Page 56 of Red King

15

Paisley

Two days later…

Jacki steps off of the scale, and I make a note of her weight.

“Take a seat on the examination table, please. I need to take your blood pressure. We’re nearly done.”

“I’m not sure why we have to go through all of this when all I need is a repeat,” she mutters. “I’ve been on birth control for years.”

“Dr. du Pont is thorough. It’s a good thing.”

“If you say so.” Jacki does as requested and sits on the examination table. “I’m sure you know by now that Arctic is the king of Mistveil?” she asks as I pick up the device.

I nod. “Yep. I heard that word got out.”

Apparently, one of the ladies saw the guard bowing outside the reception hall the night I left early, and Arctic followed me. I’m not sure which one. Only that she saw the bow and heard the guard call Arctic “Your Majesty.”

Since then, it has spread like wildfire. Everyone knows. The secret is out.

My cheeks heat just thinking about him…about Arctic. About what happened in the closet.

I want to forget about it. I wish I could, but I’m pretty sure it’s burned into my memory forever, and I hate it.

“Did you know about it?” she asks.

I nod. “Yes, the staff were all privy to the information and all of us were sworn to secrecy. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell any of you. Hold your arm out and stay relaxed.”

“Why would he want to keep such a thing a secret?” Jacki frowns, holding her arm out so that I can slip the cuff on.

“Maybe so that he would be seen as just one of the candidates and not as the king…as someone special. He didn’t want any of the Tributes to be interested in him based on his title.” I pull the cuff tight and switch on the machine. The cuff starts to fill.

“I suppose so.” She nods a few times. “I can’t believe that one of the candidates is an actual king. As in, he lives in the castle.” She widens her eyes. “He’s also really sexy.”

“You see, that’s what he was afraid of.”

Jacki makes a face. “Actually, I’m going on a date with Ash tonight. He’s cute. I must say I was apprehensive about this whole thing, but I really like the shifters now that I’ve gotten to know them. They’re sweet. Not players at all, and the most appealing thing by far is that they have no idea how gorgeous they are, hence wanting to stay on my birth control. I mean, you never know what will happen.” She bobs her brows.

“It is wise to be careful. Pregnancy happens so easily.” Unless, of course, you want to get pregnant, then it’s almost impossible.

The machine beeps, and I write down her blood pressure.

“How’s it looking?” Jacki asks.

“All good. Nothing to worry about. Well within normal range. You’re all set.”

“Have you perhaps heard...” Jacki rubs her nose, “Where Arctic is? He disappeared after word got out about him being king. He hasn’t been at any of the events since. Is he in hiding?”

“I don’t know.” I shrug. “I’m just a lowly staff member.”

“It’s just that he and Hannah really hit it off at the dinner. At least, according to Hannah. She said she really liked him and thought they got on really well. He was even flirting with her. Then he told her he’d be back in a minute and never returned. He left her standing there on the dance floor. Soon after, word got out that Arctic was the king, and you know the rest.”

It’s stupid but I feel good that he didn’t go back after what happened in the closet. I know it’s probably because he got outed as king and had nothing to do with us kissing. Still, it would have hurt if he went back to Hannah. And hurt even more if he had left with her.

“I’m sure he’ll come out of hiding soon,” I say.

“There are rumors that he is dropping out as a candidate.”

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