The Heir (13 page)

I
STOPPED BY
J
ACK
’
S ROOM
after dinner, and he was waiting for me outside the door. That was kind of strange, but I figured his nerves had gotten the best of him.

“Good evening, Jack,” I said, approaching.

“Your Highness,” he replied with a bow.

“You can call me Eadlyn.”

He smiled. “Great. Eadlyn.”

There was an awkward silence as I waited for him to offer his arm. He simply stood there, his smile tight but his eyes animated. When I finally gave up on him figuring it out, I pointed toward the stairs. “It’s this way.”

“Super.” Then he started walking ahead of me, even though he didn’t know the way.

“No, Jack. We need to turn here.” I said the same thing maybe three or four times as we traveled, and he never
apologized. He simply went where I told him as if he’d been planning to go that way all along. I did my best to let his missteps slide. With a handful of boys already mentally lined up for the next elimination, I didn’t want a reason to add Jack to that list.

The palace went up four stories, but it went down much farther. The
Report
was filmed on the sub-one floor, and there was a storage area as well as the theater. The staff and guards also had rooms on the first and second sublevels, but their quarters weren’t connected to the theater wing. There was also a monstrous safe room beneath all of that. I’d only had to go there twice that I remembered: once during a drill when I was three and once when the last string of rebels attacked us shortly after.

It was strange to think about it. The rebels were gone, but now we were faced with different pockets of people fighting the monarchy. I almost wished the rebels still existed. At least we could put a name to that. At least back then we knew exactly who we were fighting.

I shook my head, coming back to the situation at hand. I was on a date. As I remembered that fact, I chided myself. Dad would have wanted a camera here for this. Oh, well. Next time.

“So, I hope you like movies.”

“I do,” Jack replied enthusiastically.

“Good. I do as well, but it’s not always possible for me to go out to the theater. We have access to a few new films downstairs, though our options are limited. Chances are
we’ll have something good.”

“That’s great.” It was strange, this fine line he was walking between being rude and polite. I wondered if he simply didn’t know how many mistakes he was making.

A butler had already made us popcorn, and I used the remote to scroll through our options.

“How about
Eye of the Beholder
?” I suggested. The brief description hinted at romance and drama, as did the poster image.

“That sounds okay. Any action in that one?”

“I don’t think so. There is in
Black Diamonds
.” The picture was dark and brooding, with the silhouette of a man with a gun off to one side. It wasn’t something I’d have seen of my own volition.

“Yeah! That sounds good.”

“We have other choices,” I said, trying to make my way back to the menu.

“But this is what I want to watch. It won’t be too scary. And if it is, you can snuggle up next to me.”

I made a face, wondering if I should have given Apsel more consideration. The seats in our theater were wide and very soft. The only way I could snuggle up to anyone would be to squish myself into his seat, which was not going to happen. Also, I’d rather be scarred for life than admit to being afraid.

Then again, that wasn’t what I was worried about with this movie. It simply didn’t seem worth watching.

I sighed, feeling a little overrun. Again, it was as if he
wasn’t aware of how foolish he was acting. I let it go, thinking I’d need to tell Dad that the boys as a whole required more etiquette training, and started the movie.

Long story short, Main Guy’s dad was killed by Bad Guy. Main Guy spends his life tracking down Bad Guy, but Bad Guy slips from his grasp several times. Main Guy sleeps with Super Blonde. Super Blonde disappears. Main Guy kills Bad Guy, and Super Blonde shows up again. Oh, and some things explode.

Jack seemed to enjoy it, but I was bored. If Super Blonde had killed someone, I might have cared a little more.

But at least we didn’t have to talk.

When the credits rolled, I used the remote to raise the lights.

“So, what did you think?” he asked, his eyes bright with excitement.

“It was okay. Definitely seen better.”

The movie seemed to leave him hyperanimated. “But the effects were incredible!”

“Sure, but the story was tired.”

He squinted his eyes. “I liked it.”

“All right.”

“Does that make you upset?”

