Chapter 64

Dinner had been as near a disaster as anything associated with the Choosing to date, except for, of course, Jecob’s trial, and by the time she was done and headed to her chambers, Kit was fighting tears. Not only did her mother spend the entire evening belittling her and questioning every choice she made (“Are you sure you need more gravy, Princess? Perhaps you’ve had enough. What? Another pastry for dessert?”) Cassius looked distraught. She could absolutely sympathize with his feelings, but when she tried to catch his eye, and he wouldn’t look directly at her, it occurred to Kit, not for the first time, that the trouble with choosing seven men is that six of them may feel unattended to. Despite Cassius’s assurance earlier that he understood, it still worried Kit. So did the fact that she had no idea how she would ever manage to choose just one man in the end and didn’t think it was possible. Granted, all of the men knew they would have to share her, but the last thing she wanted was to hurt any of them. She’d need to find time to speak to Cassius again soon, to make sure he was certain of her feelings for him.

The thought that had struck a chord and left her fighting back tears was the idea that she was meant to break these men’s hearts. Certainly, there were those present who couldn’t care less, who would’ve chosen to stay home, given the opportunity to do so, but not many. There were others who would’ve likely agreed to go back now, if she was allowed to make cuts. But for the most part, these men were here because they wanted to be the duke, and many of them even wanted to be with her. So in the end, if she did what she was supposed to do, only one man could walk away happy. Suddenly, it became clear to her why so many considered this a contest and herself a prize to be won, even if she didn’t like to think of it in that light. However, since she thought it would be impossible to choose just one Representative, she began to contemplate the possibility of changing the rules somehow. She had no idea how that could ever be possible. That wouldn’t stop her from thinking on it.

She headed to her own room first, tearing at her tiara and other jewels as she went. Her ladies hadn’t been present at dinner, and she was happy for it because they would’ve had trouble keeping their tongues still through some of her mother’s more offensive comments. While history and common sense would tell her that her mother’s disposition would likely change by morning, it did nothing for how Kit was feeling presently. Her embarrassment mingled with sadness until she found herself on the edge of anger, and when her beaded necklace shattered all over the floor, spilling tiny handcrafted spheres into every nook and cranny and under all of the furniture, she let fly enough curse words to turn a grown man’s face red.

“Katrinetta? Whatever is the matter?” Isla asked, ignoring the beads and coming straight to the princess.

“It’s nothing,” Kit said, trying to regain control of herself. “Only a typical day in the life of my mother’s daughter.”

Blankka was on her knees gathering up as many of the beads as she could find, but she paused at Kit’s words, and the princess narrowed her eyes at the girl. Now was not a good time for Blankka to show her second face.

“Here, let us help you,” Avinia insisted, unhooking the row of fasteners all down the length of Kit’s white and pink floral gown. “You wouldn’t want to tear this one.”

“I wouldn’t care,” Kit replied, but it wasn’t true. She was fond of the gown. The flowers were a light pink and reminded her of some that grew in her garden.

With the help of her ladies, she was soon in her dressing gown and slippers, and that would do for a quick walk down the hallway. She didn’t want anything complicated to get in the way, and she hoped Reeve was in a satisfying mood, because if he wasn’t, she would find someone who was.

The duchesses unpinned her hair from its complicated style but then pulled it back up again, securing it with only a clip which Kit could undo at any moment should she choose to. “Do be careful with him,” Avinia warned as Kit decided she was presentable. “He seems a bit... fragile.”

Kit had gotten the same impression but hoped that wasn’t the case. She needed someone who could handle her aggression tonight.

“Would you like us to accompany you down the hall?” Isla asked as Kit headed for the door.

“No, thank you. I can manage.” Kit paused by the door and turned to smile at them, hoping she could ease their worries a bit, but she was certain it looked more like a snarl than a kindness, so she spun on her heel and headed out into the hallway.

The same guards that had escorted her from dinner were waiting, somehow knowing of her plans. Kit didn’t question that, though. Eli had trained his men well, and since he always knew exactly where she was, she supposed Galter must know in his absence. The other room was only a few doors down. When they arrived, one of them opened the door for her. “Thank you, gentlemen.” They both nodded, and Kit stepped inside.

A lamp was lit in the interior room, but Reeve was not there. She assumed one of her guards must’ve prepared the room so that she wouldn’t be walking into the darkness, either that or one of her ladies had. The curtains were parted slightly, and a sliver of moonbeam illuminated the pillows. Deciding she was done with anything that would waste her time, Kit tore down the blankets and sheets, went to the drawer, pulled out a fresh sheath and the special concoction Armant had prepared for both lubrication and eradication of anything that might get through the barrier, and set them both on the table by the bed.

A light wrapping on the door alerted her that the moment had come. “Yes?” she called. “Come in.”

Reeve stepped through into the antechamber, a worried expression on his face. She hadn’t paid too much attention to him at dinner, mostly because her mother had seated him far away so that it was nearly impossible to see him, but she had noted he looked anxious the few times she’d caught a glimpse of him before and after the meal. Now, he wiped at his brow, stepping into the main chamber, still dressed in the finery he’d worn to dinner.

“Are you all right?” Kit asked, looking him up and down.

“Yes, thank you, Princess. It’s only....”

Kit didn’t need to hear more. She pushed past him, closing the door and latching it. She turned back around to see Reeve staring at her in confusion, but she didn’t intend to give him time to declare he was having second thoughts. Kit rushed him, placing her hands on the back of his neck and pulling him down into a passionate kiss.