Page 61 of Tabloid Princess

“You look beautiful,” he whispered in my ear.

“Everyone is watching.”

He twirled me again and pulled me back into the safety of his arms. “Let them.”

“Happy birthday,” I stuttered.

“It was yesterday. You missed it.” His eyes flashed with a mischievous glint.

“Did you get nice presents?”

I danced into a dangerous place. His lips curved. “No. I’m waiting for yours.”

“Mine?” My cheeks warmed. “I didn’t bring you one.” Were we supposed to?

He edged a fraction closer, although to those watching they wouldn’t have noticed. As he spun us around, his feet were in perfect time to the music. Almost carrying my weight within his hold, his lips touched the lobe of my ear. “I’m sure you can think of something.”

The dance was over almost as quick as it had begun and he escorted me back to my friends, his hand always holding my elbow. I returned to Molly’s side breathless and shivering uncontrollably. His words had unleashed a monster within me I hadn’t known I contained. It clawed for release.

Prince Oliver had taken his muted conversation in the car last week and turned it up a notch. His intent echoed in my head, utterly clear.

I needed to get out of here.

Self-preservation didn’t exist when he came too close. It danced a dangerous line with destruction.

He dipped me a low bow and then turned, heading to where Freya stood near the wide stage. She didn’t look pleased, but then she looked like that in a black slinky dress that clung to her like a second skin, so really, I couldn’t see what the bitch face was for.

The lights dimmed and then Prince Oliver stepped with a sprightly jump onto the stage where a spotlight illuminated him in brilliant white, while the rest of the stage glowed with a subtle purple hue.

“Thank you for being here.” He lifted his arms to the side welcoming everyone. “As a thirty-year-old.” There were claps and cheers which he graciously acknowledged with a wide smile and incline of his head. “I believe it’s time to wake up and take note of the world I live in. Blinded by youth, it’s so easy to step through life, only seeing the important things that mean something to us in the now. I regret my blinkered approach to my own existence, and it is my deepest wish that from this point on I strive to improve our country, the lives of the people who live here and help protect the future which we all face.

“Two weeks ago, purely by chance, I had my wake-up call when I visited a local charity and the tale of one of their success stories truly touched my heart.”

I hated the way I could almost sense his gaze resting on my face.

“I need some air.” I whispered to Molly. Her inquisitive gaze lingered on my face.

“Want me to come with you?”

I shook my head and squeezed her arm. “No, I’m fine. It’s too hot in here for me, but you listen to the speech.”

I slipped out of the nearest exit, not turning back to look at the prince on the stage. I needed some control.

Every part of the last two weeks took me closer to destruction. Closer to the places I never strayed to because of Daisy.

The way my body had responded to his whispered comment on the dance floor… The way in his car for one moment I’d believed that his torn sentiment meant something.

It was dangerous.

He was dangerous.

He was a prince. One day he would be king.

I’d always be the daughter of a drug addict from Hackney.

I’d always be the half-starved twelve-year-old who didn’t know what safety or love could be.

And I’d never show that to Daisy. I’d never let her know the depths of hell her mother had to escape from.