I made a face. “No. It just means you have bad taste.”

He laughed, a dark sound that was more foreboding than friendly. “I love it when you do that.”

“Do what?” I stood and took my popcorn bowl to the counter, leaving it for the staff.

“I’ve been waiting all night for a little of your attitude.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’ve been hoping you’d get mad or snippy.” He brought his bowl over, too. “When you cleared out the Men’s Parlor the day after the parade? That was great. I mean, I don’t want to go home, but I wouldn’t be devastated if you yelled at me.”

I stared at him. “Jack, you do realize we’ve hardly spoken to each other, and in the first conversation we have, you reveal that my anger turns you on. Do you see how this might be a lapse in judgment on your part?”

He broke into a smile, undeterred. “I thought you’d appreciate my honesty. I have the feeling you get irritated easily, and I want you to know that doesn’t bother me. I actually like it.”

Jack reached for my hand, and I ripped it away. “You thought wrong. This date is over. Goodnight.”

He caught up to me, grabbing me again. I didn’t want to admit how scared I was, but I could feel the icy strands of fear pulsing through my veins. He was bigger than me, and he seemed to enjoy a fight.

“Don’t run off,” he said silkily. “I’m only trying to tell you that I think I could be a good fit for you, an easy match.” He ran his fingers down my cheek and under my jaw. His breathing was speeding up, and I knew I couldn’t waste time. I had to get out of here now.

I squinted my eyes. “And I’m only trying to tell you that if you don’t remove your hand, you will be dead before
you could be a match for anyone.”

“Hot.” He smirked, seeming to think I was enjoying this. “This is a fun little game.”

“Let. Me. Go.”

He loosened his hand, but I could still see the wild excitement in his eyes. “This was fun. Let’s do it again soon.”

I went for the stairs, praying he wouldn’t chase me. From this second forward, there would be cameras on every. Single. Date.

When I made my way breathlessly to the first floor, I found a pair of officers and ran straight to them.

“Your Highness,” the first gasped as I fell into his arms.

“Get him out of here!” I insisted, pointing toward the stairs. “Jack! Get him out of my house!”

The guards let me go, sprinting to capture him, and I cowered on the floor, petrified.

“Eadlyn?”

Just behind me, Ahren was approaching. I let out a cry and bolted into his embrace.

“What happened? Are you hurt?”

“It was Jack,” I stammered. “He grabbed my arm. He touched me.” I shook my head, trying to understand how it escalated so quickly, only then seeing it hadn’t been fast at all.

He was often watching me, never approaching, quietly biding his time. Even tonight his moves were slow, watching my rising frustration with a reserved thrill of energy, enjoying the building tension until the moment of release.

“He kept saying strange things, and the way he looked at me . . . Ahren, I’ve never been so scared.”

We both turned at the uproar coming up the stairs. The two guards were wrestling with Jack, getting him up to the landing. Once his eyes fell on me, he began snarling.

“You liked it!” he insisted. “You were coming on to me!”

Grabbing my hand, Ahren pulled me over to Jack, though my instinct was to run in the other direction. He planted me right in front of Jack’s face.

“Knock his lights out, Eadlyn,” Ahren commanded. I stared up at him, thinking it was a joke. But the rage in his eyes told me otherwise.

I was tempted. I couldn’t retaliate when people called me names or criticized my clothes. I couldn’t go back to the parade and tell all those people how foolishly they’d acted. But here, for once, I could take revenge on someone who’d truly wronged me.

I might have done it if it wasn’t for Jack’s wicked grin, like he hoped I would, like he’d dream about the touch later. Sex and violence were connected in his head, and to give him one was close to giving the other.

“I can’t,” I whispered.

Jack gave a fake pout. “You sure, sweetie? I wouldn’t mi—”

I’d never seen Ahren throw a punch before. It was almost as shocking as Jack’s limp body after my brother’s fist forced his head to whip back at an awkward angle.

Ahren grunted, holding his hand. “That hurts! Ow, that really hurts!”

