The Heir (The Selection #4)(35)

“I went on a date last night, and it was awful, and I blame you personally.”

Ahren rubbed his arm. “What happened? Was he mean?”

“No.”

“Did he . . .” He lowered his voice. “Did he try to take advantage of you?”

“No.” I crossed my arms.

“Was he rude?”

I sighed. “Not exactly, but it was . . . awkward.”

He threw both of his arms up in exasperation. “Well, of course it was. If you saw him again, it would be better. That’s the point. It takes time to get to know someone.”

“I don’t want him to get to know me! I don’t want any of them to get to know me!”

His face fell into a confused scowl. “I always thought that you were the one person in the world I would understand no matter what. I thought you’d always understand me, too. But you tease me for being in love, and when the opportunity to find someone falls into your lap, you hate it.”

I pointed a finger at his chest. “Wasn’t it you who said this made no sense for me? Weren’t you looking forward to how I’d make them squirm? I thought you and I both agreed this was a joke. And now, suddenly, you’re the Selection’s biggest cheerleader.”

The hallway was painfully silent. I waited for Ahren to argue with me, or at least to explain.

“Sorry I let you down. But I think this is about more than a date. You need to figure out why you’re so scared.”

I raised myself to my full height. “I’m the next queen of Illéa. I’m scared of nothing.”

He backed away. “Keep saying that, Eadlyn. See if it fixes the problem.”

Ahren didn’t get too far down the hall though. Josie had friends over this morning, and the whole lot of them basically melted at the sight of his face. I recognized one of them from the day in the garden and only remembered her because she had addressed me correctly.

I watched as they gave shy grins and ducked their heads. Ahren, to his credit, was polite as always.

“Josie has said your mastery of literature is very impressive,” one of the girls said.

Ahren looked away. “She’s exaggerating. I do love to read, and I write a little, but nothing worth sharing.”

Another girl stepped forward. “I doubt that’s true. I bet our tutor would be happy to have you come teach us sometime. I’d love to hear your thoughts on a few of the books we’ve been reading.”

Josie clasped her hands together. “Oh, yes, please, Ahren. Won’t you come teach us?”

Her friends giggled at her casually using his first name, a habit from growing up beside him.

“I’m afraid I have far too much to do at the present. Perhaps another time. You ladies have a wonderful day.” He bowed kindly and continued down the hall, and the girls didn’t even wait until he was out of earshot to start giggling like idiots.

“He’s so handsome,” one said, ready to burst with adoration.

Josie sighed. “I know. He’s so sweet to me, too. We took a walk together the other day, and he was saying that he thinks I’m one of the prettiest girls he’s ever met.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I barged past them, not slowing down. “You’re too young for him, and he has a girlfriend, Josie. Let it go.”

I rounded up the stairs to go to the office. I knew I’d feel better once I did something manageable, something I could check off a list.

“See,” Josie said, not bothering to lower her voice. “I told you she was awful.”





CHAPTER 16


WORK DIDN’T MAKE ME FEEL better. I was still very unsettled about last night with Hale, and any time Ahren and I fought, it was like I lost my equilibrium. The whole planet was off its axis. Adding Josie’s ridiculous comments to the mix was the cherry on top.

My head was swarming with other people’s words and my own questions, and I was positive the day was going to end up being a waste.

“You know,” Dad said, peeking up from his work. “I got distracted early on, too. It gets easier to manage as the group gets smaller.”

I smiled. Fine, let him think I had a crush. “Sorry, Dad.”

“Not at all. Do you need me to cover your work for you today? Take the afternoon off?”

I straightened my papers. “No, that’s not happening. I’m perfectly capable.”

“I wasn’t doubting you, love. I just—”

“I’ve already taken so much time away from work for this. I don’t want to neglect my duties. I’m fine.”

I didn’t mean to sound so snippy with him.

“All right.” He adjusted his glasses and started reading again. I tried to do the same.

What did Ahren mean, it was more than the date that upset me? I knew why I was mad. And since when had I given him a hard time about Camille? Sure, I didn’t talk to her very much, but that was because we didn’t have a lot in common. I didn’t dislike the girl.

I shook my head, focusing on the papers.

“It would be fine if you needed to clear your head,” Dad offered again. “You could go spend some time with one of the Selected and come back after lunch. Besides, you’ll want to have something to talk about on the Report.”