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“Okay.” After pressing a brief, light kiss to my cheek, he releases me and strides off toward an imposing man who’s speaking to the king consort.
I’m only alone for a few seconds when another hand closes around mine. As soon as I take my next breath, the scent of bergamot and nettles settles over me and I smile. “Taiyo,” I murmur while he’s still turning me to face him. “I heard you guys have been knee-deep in interviews.”
He blows out a frustrated breath, those warm brown eyes flickering with annoyance until it melts away when his gaze meets mine. “The press has been a bother, but it’s all part of it. Besides, it’ll be over soon and then we can go back to only making appearances in the news or on silly talk shows on occasion.”
“Have you spoken to Kaz?”
This brings a warm smile to his face. “We have. He’s torn up, but he seems certain in his choice. I still can’t really believe it.”
I smile sadly.
He slides a finger under my chin and smiles when I lift my eyes back to his. “That doesn’t mean it won’t work out. There’s nothing to worry about, okay?”
“So you keep saying,” I murmur, holding him tight and playing with the long hair on top of his head as we sway together, using the opportunity more as an excuse to hold each other than actually dancing. “I’m just paranoid, I’m sure.”
He tightens his grip on me. “It’s natural to be scared, Maddison, but you need to trust us.”
“I do trust you.” I close my eyes, breathing in his comforting, warm scent as I gently drag my nails along his scalp. “It’s just not nice being separated for so long, is all. It hurts.”
Physically hurts, but I don’t say that. They’re doing their best, and it’s not going to do anyone any favors if they know I feel this strange, painful discomfort when we’re apart. Okay, so I’ve been feeling it anyway, but it’s better when I’m with them. Being held by them. I’ve been trying to find comfort in their scents when we’re apart, but as much as I’ve made anot-nestwith the items I’veborrowedfrom them, it’s not the same when they’re not with me.
I don’t care what anyone says. The shrine I’ve built to them in my chambers isnota nest. I’mnotgoing into heat. I’ve been taking my suppressants religiously and although they’re definitely not working like they should be, this is just stress. Uncertainty.
It’s simply a matter of being in love for the first time under such very unusual, very stressful circumstances.That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
“We’re not enjoying the separation either,” Tai murmurs before he sighs. “Soon, though, we won’t ever have to endure it again. For now, however, I need to go have a quick chat with my mother. She keeps trying to grab my attention. See you soon?”
“Very soon,” I say hopefully, and then I watch as the crowd swallows him as he walks away from me.
Yua smiles when she sees me looking at them, but there’s something tense about the set of her jaw and shoulders. As soon as he reaches her, she bends her head to his and starts talking, leading him away until I can’t see them anymore.
Kaz is dancing with Casey, but when he sees me standing in the middle of the dance floor by myself, he releases her immediately and strides over to me, wordlessly offering me his hand. I take it, drinking in those glittering black eyes as he keeps his gaze on mine while we dance.
He doesn’t say anything at first, but somehow, his silence speaks volumes as he guides me across the floor with sure, commanding movements that make me feel more graceful than I ever have before. Eventually, he wraps a tender arm around my waist and cradles me against him. “Are you all right, Maddison? You’re somehow flushed and pale at the same time.”
“I’m just nervous,” I admit quietly. “I haven’t seen much of you for the last couple days.”
“It was unavoidable,” he says, but there’s an undercurrent of something disconcerting in his voice. “I can’t be seen dancing with you any longer than I have with Antonio and Casey. We need to keep up appearances until the final announcement is made.”
“Of course,” I murmur, but his words stir up the uncertainty that’s been swirling in my belly all along. “You haven’t changed your mind, have you?”
“No, Maddie. I haven’t, but it’s more complicated than you think,” he says as he spins me out and then dips into a bow. “This is where I leave you for now, love. Try to have some fun tonight and don’t worry about leaving a shoe behind when the clock strikes twelve. We’ll find you later anyway.”
He winks quickly, and then he’s gone, but Antonio saves me from once again standing all alone in the center of the dance floor. “You look like you could use a drink, girlfriend. Let’s go to the bar. I could sure do with another glass of that fancy wine before it’s all over.”
Forcing down the fear that’s threatening to choke me, I smile and take his arm. “Yeah, so could I. It’s been a hell of a night, hasn’t it?”
“I’d imagine it has been for you. A romantic moment with every member of the RP in front of all these cameras must be rather intimidating. We’d better get you an extra big glass of wine.”
I blink, noticing all the cameras for the first time as I look around. I’m not sure how I missed them before, but I’ve been so focused on my Alphas—and on not making a fool of myself—since I walked in here that I really haven’t been paying much attention.
“It has been a bit of a whirlwind,” I agree. “To be fair, it wasn’t so much a romantic moment with each of them as it was a minute to catch up.”
“It looked romantic to me,” he says, smirking before his face suddenly drops and his eyes go wide just as we reach the bar. “Don’t look now, but the queen and the king consort are coming our way.”
My eyes go round, but when I peer over my shoulder, I realize he’s right. They’re not only coming our way, they’re walking directly to us.
When they stop only a few feet away, the king smiles kindly but the queen’s lips purse again as she looks me over. I think it must be her default when she sees me, the disapproving, royal lip-purse. “Maddison,” she says coldly. “It’s incredible how a well-designed dress can make a pauper look like a princess, isn’t it?”