“Let’s get you to the hospital wing,” I urged, pointing Ahren down the hall.

“Your Highness, should we take him with you?”

I looked at Jack’s limp form, noting the rise and fall of his chest.

“No. Get him on a plane, conscious or not.”

I piled into Ahren’s bed with him on one side and Kaden on the other. Ahren was flexing his wrapped fingers, which were badly bruised.

“Does it hurt?” Kaden asked, seeming more excited than worried.

“A little, but I’d do it all over again in a second.”

I smiled up at my twin, so grateful for him.

“If I had been there,” Kaden started, “I’d have challenged him to a duel.”

I giggled as Ahren reached across me to ruffle his hair. “Sorry, buddy, it all happened too quickly for me to think of that.”

Kaden shook his head. “All those years of sword-fighting lessons for nothing.”

“You were always better than me anyway,” Ahren said as Osten came in without knocking, a phone to his ear.

“If you had only practiced more!” Kaden chastised.

Osten landed on the bed chatting into the phone. “Yeah, yeah. Okay, hold on.” He turned the receiver away and looked to me. “Eady, where was that Jack guy from anyway?”

I tried to remember his form. “Paloma, I think.”

Kaden nodded. “It was Paloma.”

“Awesome.” Osten spoke into the phone again. “Did you hear that? I’ll be in touch.”

He hung up and slid the phone into his pocket as we all stared at him.

I laughed. “I’d usually try to stop whatever you’re doing, but I’m not even going to ask.”

“I think that’s for the best.”

I looked around at all my brothers, so caring and smart and puckish. So many times I’d hated them for not being older than me, for forcing me into a role I never wanted. Tonight, maybe for the first time, I loved them for exactly who they were. Kaden was distracting, Ahren had defended me, and Osten . . . well, he’d help in his own way.

Osten had left the door open, and Mom and Dad walked in to find all their children together.

Mom seemed happy to see her family safe, but Dad was shaken.

He put one hand on his hip and gestured with the other. “Everyone okay?”

“Slightly spooked,” I admitted.

“And a little bruised,” Ahren added.

Dad swallowed, taking us all in. “Eadlyn, I’m so sorry. I don’t know how he slipped through the cracks. I thought the applications were vetted, and I had no idea . . .”

He stopped, looking as though he was close to tears.

“I’m all right, Daddy.”

He nodded but didn’t speak.

Mom stepped forward, taking over. “We’d like to put some guidelines in place. Perhaps have a guard nearby on any dates from here on out, or have all dates in a public area.”

“That or have photographers. I think that would help, too.” I cursed myself again for not remembering earlier.

“Excellent idea, sweetie. We want to keep this safe.”

“Which reminds me,” Dad said, under control again. “How do you want to proceed with Jack? Should we cover this up? Press formal charges? Personally, I’d like to tear him limb from limb, but that’s really up to you.”

I smiled. “No charges, but let’s not cover it up. Let everyone know exactly what kind of man he is. That will be punishment enough.”

“Very wise,” Ahren agreed.

Dad folded his arms, considering. “If that’s what you want, that’s what we’ll do. I’ve been told he’s on his way home now, and that will be the end of it.”

“Thank you.”

Dad put his arm around Mom, and they turned to leave, Mom taking one last look at all of us.

“By the way,” Dad said, glancing over his shoulder, “while I agree with the sentiment behind throwing him out without seeing if he regained consciousness, if he
had
died, that would have looked really bad.”

I pressed my lips together, but I knew my eyes were smiling. “Fine. No more carelessly tossing people out through the gates.”

“And more sword fights!” Kaden yelled.

While Ahren and I laughed, our parents shook their heads. “Goodnight. Don’t stay up too late,” Mom warned.

And we didn’t mean to, but we did end up talking for a long time. I eventually fell asleep with Kaden’s back pressed against mine, Ahren’s arm under my head, and Osten holding on to one of my feet.

