Page 66 of Five

I sigh into her embrace and force myself to relax. “I’m sorry I’m not myself. I don’t know if I’ll ever be myself again.” And this, at least, is not a lie. I will never be Princess Shrike again. It’s over. That fairy tale has an ending and it wasn’t the happily ever after I was expecting.

“Frank is good for you,” she says, dropping the subject of Five. “I know you’ll be fine.” She pets my hair and rests her head against mine. “Put on that dress and I’ll pick you up here at eight. OK?”

“Fine,” I say, giving in. There’s no other way this conversation can end. “Go get dressed yourself. I’ll be ready and I’ll make the most of it.”

“No,” Tera says, getting up off the bed so she can glare down at me again. “You’ll be more than ready. You’ll be perfect. I’ll accept nothing less.” And then she turns on her heel, walks to the door, throws it open, and looks over her shoulder, saying, “Tonight, Miss Shrike, is the first day of your new life.”

So I’ve been told.

But Tera is already gone, the door already closed before I can respond.

I stare at the dress for a few seconds, then get up and check that tag again. Over nine thousand dollars. And Frank Fulbright is my date. Not Five Aston.

I make a pouty face.

They’ve paired me with him for a reason. And I only have two choices tonight. Accept the life Palladium is offering me. Or blow all the plans I’ve made.

I sigh, slip the dress off the hanger, and lay it down on the bed so I can spread out the skirt and get a better look. There’s a slit in the tulle that goes all the way up the thigh. And the top, while exquisitely made with enough bling to charm even the best-bred princesses, is really nothing more than a sheer bodice with strategically placed beads and crystals.

My fingers play with the tulle. It’s so soft. It’s like a dream. A fantasy dress tailor-made for a fantasy night by a Parisian designer. My mom would kill to see me in this. Hell, she’d probably fight me for it.

And that thought makes me laugh.

I’m gonna do it, I decide. I’m gonna go through with Palladium tonight. And I’m gonna show up for Eat Meet next week and do it again. I’m all in. I’ve given up a lot to get to this moment in time and I’m not gonna let anything stand in my way.

But when I pass the mirror on my way to start the shower, that pouty look is still on my face.

“Suck it up, Shrike. This is your big moment.”

And then I force that smile on my face. And I keep it there as I wash my hair, dry off, and start putting on my makeup.

It’s still there when I finish pulling my hair up into a sophisticated updo that would make my aunt Rook proud. Still there when I put the dress on and reach behind my back to find the zipper. Still there when I slip my feet into the shoes I found at the bottom of the bag. Fucking Kallie thinks of everything, doesn’t she?

And it’s still there when I check myself in the mirror.

But that’s where it falters. Just a small slip in my feigned happiness. Just a tiny indiscretion as I picture what my life could’ve been. Five, standing behind me, fastening a necklace. Kissing my neck. Telling me I’m beautiful.

And then the knock on my door pulls me back from the edge.

I ravel up all those loose ends and… yes. There it is. The smile of a princess before the ball.

“Rory!” Tera calls.

“Come on, bitch!” Mia shouts. “We’ve got men waiting for us!”

I pull the door open, smile firmly in place. “Good God!” I exclaim. “You are stunning!”

“Look who’s talking,” Mia says, pulling at my tulle skirt to reveal my upper thigh. So… she knew exactly what Kallie gave me. “Gonna show some leg tonight, Aurora?”

“It’s Rory,” I growl at her before I can stop myself. But then I recover, my smile back in place, and I say, “I don’t suppose I have a choice?”

“You don’t,” Tera says.

Both of them have equally exquisite gowns. Beads and lace in a tight, form-fitting mermaid for wild Mia, and tulle and silk for Tera.

“Where’s Kallie?” I ask, looking down the hall.

“She’s already gone downstairs to get things ready for the ceremony.”