Page 106 of King

A crowd starts to gather at the front of the venue. A red carpet leading to the open front doors. Georgina’s at the front of the crowd in a sheer blue number, glittering mask in her hand. She points towards something in front of the limo as the entire crowd starts to cheer. Damien notices too and hits the button for the privacy screen.

A large lit up carriage sits in front of us and I can make out what looks like…horses? I crack the window to hear the commotion and I get wind of mutters and whispers.

“It’s Prince Xavier. He flew in from Denmark this morning.”

“Her dress was flown in from Paris.”

Lea appears in front of the limo, walking up the red carpet with a dress fit for the Venice Carnival. It’s fluffy, pink and whimsical, her mask matching her outfit. Prince Xavier looks like someone from a Disney movie. Regal. Poise. A suit that looks more like a soldier's. There's a resemblance to Damien but he’s actually smiling.

“Ah, perfect.” Damien holds out his hand. “Ready to topple her highness?”

So this is what he had in mind.

I smirk, putting black-polished fingers in his hand. “Ready.”

Damien pushes the door of the limo open as Lea and Xavier reach the middle of the carpet. More whispers erupt as Damien holds out his hand. I take it, Lea turning around to see what all the other fuss is about.

Her jaw goes slack.

Damien helps me out of the limo and Lea already looks super thrown off, but even I'm not prepared for what happens next. Damien wraps me in his arms, dipping me down low. Placing his hands around my waist, he plants a kiss on my lips and I feel like I’m in a romance movie.

The whispers get louder and there’s even some hoot and hollers from the crowd around us.

“Really, Damien?” Lea looks like she’s seeing red when I'm upright again. “Making it official with the slut from the Grove? How much did you pay her for tonight? Is a happy ending included?" Prince Xavier's perfect face contorts, Lea's hands in fists.

Damien juts out his arm and I take it as he approaches them. “You mean not as much as you paid for Prince Ken over here?” he asks. “Face it, Lea. You’re not Queen B anymore. No matter who’s cock you suck.”

“Damien…” her voice cracks when she says his name like she's backing down. Pleading for mercy.

He smirks.

The whispers follow us as we make our way inside the venue, the crowd moving with us. That means Lea’s left outside to take in her grand entrance all on her own.

Once inside, my eyes dance around the extravagant decorations. If this is what they do for seasonal dances, I can't imagine what they'll do for prom.

Feathers and ribbons hang from the ceiling, two giant masks at the front near the DJ booth. Gold, silver and purple balloons hang in every nook, a display of them on the ceiling. Everyone looks ready for a photoshoot, some students shuffling about the dancefloor.

“Well, damn!” Nate approaches us, looking incredible in a purple velvet suit. Carlos is next to him in a black one and they both look great together. He pokes out his hand and bows his head when he gets in front of me. “Permission to approach, my queen.”

“Permission granted.” I curtsy.

Damien leans in, his lips grazing my cheek as he goes to my ear. “I’m going to check on the guys. I’ll let you catch up.” I watch as he walks away, girls eyeing him with envy as he does.

“Really though.” Nate leans in for a hug, his coils straightened and curled at the top. “Word has it you’re the new Queen B.”

I wave him off when we let go before hugging Carlos. “Oh, whatever. I’m not after anything. I only want peace until I graduate.”

“Peace while boinking the King of Eden?” Carlos asks.

“Yeah babe, she’s delusional,” Nate says.

“I’m not into this school hierarchy bullshit. Damien knows that. So things might change around here.” I shrug. Carlos and Nate look at each other before they burst into laughter. My shoulders fall. “What?”

“This is Damien King we’re talking about right?” Nate asks. “I mean he’s a hot piece of ass, but honey, don’t kid yourself."

“Jo?” I’m still digesting Nate’s words when I hear Allie’s voice behind me. I turn around to see her in a flowy purple gown, matching the streaks in her hair. She has a gold mask in her hand but she hasn't bothered with makeup. “Are you back? I heard you went to The Grove.”

“And give these guys the satisfaction?” I smile at her.

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