Chapter 86

Pierce was already in the garden by the time Kit was dressed and had tamed her hair and made it outside. Many of the other Representatives were also out and about. Some were playing a game of slingball. They’d have to play on their own without her as referee this time. Remembering the last match made her think of Jecob. She’d meant to go by the infirmary and check on him more times than she could count, but she wasn’t sure he’d even want her to see him like this, now that he had lost his manhood.

She pushed those thoughts aside as Pierce rose to meet her. His blond hair was the lightest of all of the Representatives. He wasn’t much taller than her, and though he was muscular, his biceps didn’t bulge against his white shirt the way that many of the others did. She had a fondness for him, though. He was always forthcoming with information, and she’d known him longer than she’d known any of the other Representatives, save Eli, of course, and she’d met Cassius the same night she met Pierce, at the ball at the beginning of her Exploration. How ridiculous she’d been for not inviting the former into her chambers immediately.

The man from Metfirth still had her puzzled. He was good enough looking, but there was something about him that Kit wasn’t quite certain of. She’d considered asking him into her chambers a few times but had thus far decided to go another way. She had a feeling it would happen eventually, maybe even that very night if his information was particularly useful. Thoughts of Jate lingered, though. She usually liked to take at least a one night break between men, particularly after a new one. Even though it was perfectly acceptable to be with multiple men in the same day, she always felt a little strange about it.

“Princess Katrinetta, you look lovely today,” Pierce said as he opened his arms wide for her. She leaned in and gave him a quick hug, feeling out of place as she did it.

“Thank you. How are you? Did you get enough rest?” She smoothed out her long, flowing lavender skirt and had a seat on the marble bench. He sat down beside her, brushing back his hair from his eyes.

“I did, thank you. It was quite the celebration, though, wasn’t it? The queen certainly outdid herself. I wonder how she will ever top it.”

“She’ll find a way,” Kit muttered, convinced her mother would, though she had no idea how. “Hopefully, we can go back to dinner before the ball from now on.”

“Yes, I agree it was a bit tricky, balancing one’s food while trying to dance.” Pierce laughed. It was a high pitched sort of a laugh, a bit unbecoming. Kit did her best not to make a face at him. “Did you rest well, Princess?”

She thought it was an odd question since he certainly knew she hadn’t slept alone. Was he digging for information about Jate or just trying to be polite ? “I did,” she nodded. “Well into the late morning hours.”

“I’m sure you were quite tired after all of the... festivities.”

That remark certainly wasn’t strictly about the dance. She ignored it. “You mentioned last night that you had something to tell me?”

“Yes, of course,” he replied as if he had forgotten that’s why he’d asked to meet her here. “It’s probably not as important as I initially thought, but it’s still something I thought you should know.”

“What is it?” He seemed to be stalling. She began to think he was just using this as an excuse to get her alone.

Pierce cleared his throat and looked around. There was no one nearby, save her two guards who were at last a hundred yards in front of them on the outside of the garden gates. “It’s only... I have heard a rumor that your mother sent for a new lady for you, one from Eastbury, and she should be here in just a few days.”

Kit was confused; she stared at him for a moment. “And?” was about all she could think of to ask.

“She’s already a noblewoman, so you needn’t worry that she may be using her position with you to gain an appointment, like that awful Blankka.”

The princess’s eyes went wide. While she shouldn’t have been surprised that Pierce already knew about Blankka, that had just happened a few hours before she spoke to him at the ball the night before. How had he ascertained that information already? Was it just common knowledge that Blankka was using Kit? But then... Pierce seemed to know a lot of information before Kit did. “Is there another reason I should be concerned?”

“I’m not for certain,” he replied, leaning in closer to her and lowering his voice. Kit caught the scent of garlic on his breath and wondered what he’d had for his midday meal. She tried not to let it be a distraction, “but I have heard that your mother said something about the woman, that she was a trusted ally.”

Kit pulled back slightly, for more reason than just his breath. “A trusted ally for whom? The queen?”

He nodded slowly.

“And you think that I should be concerned about this because she can’t possibly be a trusted ally for both of us?”

He shrugged. “It just makes sense to me that, if your mother was using Blankka as a spy, she would replace her with someone else who would clearly show more loyalty to the queen than to you, my princess, that’s all.”

Kit tilted her head to the side and took him in for a moment before shifting so that she was looking straight ahead. She noted a beautiful azure butterfly fluttering by, a falling leaf, the orange blooms of a rare daffodil, her guards at the gate, standing perfectly still, and then turned back to Pierce. “Your mother, Lady Enora, has left, hasn’t she? Didn’t she leave some time ago?”

