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“You look like you’re trying to find the right words to tell me something. Just say it. I won’t be upset.”
“Well…it’s about you.”
I frown. “Okay.”
“You’ve heard the rumors about Prince Silas, right? That he has a lover?”
“Uh-huh.” I keep my face neutral, clasping my hands to stop them from shaking.
“Well, one of my contacts at other gossip sites has been speculating that his lover is”—she clears her throat—“that it’s actually you.” Annie finally swings her eyes to me, arching her brows. “Is it?”
“Is it what?”
“Is it you?” Her eyes are wide.
I frown. “What evidence could there possibly be that his lover is me? Of course not.” It feels wrong to lie about this when all I’ve been thinking about is Silas. I don’t want to lie about our relationship. I don’t want to deny it, I want to scream it out for everyone to hear—but then what? I quit and live a life of luxury when I’ve spent my entire adult life denouncing it?
Even as I’m infatuated with him—because it must be an infatuation—I know I can’t logically be with Silas. It would never work. I’d have to give up too much.
“Well,” Annie starts, “they’re saying he paid you special attention on the plane, inviting you up to the top level multiple times. They’re saying you two ran off together at the Gala of the Press in Farcliff. That he chased after you when you left, then left soon after. They’re saying”—she leans in, dropping her voice—“that you took the royal jet back to Nord when your mother had her accident. Is that true, Jazz?”
My cheeks feel hot. I shake my head. “No.” It comes out as a squeak. One of the other journalists on tour—or maybe multiple of them—have been gossiping. I don’t know why I’m surprised. It’s their job, after all.
“They’re saying he followed you here and stayed a night in Nord, but he never stopped at the castle.”
“Who’s saying all this?” I snap.
“Lots of people, Jazz. There’s a whole theory that you two have been lovers for months.” Her eyes drop to my neck as she sucks in a breath. “And there’s that.”
I touch the chain at my neck that I haven’t taken off since the Gala of the Press in Farcliff. Not once.
“I haven’t told anyone about the chain, Jazz, but you know Cochrane Jewelers are the official jewelers for the royal family, right?”
“Are they?” My voice jumps a few octaves and it sounds laughably false, even to my ears.
Annie’s silent for a while, staring at me.
I glance over my shoulder, knowing denial isn’t going to make her believe me. I consider Annie my friend, and I don’t want to lie to her, but what can I say? Dropping my head in my hands, I suck in a breath. “He gave me the chain,” I admit.
Annie inhales sharply, clapping a hand over her mouth.
I gather the courage to meet her eyes, seeing shock and interest gleaming in her gaze. “Please don’t tell anyone,” I whisper.
“I would never. I’ve been denying it to everyone who asks.”
“Multiple people have asked?”
“If anyone gets a good enough photo, the story will break.”
“Well I’m here, and he’s, where, in Argyle by now? There won’t be any photos of us together any time soon. He won’t be back for six weeks.”
Annie puts her hand on my shoulder. I flinch, then apologize for my reaction. She smiles at me. “I’ll fend them off as much as I can, Jazz, but you might want to prepare yourself for a shitstorm. They won’t hold back, what with you being all pro-abolition of the monarchy and him being part of the monarchy. You must know how juicy this rumor is.”
“I understand the complications,” I snap. “It’s fine. He gifted me a chain and we had a few conversations. I’m not going to bear the man’s children, for crying out loud.” The words feel heavy coming out of my mouth. I frown.
Annie’s brows tug together, but she says nothing. She nods, then straightens up and walks back to her desk.
I take a few deep breaths and immediately call Rhea. “Early dinner? I’ll be done with work in two hours,” I ask as soon as she answers.