I woke early the next morning, well before the others, and smiled at my brothers, my protectors. The sister in me wanted to stay. But the princess in me got up and went to prepare for the new day.

W
HILE WE SAT AT THE
breakfast table the next morning, I found myself looking over the boys, searching for signs that anyone else might be like Jack. I kept thinking that if I’d paid more attention those first few days, I’d have been able to see there was something off about him.

Then my eyes passed over some of the others I’d gotten to know, like Hale and Henri. Even Erik’s presence was a welcome one. After meeting them, I couldn’t let one boy make me fearful of all the others. And in truth, I really didn’t have the privilege of being fearful.

So I pulled myself together, remembering who I was. I couldn’t run scared.

As the meal drew to a close, I stood, commanding their attention. “Gentlemen, I have a surprise for you. In fifteen minutes, please come meet me in the studio for a little game.”

Some laughed and others clapped, but they didn’t know what was waiting for them. I almost felt bad. I left the room before them, going to make sure my dress and hair looked right for filming.

Shortly thereafter, the boys filed in, all of them seeming a little stunned by the set.

I sat in front, a bit like a schoolteacher, while they each had a stool with a paper and marker and a large, cartoonish name tag like the ones I’d seen on TV game shows.

“Welcome, gentlemen!” I sang. “Please come find your seat.”

The cameras were already rolling, capturing the nervous smiles and confused head shaking as they found their places and stuck on their tags.

“Today we’re having a pop quiz on all things Illéa. We’ll be discussing history, foreign affairs, and domestic policies. When you get an answer right, one of the maids standing by,” I said, motioning to the ladies waiting in the wings, “will come and put a gold check mark sticker on you. Get one wrong, and they’ll bring a black X.”

The boys chuckled with excitement and anxiety, looking at the baskets of stickers.

“Don’t worry, this is all for fun. But I will be using this information to help decide my next elimination. If you get the most wrong, it doesn’t mean you’re automatically out . . . but I’m watching,” I teased, pointing a finger at them.

“First question,” I announced. “This is an important one! When is my birthday?”

There were several laughs as the boys bent their heads,
scribbling answers and peeking at their neighbors’ answers.

“Okay, hold up your signs,” I ordered, and gawked humorously at the range of dates.

Kile, of course, knew it was April 16, and he had plenty of company, but there were only a few who knew the year as well.

“You know what, I’m going to go ahead and give this to anyone who got April at all.”

“All right!” Fox called enthusiastically, and Lodge and Calvin high-fived in the back. The maids crossed the stage, and boys who got an X wailed comically but took the stickers without sulking.

“Here’s one with lots of potential answers. Who would you consider Illéa’s greatest allies?”

Some correctly guessed France, Italy, and New Asia, while Henri held up Swendway, followed by several exclamation points.

Julian’s sign had several arrows drawn up to his face and had
ME
written in large letters.

I pointed at him. “Wait, wait, wait! What does that even mean?” I asked, trying to suppress a smile.

His grin was huge as he shrugged. “I just think I’d be a really great friend.”

I shook my head. “Ridiculous.” But I didn’t think I came off sounding as reproachful as I meant to.

A maid raised her hand on the side of the stage. “So does he still get an X or . . . ?”

“Oh, that’s an X!” I assured her, and the boys chuckled, even Julian.

Most correctly named August Illéa as Dad’s partner in eradicating the rebel forces, and they all knew the history of the Fourth World War. By the time we got to the end, I was pleased that the majority of them were so well-informed.

“Let me see. Who has the most checks?” The maids helped me count across the rows, which was very efficient since they had handed out the points. “Hale has six. So do Raoul and Ean. Bravo, gentlemen!”

I clapped, and the others joined in before realizing what was next.

“Okay, and now, who has the most X marks?”

The maids quickly pointed to the back corner, where poor Henri was covered with black.

“Oh, no, Henri!” I yelled with a laugh, trying to communicate how little stock I took in the game.

I really had hoped to weed out someone this way, but I knew Henri’s lack of information came from living in the country for only a year or a misunderstanding of the questions in translation.

