need me, okay? You should get back now. I’m sure you don’t have time to spend the rest of the day with us.”
“As much as I would love to stay, I do need to get back.”
My heart protests at the thought of leaving them again so soon, but Mary told me she’d be waiting after breakfast. “My lady-in-waiting wants to give me some lessons before she gets me ready for dinner tonight.”
“Lessons?” Mum laughs. “What lessons?”
“Etiquette.” I groan and roll my eyes. “I’m having dinner with all three members of the Royal Pack later, and she believes I’ll make a fool of myself if we don’t have a dry-run first. Apparently, I’m having a charm-school crash-course today. Then, she’s going to pluck and polish me until I look like a queen.”
Mum reaches for my hand and squeezes it, smiling beautifully as she waves me off with her free hand. “Go on, then. In my opinion, you’ve always looked like a queen, but I suppose I’m biased. Give your lady-in-waiting all my love and tell her to come say hello to me sometime. I’d love to hear all about your adventures in the palace from an honest outsider. You’ve been sugarcoating things, I’m sure.”
I chuckle. “The only thing she’ll tell you that I haven’t is that we regularly argue about the height of my heels and that I have to wear them at all.”
“You’ve been wearing heels?” Mum’s brows sweep up. “How’s that been going for you?”
“Not well,” I admit. “During the Scenting Ceremony, I fell. I’m surprised Dad didn’t tell you. I’ve tripped into so many of the Omegas at meal times that they’re walking circles around me now.”
She chuckles. “That sounds about right. Dinner with the Royal Pack, huh? That seems like a really big deal.”
“It is, but we’re just friends.”
Her brows lower curiously at that comment, and I realize my mistake. “I mean,” I correct. “For now, we’re just friends.”
“Even so, being friends with those boys is quite something.” Her cloudy eyes turn sad as she releases my hand. “Now, about that promise.”
“I will do whatever I can to make myself happy,” I promise before giving her a kiss on top of her head. “I’ll visit again soon, okay?”
Regardless of her protests that follow me out the door, Iwillvisit them again soon. I don’t want them to feel like a burden or that having them here is lessening this experience for me in some way. I’ve genuinely missed them, and now that I can see them whenever I’ve got time to myself, I’m definitely coming back as often as I can.
On my way back to the palace, my mind wanders to replay the promise I made to my mum. When I made it, I had no intention of upholding it, but now I’m wonderingwhy the hell not?
Seeing the place where I’ll be staying as soon as this is over has been grounding. The fact of the matter is that I’ve only got so much time left in the palace. I’d be a fool not to make the most of it. That kiss with Kaspian earlier was so hot that it nearly ignited my bones, and Tai rocked my world the other night.
Regardless of their reactions when they get a whiff of my scent, they’re clearly not as repulsed by me as I thought. I’ve never been as attracted to anyone as I am to them. Maybe the happiness I feel when I’m with them will be fleeting, but it’s better than not feeling any happiness at all.
Mind made up, I sit through all of Mary’s lessons without objection. Then, while she’s helping me get ready, excitement flutters in my stomach at the thought of what tonight might hold. There’s no guarantee anything will happen. If it doesn’t, then it doesn’t. It’ll still be fun hanging out with the three of them, but if something does happen, I’ll go for it with everything I’ve got.
As if thinking about him made him feel the need to reach out to me, my phone beeps with an incoming text from Kaz.
PK: Do not hide the freckles tonight.
I smile, passing the message along to a surprised Mary when I swat her powder puff away.
“If that’s what the prince wishes,” she says with a kind grin. “I knew you’d come around to them eventually.”
