The Reckless Reign (Book 3, The Culled Crown Series)

Chapter 20

The Ballroom.
Oredison Palace, Gazda.
The Commencement Ball.

I held my breath as Cohen and Larkin disappeared through the antechamber door and down the large staircase. Watching them walk, arm and arm, appearing as loving siblings and not the enemies I knew them to be, was surreal. But what was perhaps even more strange, was the paralleled memory of seeing Uri disembark the train on my first day in Gazda, all those months ago. People cheered for Larkin and Cohen now just as they'd cheered for her that day.

I was still thinking of that, still seeing Uri smile and wave in my mind, as the guard nudged me forward from behind. I managed to pick up the front of my gown before I stumbled over it, but then I was at the top of the staircase looking down on a massive sea of upturned faces. My heart sped and suddenly, it took every ounce of strength I had to keep moving.

I forced myself to walk steadily, but stairs were difficult in heels, especially when my legs were shaking uncontrollably and I couldn't even see my feet. Thankfully, I was met at the landing by a steady hand at my elbow. I'd been so preoccupied with not tripping that I hadn't seen Kai standing there, waiting.

I met his eyes and he smiled, the real sort of smile—the sort I'd always craved back in Third Corps.

"You look—" he swallowed and ducked his head closer to mine as he escorted me a few feet away to a waiting photographer. We smiled together, his arm a firm weight on my lower back, his other hand holding mine tight. Behind us, someone was announcing Heidi. Before Kai stepped away from me, he brought my hand to his mouth and kissed my knuckles. "You look amazing," he finished. "Breathtaking, truly."

I opened my mouth to say something in response, but he was already stepping past me to go to Heidi. And just like that, the moment was shattered and I remembered that he wasn't my Kai anymore. He wasn't the young man I'd fallen in love with. He was a king with another girl to fawn over.

Abandoned, I glanced around, entirely unsure what to do now that most of the attention was off of me. A few reporters stepped forward, eager to talk to me despite what Harper had said about them having a gag order.

Before they could say a word, I held up a hand and slipped into the crowd. Once I was out of sight, I walked a meandering path around the far edge of the ballroom, doing my best to locate Caine. I wanted to know where he was so I could stay the hell away from him. Halfway around the ballroom, I ran into Cohen. He seemed to be doing the same thing.

"You alright?" he asked. "You look...nervous."

He already held a glass of something that certainly wasn't water. Bubbly, not quite clear. I smiled and plucked it from his hand. Before he could stop me, I sipped it. Wine.

I made a face and shook my head. "You really know how to compliment a girl, Cohen. And I'm fine, thank you. I'm not the one drinking before the dancing has even started."

I made to hand the glass back to him, but he waved me off. I started to take another sip, questioning if I'd ever actually enjoy the taste, when he said, "You can have the rest. That is my third glass."

I nearly choked. "Third?"

He laughed. "I work quick. You attend enough of these sort of things and you learn to pre-drink. My father taught me that. It's one of the only helpful things he ever taught me, to be honest. A strong drink can make even the most dull event...interesting."

"Cohen!"

He shrugged. "What? You act like anyone here is actually paying attention to me. I'm the forgotten prince, remember? I'm the ex-heir. The one no one needs. I'm the extra. The devilishly handsome and yet somehow entirely useless spare."