Chatper 373


    Chapter 0373


    Iplied, unwilling to be skewered. She hid the knife against my side as she ushered me toward the


    door. I looked back but none of the royal family was to be seen. Neither was Veronica.


    I maybe could have caught Susie’s attention, if I called out or gged her down. She was valiantly


    trying to get the silly dances going again. But her limited knowledge of the current situation might cause


    her to ce herself into more danger than she would realize.


    I couldn’t risk her. Jane wouldn’t hesitate to hurt Susie, if Jane’s attack on Nichs was any indication.


    I wished more than anything that Nichs would appear. I could meet his eyes, and even across the


    room, he would know what was wrong.


    But he had his hands full with Joyce. Another of Jane’s ns to upset the royal family. And me.


    Jane had meant for the consequences to be worse than they seemed like they were going to be. But


    even if her full n failed, she had still managed to get my most stalwart protector as far from me as


    possible.


    I was on my own now. Either death or salvation… it was all in my hands now. And my hands alone.


    Jane forced me out onto the balcony. There were other groups and couples there,ughing and


    chatting. A couple was pointing up at the stars.


    So many witnesses.


    Jane kept the knife digging into my side, a warning not to speak. She continued dragging me further


    down the balcony, until we reached a more secluded area on the other side of a wall. None of the other


    guests could see us anymore. And as the loud music began again, I doubted they could hear us either.


    “Well, we’re here,” I said. “We’re isted. Alone. Now will you tell me just what your n was?”


    If I could get her talking… If I could keep her talking…


    “What did you think the n was, dumbass?” Jane snarled. “That idiot Joyce was supposed to


    humiliate you. But those two guard dogs of yours always seem to be circling. At least, I could cast a


    stain upon the royal family. Scandal after scandal will not be perceived well by the public.”


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    “They’ll recover,” I said. “The people still believe in them.”


    “God, you are so na?ve,” Jane said. “There are cracks in the foundation, Piper. Soon the entire thing is


    going to fall down. Do you understand? They are weak. And you only add to their weakness. I see it,


    and the people are starting to wake up to it too.”


    “They aren’t weak,” I said. The King and Queen I had lukewarm feelings for, but Nichs wasn’t like


    them. He was strong and brave, and had the people’s best interests in mind. And if he believed in his


    parents‘ strengths and abilities, then I would too.


    “You mean Nichs isn’t weak,” Jane said. “He doesn’t run this kingdom, Piper. And even if he did…


    he might be the worst of them all.”


    “You don’t know what you are talking about,” I snapped.


    “Of course, I do. How strong could that asshole be? He fell for you. The man has no imagination.”


    Odd. “You sound jealous.”


    At the usation, her face crumpled up in rage. “Why should you be the one to find love while I am the


    one who has worked the hardest and suffered the most?!


    It’s unfair!”


    Oh. She was jealous. But then, I guess I knew that. She saw me as some kind of golden child, doted


    upon while she was cast aside.


    That wasn’t true, not how I remembered it.


    “Jane…”


    “No. I’m doing talking. I wanted to humiliate you.” She shed the knife under the moonlight. “But if I


    can’t do that, I’ll just kill you.”