“Uh, yes,” he replied, his forehead crinkled. “She left right after the initial ball. I’m not sure why you ask.”

Kit let out a sigh, trying not to sound rude. “No reason. It’s just... the information you provided me with before seemed... more useful, that’s all. Pierce, I do appreciate the fact that you are very good at gathering news, but if I am honest, I would’ve been suspect of this woman anyway, particularly if my mother appointed her so quickly and I have had no say in her selection. So, while I thank you for letting me know, I don’t see what the fuss is all about, that’s all.”

His blue eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Kit thought he might actually have a tear or two forming in them. “Forgive me, Princess. I didn’t mean to waste your time. I only thought you should be leery of her, that’s all. I do have other sources. I can see if there’s more. You also know that your mother is not at all happy about Eliason, don’t you? That she would’ve gone to great lengths to prevent this from happening if it hadn’t been for the council? Now, she’ll have to find another way to keep you from Rooming him.”

“Yes, I am aware of my mother’s opinion of my commander,” Kit nodded, thinking he was grasping at straws now. “But if you should hear anything else about that particular topic, I would be interested in hearing it.”

“Some of the others were saying last night that the entire Choosing is all but over now, that there isn’t any way that you’ll end up selecting anyone other than him in the end.”

That caught her attention. Kit’s mouth dropped open. “Who said that?” she asked.

Pierce swallowed hard, like he wished he could take it back. “I’m not exactly sure who made the initial statement, but a lot of the other Representatives were saying they thought their chances were over.”

Heat boiled up inside of Kit, and she clutched both of her hands into fists. “Whoever said that can go ahead and pack his bags! If he thinks that the entry of one unexpected Representative means I can’t conduct a fair Choosing then....”

“Forgive me for upsetting you, Princess.” Pierce placed his arm around her shoulders. “It was never my intention. I just thought... that is... surely you must know the men think he has an unfair advantage. He’s known you for so long, and it’s become quite clear you’re fond of him.”

“I am fond of him,” she admitted, relaxing her fingers slightly as she shifted so that she was almost facing Pierce. “I am also fond of Cassius... and Reeve... and Jate... and Landon... and you. I am fond of many of the Representatives, Pierce.” She wondered if she should’ve included the man sitting next to her in that list because presently she wasn’t fond of him at all. But then, it wasn’t his fault that the other men had been so negative. He was merely the messenger. “Please feel free to tell the others they needn’t despair. This Choosing is far from over. Why, I’ve only Roomed one Representative, and there are six more choices to be made.”

“Yes, but in the end....”

She cut him off. “We are nowhere near the end, Pierce.”

He cleared his throat, ran a hand through his hair, and found a weak smile. “Yes, of course, Your Majesty. I understand. Again, forgive me for being the bearer of bad news.”

The look on his face was enough to melt away the last shreds of anger. “Oh, Pierce, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to take it out on you. This is all so... overwhelming.”

Pierce lifted his hand and rested it on her shoulder. “I can only imagine, Kit,” he replied softly. She wondered when she’d given him permission to call her that but decided it was okay. “I’d hoped to make the situation better for you, but I’m afraid I’ve only made it worse.”

“No, you haven’t. You’ve been very helpful. Thank you for always looking out for me.”

“It’s the least I can do,” he replied, sliding closer to her. “You are the most beautiful, wonderful, intoxicating woman in all the world. I would give anything to have the opportunity to pleasure you, to be with you, to serve you in any capacity you may wish.”

His comments were quite foreword, and Kit parted her lips to let him know that, but before she got a word out, he thrust his tongue into her mouth. The taste of garlic was even more overwhelming than the pressure she was feeling. The kiss was sloppy, and when he pulled away, Kit felt nothing like the butterflies that had consumed her when the other Representatives had kissed her for the first time.

Still, it occurred to her that he could be useful to her. She forced a smile to her face. “Thank you, Pierce. I shall see you soon.”

He seemed to want more, but at her dismissive words, he bowed his head, and pulled himself up off of the bench. He stopped near the gate, turned back, and gave her a little wave. Kit managed to lift her hand, wishing she had some water to rinse her mouth out. Once he was gone, she breathed a sigh of relief, and leaned back slightly on the bench. She meant to get up and follow him out of the garden at a safe enough distance she wouldn’t have to speak to him again so soon, but as she pondered what he’d said, a familiar scent wafted her direction on the breeze, and before she even turned her head, she realized she was not alone.