Chapter l245

Chapter 0245

“You can’t,” I said. “He’s one of the benefactors.”

“To hell with it. With all of it. If it keeps you safe, I’ll drag him from the grounds myself.”

“And then what? The Luna brings him back. Or the King? And you are on the outs with them. There’s

nothing you can do, Nicholas,” I said.

“But, Piper.”

I shook my head. “Nothing…”

He stepped closer to me. He couldn’t hold me here, with so many eyes on us, but with the way his hand

slid around my arm, I could tell he wanted to.

“You’re trembling,” he whispered.

I closed my eyes and tried to gather myself. He was right. I’d been shaken to my core and my whole

b*dy felt like it was trying to clatter apart.

“Let me take you back to your room,” Nicholas said.

“I can’t give up.”

“Just for tonight,” he said.

God, it was tempting. To just throw in the towel for now. Regather myself. And try again tomorrow. And

if Nicholas was offering to go with me? If I could feel the comfort of his embrace away from prying eyes?

I opened my mouth to agree, only to close it immediately as Lilliana and Olivia came into earshot. Their

greedy gazes pivoted directly to Nicholas. Olivia slid her way directly between Nicolas and me. I had to

step back to accommodate her, or she likely would have pushed me over.

Lilliana at least, stepped around Elva without endangering her. Although that could have been because

of how tightly Nicholas was holding her hand.

“We were looking for you Prince Nicholas,” Olivia said. “There is a charming benefactor who I’m sure you

wouldn’t mind speaking with on my behalf.”

“Or mine,” Lilliana said, inching closer. Elva stepped into her path every time she tried to move closer to

Nicholas. When Nicholas turned his attention to Olivia, Lilliana openly glared at Elva. When Nicholas

glanced back, she changed her expression to her usual delicate grace.

What a phony.

“Come on, Elva,” I said and opened my arms.

“But…” She looked up at Lilliana again.

Poor kid. There was nothing we could do. Nicholas had to spend time with other people. That was the

nature of the competition.

“Come now, honey,” I said.

Elva pouted but she obliged. Nicholas released her hand and she walked into my waiting arms. I lifted

her

up against me, and she rested her head against my shoulder.

“Are you coming, Prince Nicholas?” Olivia said, all smiling confidence. She was beautiful in a low–cut

purple velvet gown. “We really shouldn’t keep my benefactor waiting.”

“Or mine,” Lilliana said, chiming in.

“Yes. We’ll go soon, but first I must

“Piper’s fine. Aren’t you, Piper?” Olivia asked.

“I’m sure Julian is around here somewhere,” Lilliana said with false sweetness. “I’m sure he’d love to

spend time with you.”

Julian, as I could see, was on the other side of the room, spending his hour with Tiffany, as the three of

us had previously agreed on. I wasn’t about to steal him away now.

Especially when the one I wanted was Nicholas himself.

But I couldn’t have him either.

“I’m sorry, Piper,” Nicholas said.

Olivia laced her arm through one of his. Lilliana hooked her arm around his on the other side.

“It’s fine,” I said. “I understand.”

And I did understand. Though that didn’t make it easier to watch him walk away. A pang of loneliness

struck through my chest.

Elva yawned. She was falling asleep on my shoulder. I didn’t want to jostle her too much, so I just stood

there, unsure where to go. What to do.

On the other side of the dance floor, Terry caught my eye. Holding my gaze, he lifted his drink as if

saluting me.