Julian’s words rendered me speechless, and for a long moment, I didn’t say anything. He seemed content himself to let the words linger, and they did, hanging heavy in the air. It meant the world to me, for Julian to feel that way. I only wished Nicholas felt the same. As it was, while the words we
“Selma!” Julian called. “Can you come here a minute? There’s something I want to talk to you about.” “Of course, Prince Julian,” Selma said and she came near. I couldn’t see her with Julian in the way, but I could hear her well enough when she said, “How can I help you?” “Selma, listen, I’ve bee
Whether I was in danger or not, I was still likely to be eliminated at the next elimination ceremony. Being more popular than Bridget was not something I ever expected to happen, but now that it had, and now that Selma was confirming it had caused me to draw ire from the King and Queen, I knew the e
“I don’t know anything about running a nation,” I said. “You are learning, and you’re learning quickly. Think of all the events, Piper. You’ve done so well. And the times that you hadn’t were because there were plots set against you.” “Plots against me are part of the competition. I should be ab
“They’re pushing him past his limits,” Julian said again, “And it’s about time too.” I looked at him sharply. Surely he couldn’t be happy that his brother was being harassed into uncharacteristic outbursts. He shrugged at my look. “He’s finally acting like a living breathing human in front of th
Palm trees zig-zagged around, some of them bent at odd angles. One even looked like it had grown sideways for a while before bending back upwards. Sitting there on the sideways part of the tree, was Nicholas. Just where Julian had said he would be. “Piper?” he called. I smiled a little as I wa
“But I thought…” My voice trailed. My brain was having a hard time processing Nicholas’s words, especially since my body was already kicking into overdrive. My core was getting hot and wet. I pressed my thighs tight together for friction. “Before you said…” It was hard to remember now. I forced my
“One second,” Nicholas said and stepped back from me, even as his gaze inspected and appreciated every square inch of my exposed skin, particularly my breasts and the apex of my thighs. It wasn’t anything he hadn’t seen before, but every time he saw it, he looked as hungry and lustful as the first.