CHAPTER 34

Cassie walked down the hall, Theo on one side of her, Levi on the other. With each step, her sense of unease increased. For the past day and a half, she had remained in her private quarters, invisible to all except a few members of the royal guard, Levi, and her father. Now here she was, about to walk through the front hall, where lives had been lost, where her own life had almost ended.

She glanced at the artwork as she passed, her forward progress slowing.

“Are you okay?” Levi asked.

She nodded because it was expected, even though it wasn’t true.

Levi took her by the elbow and came to a stop. Holding her in place, he spoke to Theo. “She needs a minute. Please make sure the main hall is clear.”

“I’m okay,” Cassie insisted.

“You’re about to appear in front of the international press corps as the representative for your country.” Levi turned her to face him. “You need a minute to deal with your anxiety before you step out in front of the crowd.”

“Does it show that much?” Cassie asked.

“No, but I know you that well,” Levi said. “We avoided the front entrance when we arrived, and you haven’t talked about what happened in days.” He gave her arm an encouraging squeeze. “You can do this. I’ll be with you the whole way.”

Cassie nodded again. This was a new day, but she couldn’t quite shake the sense of déjà vu. Sure, Levi was beside her instead of her father, but that didn’t change the truth. She was taking the same walk to the same place with someone she loved.

That thought startled her enough that her gaze lifted to Levi’s and held. She loved him. How had this happened?

Concern reflected on Levi’s face. “You’re too pale. If you can’t do this right now, we can do a televised conference from your private quarters or relocate the press to the ballroom.”

“No.” Cassie took a deep breath. “I can do this.”

Theo returned to where they stood. “Everyone is in place, and the area is secure.”

A new wave of anxiety tangled with the unfamiliar insecurity that came from knowing someone else held a piece of her heart. With a new resolve, she lifted her chin and started forward once more.

They reached the spot where she had taken cover during the shooting, the suit of armor that had been instrumental in protecting her from the assassins’ bullets no longer present.

Cassie kept going. She entered the main hall; it looked like it always had before that awful night. The bullet holes in the walls were gone, and she couldn’t see any trace of blood from the dead and wounded.

Her steps quickened only to slow again when they approached the reception hall, where the press conference would be held.

Levi put his hand on her back, a silent signal of support.

“The executives from Axion are already on stage,” Theo said. “Are you ready, Your Highness?”