“Who else do we have? Burke and Ivan . . . not too terrible.” They had each done pretty badly but still had three correct answers over Henri. At least it confirmed my lack of excitement over Ivan.

“Thank you all for indulging me this morning, and I will keep this information in mind as I continue to narrow down suitors in the next few weeks. Congratulations on being so intelligent!” I applauded them, and they patted one another on the back as the cameras powered down.

“Before you go, gentlemen, I have one last question; and it comes from some very recent history, so you all had best get it right.”

They nervously murmured among themselves, ready for the challenge.

“If you know the answer, feel free to just shout it out. Ready? When is it acceptable to put your hands on me without my permission?”

I stared at them all, stone-faced, daring a single one of them to laugh. They exchanged glances with one another, but it was only Hale who was brave enough to answer.

“Never,” he called out.

“That is correct. You’d all do well to remember that. Jack Ranger was let off easy, with nothing more than a punch to his face from my brother and the shame of his ejection. If another one of you attempts to touch me without my consent, you will be caned or worse. Are we clear?”

The room was still.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

I walked away, hoping my words would linger after me. The game was over, and they couldn’t be left doubting that.

After lunch Dad was a little late getting into the office, which was rare. So I was alone when Lady Brice came knocking on the door.

“Your Highness,” she greeted. “Is your father not here yet?”

“No. Not sure what’s holding him up.”

“Hmm.” She tidied the stack of papers in her arms, thinking. “I really needed to speak with him.”

Lady Brice looked so young sometimes. She was much older than me, of course, but not quite Dad’s age. I never really knew what to make of her. Not that I disliked her or anything, but I always wondered why she was the only woman Dad worked with.

“Anything I could help you with?” I offered.

She looked down, thinking it over. “I’m not sure how widely he’d want to share this information, so I don’t think so. Sorry.”

I smiled, knowing she meant it. “No problem. Lady Brice, can I ask you a question? You’re very smart and kind. Why haven’t you ever married?”

She giggled a little. “I am married. To this job! It means a lot to me, and I’d rather do it well than seek out a spouse.”

I rolled my eyes. “Amen to that.”

“I know you understand. And the only people I ever get to see are the other advisers, and I don’t think I’d want to be in a relationship with any of them. So I’ll just keep working.”

I nodded. “I respect that. I think people assume women aren’t happy without a husband and children, but you seem quite satisfied.”

She shrugged. “I think about it. I might adopt one day. I do think motherhood is an honor. And not everyone does it well.”

The hint of bitterness in her tone made me think she was
referring to her own mother, but I didn’t want to ask about specifics.

“I know. I’m fortunate to have such a wonderful one.”

She sighed, melting a little. “Your mom is a natural. In a way, she was like a second mother to me when I was younger, and I learned a lot from her.”

I squinted. “I didn’t realize you’d been around the palace that long.” I tried to remember if there was a time when I hadn’t seen her in the hallways, though I’d never paid much attention to the advisers until I hit thirteen and started working with Dad in earnest. Perhaps I simply didn’t notice.

“Yes, miss. I’ve been here almost as long as you,” she replied with a laugh. “Your parents are far too generous.”

Eighteen years was a long time to hold a position in the palace, especially as an adviser. Dad switched most people in and out every five to eight years based on recommendations and the mood of the country. What kept Lady Brice in her place for so long?

I studied her as she swept her hair over her shoulder and smiled. Had Dad let her stay because she was attractive? No. I felt guilty for even thinking Dad could be capable of being that shallow or selfish.

“Well, I’m sorry I can’t help you, but I’ll tell Dad you came by.”

“Thanks, Your Highness. It’s not terribly urgent, so there’s no rush. You have a good day.”

“You, too.”

She curtsied and left, and I watched the door long after she was gone, curious about this woman I’d apparently known all my life without realizing it. I shrugged it away, turning back to my papers. Between the Selection and work, there was no room in my head for Lady Brice.