I walked into our press hall to see the usual tabloid reporters and the one news station. Live cameras circled around the podium. I used to feel nervous about press conferences, but not anymore. I'd rather them hear it from me than a lie from Celeste.
"Princess!" One of the tabloid reporters called for me. "A word?"
"I will not be doing any one-on-one review after the press conference." She huffed and stormed back to her seat.
"She was certainly eager to get you alone," Declan whispered. I hummed and smoothed down my dress one more time. "Good luck." He whispered and pressed his lips to my head.
"Thanks." I moved on stage and pulled my suit jacket tighter around me. Several flashes before the reporters finally shut up. "Welcome Reporters, Journalists, colleges, others." I opened my binder. "I would like to start today off with thanking the Chef of Press for organizing this and my brother, Prince Maxon for supporting me in this journey. Between the two of us, we are excited to announce the details of the public assistance program." I began my presentation on the details of the program. "At this time, I will be taking some questions." I opened the floor to the reporters who immediately begun shouting for me. I started in the front left corner.
"I think what is on our minds right now, and is being discussed currently is why did you leave in the beginning half of the Report?" I looked to Declan who nodded.
"I ran out that night because I got terribly sick. Other questions?" I moved it along. Fewer hands raised this time. "You, sir, in the black tux."
"What is your current relationship with Captain Declan Winchester?" I blushed and felt anxiety crawl up my neck. This was it. Time to go.
"Currently we are courting. His family has been a strong influence in my family's life and are thoroughly dedicated to our family. " I clarified and took another drink.
"What about the tradition of the princess marrying a prince?"
"I think it's high time tradition was broken. Princesses have been forced, generation to generation into arranged marriages that we don't want. I'm hoping I am the first to break the tradition." The press went nuts. They kept screaming questions about how my father felt about it and how it would effect Maxon's daughters. The questions went on and on and on. My interest was finally peaked as one reporter asked a new question.
"What do you think about the selected girls?" I straightened up, body burning under the lights. Thank god for good makeup.
"I cannot say I like all of them, nor can I say I dislike them. I reserve my judgment on those who I have not talked too, but for the few, I have talked to, I strongly like or hate them. They know who they are. Any other questions?" No one raised their hand. "Then I declare this meeting over." I shut my books and exited with Declan hot on my heels.
"Well, that went-"I pulled him in a service hallway and wrapped my arms around his waist.
"My father is going to have a fit when he finds out and I'm afraid," I mumbled into his guard jacket. "I just wanna be with you." Declan nodded and let go of me, taking my hand the back way to my room. I giggled until he pushed me up against the door. He bent down and kissed me ferociously I moaned against his lips as he traced down my sides. I giggled as his nosed traced over my neck and he lifted me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist, dress hitching up on my thighs. My heels fell to the floor. I pulled him closer with my thighs and a groan fell from his lips. The door handle jiggled and I pulled away from the kiss to say something about it when the door opened unexpectedly. I squealed as Declan fell on top of my body, placing a hand under my head and another hand next to it to support his weight.
"Oh dear." My maids all stood over us, bright red. I paled and so did Declan.
"Don't say anything!" Declan helped me up and handed me my jacket. When did that come off? Christina giggled and took the other two girl's hands and drug them behind her before reaching into her pocket and taking Declan's hand. He blushed and chuckled. I lifted my eyebrow as he shook his head.
"What?" Declan's eyes darkened and he lifted me up once more and kissed me before leading me to my bed.
"Catalina! Catalina! Get up!" Nicki shook my arm.
"What?" I mumbled as I turned in my warm sheets. Declan removed his arm from my waist, alert.
"Rebel attack! Hurry!" My eyes shot open like a bullet as I woke up. My maids threw my work out pants and top on me along with most of
"Cat!" Elsie yelled. "You need to go, they're on this floor!" Her eyes were frantic. The gunfire came from down the hall. Declan pulled his jacket over my body as they shoved me into the service hall.
"We need to get you three to safety." My maids shook their heads at my request, almost incedious at my statement. A line of guards covered us. "Let's go. We can go the back way." I ran out with Declan to the end of the hall, near the secret library. I turned a corner and pushed the girls back as a young girl aimed her gun at us. I felt a bullet strike my chest before Declan shot her. Her screams curdled my blood as I clutched the hole. Declan's jacket was bulletproof. A young boy charged at me with a knife. I narrowed my eyes. I dodged the first attack before breaking his nose.
"Get the girls out of here, Nicki! Declan, cover them!" The girls ran as Declan fired around him. I blocked another attack from the boy but missed him in my next swipe. A sharp pain erupted in my stomach. I blocked a few more attacks before Declan shot him. I pressed my hand to my wound. Glistening scarlet red dripped from my hand.
"Declan!" I screamed. A gun was fired before he picked me up. "Di- Did they get out?" I whispered. He nodded.
"Yes, now be quiet." His gun fired three times before he got into the safe room.
"What happened to her?" I was laid down on a cot. I moaned in pain.
"She got out too late. She was fighting off a rebel who got her in her gut."
"It's your job to protect her, Captain. That's my daughter." My mother screamed.
"Cat! Cat, stay with me." He ripped off the bottom section of my top. I moaned in pain. "I understand that, my Queen. But that's not going to help her right now."
"How bad is it?" I mumbled. Declan brushed my hair out of my face as he pressed his jacket into my side.
"Rebels… subdued…back." A guard mumbled. I lost my hearing before blacking out. I came to in Declan's arms.
"Declan…What's happening?" I mumbled before pain shot through me. He put me down in a hospital room
"She got cut." Searing white pain flashed through me. I blacked out again.
I woke up, feeling sore and dirty. Declan laid next to me with his head on the bed and our intertwined hands under his head.
"Declan." I kissed his cheek. "Wake up." His brown eyes opened warily at me.
"Morning. How are you feeling?" I shifted.
"Everything hurts." I settled my hand on my stomach. Bandages covered my torso. Declan took my hands and kissed them before kissing my forehead. I pulled away from him as Max walked in, panting.
"You look like you have just run five miles." My voice came out raw.
"I came as soon as Janice said you were up." How are you feeling?"
"Could be better. How are the girls?" Maxon ran a hand through his hair. He was stressed. "Maxon, what happened?"
"The Elite were anounced," Maxon rubbed his face and looked between Declan and me. " Father is upset about you and the Captain. He put in a transfer for Declan to New China and a rank demotion."
END OF BOOK ONE