Page 13 of Desperately Yours

I took that to mean he’d pulled some strings on our behalf. Instead of thanking him, I glanced over the railing to the peoplewaiting below. I couldn’t spot Fitz, but I’d come to recognize the crew members who recordedRoyally Yours. At least three cameras were set up and filming, red lights blinking away. My nerves surged to life in my chest, but I learned years ago I had two choices when anxiety threatened to ruin everything. I could put it to work or let it prevail and turn me into a wreck. Stress was a sign the body was preparing for something important. It was to be used, not feared.

At least that’s what I kept telling myself.

“Who all is at this banquet? I thought it was supposed to be small.”

“Yes, well, when the queen gets a thought in her head, there’s not much to be done.” He slowed our pace to stretch out the last moments before the stairway. “The king and queen will be in attendance, of course, and your belovedFitz.” He laughed under his breath as though the name was too ridiculous. “And the other two queen-to-be-wannabes who think they’re still competition, plus one rather nosy newspaper reporter who made the list last minute. Oh, and me. I was saving the best for last.”

“Wait, what?” My calm shattered. Reporter? Another one?

“You’re surprised I’m coming?” His free hand flattened against his chest. “I’m hurt. After all we’ve been through—”

“The reporter, you dolt,” I hissed through my teeth. “Why is there a reporter? I did the interview last night. I thought I was done.”

We made it to the top of the staircase. End of the line. Bishop unhooked our arms, placed his hands on my shoulders, and stared into my eyes. “You were underground, so you have no way of knowing this, but the whole country saw the way he reacted when you fell. That video last night was old news. It and seven other personal videos were leaked within the first six hours after your rescue. They saw him dive headfirst into that hole, trying to save you. Rumors circulated around the kingdom about hisreaction to your supposed death. If that wasn’t enough, the leaked footage has you calling the Crown Prince of NolcoviaFitz. There were bound to be questions, bound to be repercussions, my dear.”

I couldn’t speak at first, too stunned by the turn of events. “But what can I say? How do I… Why would…” With every fiber of my being, I wanted to scurry back to the safety of my room and hide.

Bishop brightened. “Come then, turn on that pageant charm. It’s just another interview. When all else fails… world peace, right?” He winked, released my shoulders, and jogged down the stairs as if he were late for a train. Meanwhile, my tongue felt four sizes too big for my mouth. I was going to screw this up somehow.

Yes, I excelled at the interview portion of pageants. But that was because I practiced, I didn’t have to lie, and I never worried I might give away a guarded secret that could lead to the downfall of an entire country. In a pageant, the questions dealt with foreign policies and controversial social issues, not a decade-old friendship that wasn’t supposed to exist.

After last night, I knew in this arena no matter of prepping could save me.

I paused at the top of the stairs and drew in a deep breath. Just as I made the choice to run, Fitz moved to stand at the base of the stairs. Our eyes met. My heart practically burst in my chest. Memories of last night flooded my mind. I swear, he almost said I love you. Excitement radiated from his eyes. His body shifted from one foot to the other, as if it took all of his willpower not to sprint up the stairs to get to me.

He wanted me here.

Nothing else mattered.

Prepping couldn’t save me, but Fitz could.

“Lady Michaela Caldwell, California Province, United States of America.” The booming voice announced my entrance as I tookmy first steps. California was hardly a province, but to Nolcovia, it fit. Fitz’s Adam’s apple bobbed once as I drew closer. The cameraman ascended the stairs, searching for the perfect shot. My eyes stayed locked on Fitz. That was all that mattered.

He was all that mattered.

After all, I’d come to Nolcovia for him in the first place.

Half the winding staircase remained, and I ached to be close to him. Only days remained before he was expected to make his choice about the crown. Now, more than ever, I wondered who he would pick. Sadie was one of the people. Esmerey was noble and understood the intricacies of the crown.

And then there was the wild card American who wasn’t Nolcovian and didn’t understand royal politics, but Ididunderstand Fitz.

That had to be worth something.

As each descending step took me closer, I swore I could see it in his eyes. I wasn’t perfect, but I washis.

Whispers broke out on the floor below us. I felt like Cinderella entering the ball. The moment when everyone hated her for finally looking good. I wonder if she enjoyed their spite as much as I did.

For onceIwas the sophisticated one. I was elegant. Perfectly poised in the center spotlight. In fact, I was—falling.

My foot slipped on the step and gravity took over, dropping me right on my rear halfway down the staircase on live television.

Yeah, that felt on par for my brand.

Even worse, Bishop had called it.

Fitz

Irushed the stairs, taking two at a time, oblivious to any other directives sent my way. I reached for her hand, but amid the full skirt and multiple layers of fabric, I couldn’t find it at first. It didn’t help the predicament that she laughed uncontrollably.

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