Page 56 of Tall, Royal and Grumpy

“That’s not true,” Kai grumbled, tugging at his ear.

Fay and I chuckled, but we were interrupted by a woman’s husky voice. “I thought I’d find you lingering here.”

I whipped around and stilled.

The woman was stunning. Tall and slim like a model and wrapped in a sandy-coloured dress, with distinct red eyes, but her long, straight hair was a deep brown, suggesting she was only half Crimson Cast. She looked oddly familiar.

“What are you doing here?” Fay spat viciously.

“I was invited like everyone else, Fay. You might recall that my dad won the council leadership elections in Finlark this September gone.” She sighed. “Oh, relax Fay. I’m allowed to say hi to my ex-fiancé after all these years, aren’t I?”

And then it hit me.

Meg. She was Meg Fletcher. Kai’s ex-fiancée.

My gaze went to Kai next to me. He was frozen in place, his face painfully pale. My insides twisted in discomfort, caution ringing loud and clear.

I stood tall and moved closer to Kai, pressing my arm to his in silent support. Meg’s eyes travelled over me, and she smiled vacantly. “Hi,” she said, seemingly harmlessly.

“Hi,” I replied, and that was it. She acted as if I didn’t exist after that. All the hatred rolling off her in thick waves was directed solely at Kai.

“You’re not going to say hi to me?” she asked him, her tone sharp.

“No,” Kai rasped quietly. “I’m not.”

Lasers beamed from her irises. “Wow. You’ve grown an attitude since we last spoke, haven’t you?” She cocked her head. “What happened to the sweet boy who was in love with me?”

My hands balled to fists as vexation churned inside me.

I didn’t instantly dislike very many people, but I hated her. I hated the way she was patronising Kai.

“He opened his eyes,” he said, his tone firmer this time.

Meg chuckled, elegantly arching a brow. “You’re still as cute as ever.”

I felt Kai shift against me. “Leave.”

Colour touched Meg’s pale cheeks, but she quickly hid her surprise behind a sickly-sweet smile. “At least give me a chance to catch up with you. I want to know how the Perfect Prince has been doing.”

“No,” Kai bit out. “Leave. Now.”

It was disconcerting how quickly her smile dropped and was replaced with flames of loathing. She opened her mouth, but Fay stepped forward. “I think it’s time you left. Or we’ll have your father escort you out in front of everyone.”

Her demeanour changed again, and it was as if someone else was controlling her with a flick of a switch. She gave a big, over-the-top smile. “Oh, there’s no need to get Dad involved, I’m going.” She waved her hand around. “I’m too busy to attend any of the other events with him, so this was my only chance to see how you were doing. I’m glad to see you’re doing well, Kai. Until next time.”

Meg didn’t bother bowing, just fluttered her fingers and strut away straight for the main entrance door, leaving behind a bleak tension.

“Fuck,” Fay hissed, running a hand over his hair. “What was her father thinking, bringing her with him here? Is he mad?”

I faced Kai, searching the hollowness that painted his face. “Are you okay?”

He nodded, barely. “Hmm.”

He was lying. He wasn’t okay.

But he was a prince, and we were in public. He had no choice but to pretend he was.

And neither did I.

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