Pushed up against a wall with the rest of the Selected makes me squirm. I feel as every inch of me in being judged. The handsome group of guards at the opposite side of the ballroom does not relieve me of any stress either. The men watch us with grins, and some girls manage a flirtatious wink when Miss Jenkins isn't looking.

"Lady Megan with Officer Wesmont. Lady Jesabelle with Officer Mooney. Lady Erica with Officer Heffron. Lady London with Officer Killian. Lady Corrine with Officer Birming..." I tune out the rest of her list and relax at the sound of Hot Ab's name.

Officer Birming was nice when I first ran into him (literally) and I am grateful that I will dance with him instead of some unruly fellow. A few of the men could be mistaken to going into battle instead of the dance floor.

After Miss Jenkins announces the partners, we're allowed to greet one another. Girls stumble about, looking for their Officer as I walk straight to Officer Birming, both of our smiles widening. He's more put together than the last time I saw him - blond hair combed and pushed out of his face, crisp uniform, and not a drop of sweat slides down his face.

"Officer Birming, how do you do?" I curtsy as he bows.

"I am positively wonderful today, thank you Lady Corrine. I was a bit nervous on dancing earlier, but I feel somehow more prepared with you." My cheeks flush at this statement. I hope it was harmless, having Hunter fire him because of innocent flirting would be the last thing I want.

"Thank you, Sir. But you are aware of my limitations here, such statements cannot be made with such ease."

"Of course, Lady Corrine. I meant no disrespect, I just meant to say that I know that you would never desperately flirt with me the way the other Selected might. Some of the girls have been eyeing us guards since the moment they strolled into the ballroom." He explains, leaving me to feel slightly relieved.

"Oh. Good." Is all I can manage, not really sure if that is the answer I want or not. I don't see Hunter attempting to spend any time with me, so why not take a chance? Because it's against the rules. A little voice rings in my head and I sigh. Any type of interaction could be perceived as romantic, I don't want to risk it.

"Good." He nods, awkwardly as the music starts to play.

Girls start to dance - or really, sway strangely - to the tempo; each one trying to accomplish the simple waltz we learned shortly before this. Most girls got a gist of dance, but the one that just can't is the one I need to dance the most. Bianca struggles desperately at remembering the steps and the rhythm. It's only another skill of mine that she'll hold against me.

"Let's dance." I say quietly, signaling for Officer Birming to offer me his hand.

"Fine."

"Okay."

Tension seeps from us. Our conversation making it painful to just be near each other. Any thoughts of a romance between the two of us has warranted awkward separation. Be both dance gracefully, but the extra five inches of distance compared to normal dance partners makes it a rather difficult task.

"Lady Corrine, I'm sure you can do much better than that. Together!" Miss Jenkins scolds but suddenly turns eerily quiet.

"May I cut in?" A deep voice that I know too well asks, tapping on Officer Birming's arm.

Hunter locks us together, much closer than necessary, and begins sweeping me across the ballroom floor. It reminds me of the first night we met. Him dancing with me as I glared at him, my anger too impossible to contain.

"Cor, how have you been?" This simple question makes steam come out of my ears.

"How have I been? I don't know. My friend hates me because of my status, you act like you love me and then flirt with all of these other harlots, and I can barely stand to think that I have to see my mother in a week and a half. How do you think I've been?" I growl into his ear.

"I had no idea..."

"What? That I would be angry with you? What do you expect? That you can go around on your merry way and then once you're done with all of your other women, you then can turn around and kiss the living daylights out of me?" My temper rises uncontrollably.

"No, of course not! First of all, I am also training for a job that is ruling the nation. I have meetings, I am obligated to go to certain events, I have work to do. Second of all, I have relationships with more girls than just you. This is the Selection. This is my only chance to meet women, fall in love, and then I have to marry one of you and hope I chose correctly. I do love you, Corrine. But you have to understand that this is the only time I will ever get a chance to meet a girl. I have to marry one of you; it cannot be a decision taken lightly." He groans, frustrated with me.

"So we just wait around here like sitting ducks? I cannot allow myself to be one of your 35 mistresses! I feel like nothing more than a cheap whore off the streets." I complain, hoping my feelings will strike Hunter in some way.

"You aren't! But I have one shot. Do you know how stressful that is? I don't want to leave any stone unturned. I need to look at all of my options, not just the one who's mother weaseled her way into the competition." That's it.

Anger seethes through my veins. I can not control my hand as it winds backwards, nor when it flings toward him. I can not help it that my hand connects with Hunter's cheek with a satisfyingly loud smack.

"Don't you ever speak to me that way again!" I shout as I back myself away.

I don't look back as I run though the ballroom and past the other girls. I realize that my room is exactly where he'll look for me, so halfway to my chambers, I retreat towards a side set of stairs. Before I realize where I am heading, I find myself in front of Storm.

"Come on girl." I state as I strap her into her saddle.

With fury still pulsing in my system, I command Storm to run as fast as she is able. Wind stings my cheeks and the water in my eyes forms tears from the brisk breeze. I figure that riding out in the open is too easy to be spotted, so I direct Storm into the woods surrounding the Palace. It will be nearly impossible for them to find me here.

The woods seemed like a wonderful idea in the beginning. But little did I know, animals live out here, there is no warm bed to flop onto, and no furnace to keep warm. Late winter is still winter. Even Angeles can get chilling in the frozen season.

"It's getting dark." I say to no one.

I look at Storm and she neighs impatiently. I stroke her neck softly to calm her but it doesn't seem to do anything. Dismounting her, I grab ahold of her reigns and shush her.

"What are you so afraid of?" I ask her, petting her mane.

A crack of a branch causes me to still.

"Maybe a stranger?" A gravely voice hisses from behind me.

"Who are you and what do you want?" My voice shakes and I blink slowly, wishing I were enjoying dinner.

"What I want? Democracy. Who I am? Call me Jones." The man appears in the corner of my eye before my vision starts to blur.

"No..." I groan weakly as darkness consumes me.

~~~

I wake to darkness. And an itchy face. From what I can tell, I'm gagged, bound, and bagged. All for Jones and his phrase 'democracy'. In all of my years of schooling, we never really got around to what to do when getting abducted. For once, I am at a real loss as what I should do.

"What'll we do wit' 'er, Jones?" A man with a strange accent mumbles, obviously drunk.

"Trade her for our freedom. Our country. I want the old world back, and a monarchy will get us nowhere." Jones explains, unaware that I am awake.

"Why 'er? Princy's got many other girls, why not work wit' our mole?" Underneath my bagged head, my brow furrows. Who could possibly be the spy in the palace?

"She's not nearly as liked by the Prince as she is. Besides, this bitch has got money. Her father is the man who's put us in jail twice. Don't you remember anything, Manny?" Jones explains, giving more insight that I ever imagined. All I need to know is who the mole is.

"But Who said that..." Come on, say more!

"Shhh! I think she's awake."

"Not for long." Manny slurs.

A loud bang erupts as something collides with my head. Once again, I fall into a never-ending pit of darkness.

Please vote and comment! I hope everyone is having an awesome summer! Who do you thing 'Who' is??? Thanks for reading😊