Page 14 of American Royals II: Majesty

She glanced in all directions, making sure they were alone, before she ventured a smile in Ethan’s direction. “Sorry to drag you away from the party, but I was hoping to ask a favor.”

His brows shot upward. “Really? You’re coming tome,after—”

“I don’t like it either,” she interrupted, before he could say it out loud. “I just…I don’t have anyone else.”

Ethan crossed his arms warily. “What do you want, Daphne?”

“I need you to keep Nina Gonzalez as far from Jefferson as possible.”

She saw him tense at her words and hurried to elaborate. “It shouldn’t be difficult; you both live on the same campus. Can’t you help me get her out of the picture?”

Ethan paled. “You can’t seriously mean—after Himari—”

“I’m not saying you shouldhurther!” Daphne hissed. She hated what she’d done to Himari Mariko: her best friend, who’d been in a coma since last June. “I just want you to spend a little more time with her,” Daphne explained. “Keep tabs on what she’s up to.”

Ethan’s voice was flat. “I see. You’re asking me to sideline Nina while you try to get Jeff back.”

Daphne nodded. “She’s Samantha’s best friend; she’s going to keep showing up at royal events. I need you to distract her.”

She’d forgotten what a relief it was, talking with Ethan. There was no one else with whom she could speak such blunt, unadorned truths. Being with him felt like taking off her shoes after a long and painful night of standing.

“I’m curious,” Ethan said sarcastically. “When you came up with this plan, how exactly did you think I was going todistractNina?”

Daphne bristled at his tone. “Invite her to some parties, join her study group,flirtwith her for all I care. The important thing is that she stays far from the palace, okay?”

Ethan’s eyes flashed. “Shocking, I know, but I doubt Nina would be interested in me.”

“Thenmakeher interested! Come on, it should be easy. Don’t you remember what Nina was like on vacation? All she ever did wasread.I’m sure she’d respond to some big romantic gesture.” Daphne paused, trying to remember everything she knew about Samantha’s best friend. “She’s always dreamed of visiting Venice. She collects M&M’s from foreign countries. She works in alibrary,for god’s sake.”

Daphne took a step closer, close enough that she could have kissed Ethan in half a heartbeat. He stiffened as she rose on tiptoe to whisper in his ear.

“Unless, of course, you think it’s too much of a challenge.”

He drew back, shaking his head. “Sorry, you can’t bait me into this one.”

Heat flooded her face, but before she could argue, he’d caught her hands in his.

“Forget Nina. ForgetJeff,” he said roughly. “Daphne—you and I have been running these circles around each other for years. Aren’t you ready to quit pretending?”

“I’m not pretending anything.” The words came out in a whisper.

“Let’s do this, you and me. For real this time.” And with that, he leaned down to kiss her.

Daphne had known, when she’d dragged Ethan out into the hallway, that something might happen between them. But she hadn’t bargained on this—this eager, treacherous rush of feeling that made her press her body forward, her arms darting up to circle his neck. She felt like she’d been on a torturous low simmer for months, and now she was finally alive again.

Some dazed part of her mind imagined saying yes. Giving up on Jefferson, giving in to this gravitational pull between her and Ethan. That world seemed to momentarily exist, as insubstantial and iridescent as a soap bubble, before it vanished.

Daphne tore herself away and stumbled back, adjusting the straps of her dress. There was a long, weighted silence.

“Daphne,” Ethan said at last. “I can’t wait for you forever.”

“I never asked you to wait for me,” she snapped.

Something like hurt flickered over his face, but it quickly disappeared, replaced by his usual indifference.

“Right. Instead you asked me tospyon Nina, so you could start dating my best friend again.” Ethan turned away. “This time, you’ll have to find someone else to do your dirty work.”

“I’ll make it worth your while!”