Delilah: I’m plenty sweet and innocent, trust me. This is the best conversation I’ve had in my life. How sad is that?
I laugh and it sounds loud in my room this late at night, when the castle is sleeping. Not for the first time, I wish for a quaint cottage that would feel cozy and warm instead of this cavernous monstrosity. I imagine Delilah lying in her bed, smiling at her phone, while I’m over here hard as granite.
Something tells me you’re not as innocent as you seem. This conversation being the main clue. Your secret meeting with me being the other. Don’t get me wrong, I am here for it.
Delilah: Since I am but a lowly princess and not a KING, tell me how it works…you have someone at your disposal at all times and don’t have to worry about hurting feelings or stringing anyone along? Everyone just knows you’re allowed to do whatever you want?
Mavis comes to mind again and I cringe, feeling guilty that I even considered having sex with her again after realizing she might have feelings.
When you put it that way, I sound like a terrible person. Let me clear one thing up. You could never be considered lowly. Have you looked in a mirror lately? Lowly is the last thing you are. Goddess, more like. And on the topic of disposals…I don’t regard any human as a waste. I have had mutually beneficial attachments that are maybe not the best option, but it’s pretty impossible to find a wife while being king. I refuse to have an arranged marriage. It worked out for my sister, but she is one of the few. And how do I trust anyone?
Delilah: I can see I’ve hit a sore spot. But thank you for the compliment. I’m hardly a goddess, but I do appreciate your silky words. You’re good, really good.
I assure you they’re not just words.
It’s quiet for a few moments and I wonder if I’ve said too much. Scratch that—I KNOW I’ve said too much. My skin is heated and I feel like I’ve just exposed my soul to the devil. A beautiful she-devil who seems to know how to get under my skin, but a devil nonetheless.
Enemy, enemy, enemy, I remind myself.
The phone dings again and I reluctantly pick it up.
Delilah: You are much nicer than I realized. What if you really are a good person?
Well, I should hope I am! It’s really all I strive to be.
Delilah: Wouldn’t it be crazy if all the things we’ve always heard about each other were never true at all, and we’re actually both really good people deep down inside?
I think about that and about her father, who my father always said was the worst human he’d ever met. What if that hasn’t touched Delilah? How could it not? I shake my head and decide to put an end to this nonsense.
No one is ever all good or all bad. But our kingdoms are known enemies and I can’t help but think your father is out to destroy me. So I guess it doesn’t really matter if deep down you’re good-hearted. We will always be on opposite sides of the fence. Goodnight, Delilah. I’ll see you at the ball.
I turn the power off on my phone, but when I turn it on a few sleepless hours later, she hasn’t responded anyway.
I can’t help but regret what I said.
Chapter Seven
Jadon
Two weeks later
I haven’t spoken to Delilah since that night. I’ve started working out at night until I can hardly move…anything to keep myself from texting her again. Her lure is more than it should be, that she can be speaking to me from across the world without saying anything at all.
I will be seeing her tonight and to say I’m apprehensive about it is an understatement. I will stay as far away from her as I can. Luka and Eden will be there, so I’m hoping I’ll be distracted.
I tie an elaborate Farrow knot around my neck and smooth down my tux. I was tempted to cut my hair for the occasion, but I’m not willing to make any extra effort for the Farthings. My tux is black and my tie is gold, the colors keeping with our tradition for grand balls. It’s been years since I’ve been to anything as elaborate as this and the fact that it’s hosted at the Farthing castle has my nerves getting the better of me. I wish Father were by my side to face Farthing. He was the face of calm at all times. He knew what to say in every situation, and I’d give anything for his wisdom now. I force myself to sit and meditate in my hotel suite for a few moments before leaving.
Fifteen minutes before we’re set to leave, I meet Luka and Eden in their penthouse suite. Luka has at least a dozen guards watching over us, which feels like overkill compared to my three, but I’m grateful he has extra protection for my sister.
Eden rushes forward when she sees me, her gown swishing as she sweeps across the marble floor. She wraps her arms around me and squeezes tight.
“You look beautiful.”
“So do you. Who knew you could clean up so well?” she teases, straightening my jacket when she pulls away.
“Apparently, no one.” I grin and look over her shoulder at Luka. He pulls me into a bear hug. “You’re looking pretty decent yourself, Catano,” I tell him.
“Ah, brother, it’s good to see your face. We’ll go in and make a formidable front—the Farthings won’t know what hit them.” He pounds me on the back and nods his approval as he checks out my suit. He’s become quite the softie since marrying Eden, when he isn’t talking politics.
“Let’s not talk about hitting anyone,” Eden says, giving both Luka and me a stern look.
“If they mess with you, all bets are off,” he says, growling as he leans down and kisses her.
“Okay, that’s enough. I can’t even tell you to get a room since I’m in yours, but let’s go before this gets more awkward than it already is.” I open the door and Eden laughs, pulling away from Luka.
“I’ve always wanted to meet Princess Delilah,” she says once we’re seated in our limo.
“She’s not what I expected,” I say before I can stop myself.
“What do you mean?” she asks.
I look out the window and wish I’d kept my mouth shut. Eden is like a dog on a hunt when she tries to set me up with someone. If she catches a whiff of my interest in Delilah, she will be merciless about shutting that down. There’s no reason for her to ever know a thing—I’ve shut it all completely down myself.
“I didn’t know you’d met Delilah! When was this? What is she like?” The questions pour out of her and I level her with a look. “What?” She frowns.
“I’m sure she’ll be just as enthralled with you and your gown and your—” I wave my hand toward her hair that is done up in her finest rose curls and twists, hoping flattery will distract her from the fact that I didn’t answer any of her questions.
“Oh, you like my gown and hair?” she asks, grinning. “Why, thank you. It’s like pulling teeth to get a compliment from you.”
“I said you looked beautiful!” I laugh, rolling my eyes.
“You’d say that to anyone. You have to get specific with women, Jadon. This is why you’re still single,” she says, jabbing me in the stomach.
I jerk to the side and catch her finger before she can do it again. “Enough,” I laugh, “you’re as bad as Ava.” I sigh. “I really wish she could be here tonight too. I’d feel better if we were all together.”