Page 82 of Selection

“Slut-shaming? That’s what you’re going for here?” I sigh, but I try to stand up again now that the Omega who was behind me is standing next to her friend.

I straighten and bend over to brush the grass off my bare skin.Big mistake.

This time, both of them lunge at me, catching me off-guard and off-balance as they grab my arms and yank me forward. The ground rises up at my face fast and I yelp, but thankfully, I’ve learned how to handle this kind of situation, too.

I don’t try to stop my fall, simply tucking in my knees and rolling into it. The impact isn’t so bad.I probably only have a few scrapes and bruises.

“What the fuck is the meaning of this?” Kaz’s voice booms suddenly, his tone crisp and furious.

“Prince Kaspian,” Rachel squeaks. “It’s not what you—”

“Actually, I don’t care,” Kaz barks, his tone so rough and dangerous it makes goosebumps rise on my arms. I try to keep my face hidden, the embarrassment on it no doubt turning it ugly tomato red. I clench my fists, carving half-moons into my palms, praying for this to be over quickly so I can run back to my room and be alone.

“But, Kaspian,” the other Omega attempts.

“It’s His Royal Highness to you,” he spits. “You’re not fit to be here. Neither of you. You should be fucking ashamed of yourselves. Pack your bags and get off our grounds before I have you escorted out.”

I freeze.What? He can’t dismiss them just like that, can he?

There’s protocol and procedure. And surely, he has to check with the queen.

“Your Highness,” Rachel says imploringly, clearly trying to turn on the charm as a fake giggle escapes her. “It’s not what you think. We were just having a little chat and then Maddie fell over. You know how she is. Always so clumsy.”

She gives me a light kick with the toe of her shoe, speaking again through clenched teeth. “Isn’t that right, Maddison?”

“Get away from her.”

The two Omegas fall back a few steps as Kaz’s sure steps approach.

I look up to find him towering over me, his posture rigid and his glare positively glacial. “I am not in the business of repeating myself. Didn’t I say you were dismissed? I have no qualms about having the guards escort you out the main gates. I hear the paparazzi have been stationed there around the clock since the Trials started. I’m sure they’d love to know the reason you’ve been unceremoniously turned out. I’d be happy to share that information with them.”

I gape at him, shaking my head to show him this isn’t necessary, but the other two Omegas’ protests fall on deaf ears. As he raises an arm to signal the guards, they shut up and stalk off, and Kaspian drops down to gingerly gather me into his arms.

When I realize what he intends on doing, I frown and wiggle to get out of his grasp. “What are you doing? I’m fine. I can walk.”

“I’d rather not take any chances,” he murmurs, dark eyes on mine as he picks me up and carries me toward the palace, cradling me against his chest until his scent is everywhere and I can’t escape the things it’s doing to me. “Where does it hurt, Maddie?”

“I said I’m fine.” I sigh, but I loop my arms around his neck and rest my head against his chest anyway, wanting to soak him in for as long as I can. At least until the palace looms above and I know we can’t stay like this anymore. “Someone could see us. Just put me down.”

He ignores me completely, simply continuing to stride up the path that leads to their wing. Iamfine, but if he insists on carrying me, I’ll take my last opportunity to breathe in his scent.

As the smooth bourbon, musk, and caramel wash over me, my throat constricts, and I suddenly feel tears coming on. Since I don’t want him to know, I simply bury my head in his chest and breathe through the pain.

Kaspian carries me to his chambers and, to my surprise, sets me down gently on his bed as he goes to fetch a first-aid kit. “How are you going to treat bruises with that?”

He shrugs. “There are some scrapes too that need cleaning.”

I glance down at my knees, seeing the crisscrossing pattern of tiny cuts on the skin there along with bits of grass and dirt clinging to me, but it’s nothing I can’t brush off and be on my merry way.

He sets to inspecting every cut, every nick. “I should have gotten rid of that bitch as soon as you told me what she was. This is my fault, Maddie. I’m so sorry.”

“I’m fine, really. I’m always getting injured, especially around you guys. This is nothing to worry about.”

My attempt at a joke falls flat. Kaz doesn’t laugh. Doesn’t even smile. He kneels in front of me and opens his kit, extracting a piece of gauze and some wound cleanser. Without saying a word, he wets the gauze before gently lifting my leg and dabbing my knees.

I suck in an involuntary breath as the burn of the cleanser sears into me. His eyes snap to mine. “Sorry,” he whispers, wiping more gently.

I hold his dark gaze for a moment, seeing the concern etched into his regal features. “About the other day—”

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