I could feel Holden's eyes on me the minute I walked into the room. Turning away from him, I hid the smirk that was growing on my face. I strode across the room, taking a seat next to Kaya whose eyes were scanning the room, her expression serious. I patted her shoulder gently and she jumped a little.

" Kaya? Are you looking for someone?" She shook her head, vigorously. Her eyes fell to my neck and widened.

" Your necklace…" her voice trailed off. I smiled, touching the pendant that rested above my collarbone.

" It's my grandmother's. I wear it all the time, usually, you can't see it." She nodded, looking still dazed. I felt worried.

" Are you alright, Kaya?"

" Yeah, I…" She was cut off as Avril's voice. I turned, putting on my best smile and giving Kaya's hand a little squeeze. She smiled at me, mouthing, " You look great." I grinned back, tuning back into what Avril was saying.

" So Prince Holden, how has the Selection been going?"

" Pretty well," he shot the cameras a Royal smile and I held back from rolling my eyes. And yet, the minute I looked at him for two long it would happen again. The butterflies, the pain, and the feeling that there was something I wasn't seeing. So I looked away, concentrating my focus on Avril. " I've gotten the opportunity to spend time with many lovely girls and I feel honored."

" Was it hard to pick the Elite? Especially since you had such little time with the girls?"

" I found it simple. Connection is something that hits instantly. I could tell which girls I really could spend the rest of my life with."

" Well, that's a wonderful sentiment, Prince Holden." He bowed his head, smiling. I turned my gaze to the girl sitting beside him, Princess Lily. I hadn't even realized that I had rarely seen her. The Queen, on many occasions, had announced that Lily was sick and could not attend various functions. It was good to see her on her feet. She looked so much like her brother, and so much like the Late Queen. " Now, let's speak with the Selected. Can I have Kaya Normas and Evelyn Singer to the stage, please?" I snapped out of my reverie, stepping forward with my back straight. I caught the Queen who looked disgusted. Well, I didn't care for her very much. She could be disgusted, I raised my chin as Kaya and I walked forward.

Avril asked Kaya a few opening questions before turning to me.

" So, Evelyn Singer, your Grandmother was here, too. How did she feel about you coming here?"

" She was very excited for me, actually. She had found some of her best friends in the Selection and was hopeful I'd find the same."

" Well, I wanted to let the girls in on a little secret." I turned my head to the screen Avril was pointing at.

" We took a poll in the Kingdom. Allya was voted the Sweetheart." A swell of applause rose in the air and Allya smiled giddily.

" And you, Ms. Singer, are the current favorite. Especially among men!"

" Well, I aim to please," I laughed, my eyes darting towards Holden. He was expressionless, his eyes dazed and unfocused. He looked tired, not at all jealous.

" It seems that you have quite the number of suitors."

" That's sweet of you Avril." I sighed a little, my smile turning from real to fake. This was stupid. A stupid idea. And it was petty. Avril didn't seem to notice.

" I'm not surprised. You're beautiful."

" Thank you." We returned to our seats and Kaya and I sat wordlessly as Avril continued with the interviews. As we walked towards our rooms, Kaya leaned towards me.

" Do you think it worked?" I shrugged, my smile dropping. Holden didn't care. He never did.

" I'm not sure." I turned to face her. " What were you saying about my necklace? Before the Report started." Kaya looked startled and pulled away slightly.

" N..Nothing," she stated, surprised. I raised an eyebrow. " I swear it's nothing. We passed the Women's Room and Kaya perked up.

" Oh, I forgot. Vera needed help with something" I watched her rush down the hall. She was gonna have some questions to answer when she got back. As I reached my room I saw Holden standing there. I slowed, moving my hands nervously. Walking past, I unlocked my door and left it open for him to enter. He did, and I sat on my bed, trying the keep my various emotions in check.

" I wanted to apologize."

" For what," I scoffed. " Leaving me alone in the woods?" He sighed, pulling his hands through his hair. I was starting to guess it was a nervous habit of his.

" Look, I'm sorry. I just….I was upset."

" About what?" He shook his head smiling a little.

" You really can be blind sometimes."

" What?" I replied exasperated.

" I like you," he stated hardly, pacing back and forth. I sat there, aghast. I had wanted him to say this. Of course, I had. But not like this. " I...I like you a lot Evelyn. So, yes, I got mad when I found out what happened. She…" he trailed off, his eyes returning to mine. I stood slowly and wrapped my arms around him.

" I like you, too, Holden." I guess I wasn't going to hold that grudge. I felt his breath at the side of my neck.

" And I like your dress even more," he whispered. I blushed, pulling away and looking down. When I looked up he was smirking. I rolled my eyes.

" Is that the only reason you were mad?" Holden's demeanor shifted again. And again, he looked nervous. Fidgeting his hands he moved towards the door.

" Holden. You can talk to me."

" I can't," he said almost incoherently.

" Holden…"

" I can't tell you, Eve," he snapped. " I'm sorry." And then he was gone again and I was left trying to balance my hate and love all at the same time. Why was he so confusing? I stared at the closed door until sleep claimed me, pulling me into its own embrace.

I woke to a knocking at the door. I pulled myself groggily out of bed realizing I had fallen asleep before I changed. The dress was now slightly wrinkled and my hair was a mess. My makeup made me look dead. I strode over to the door and opened it.

" The Queen would like to see you," a Guard said as the light from the hallway hit my eyes.

" The Queen?"

" Yes, please, follow me."

" Can I get changed?"

" No."

" But…"

" No," he cut me off and gestured into the hallway. I sighed, realizing I wasn't going to win. He stomped in front of me, leading me towards a part of the Palace I had never seen before. My mind was whirling. I certainly did not want to see the Queen. And I had and even lesser idea as to why she wanted to see me. We stopped in front of a large, ornate door. The Guard stopped and pulled them open. I stepped into a room that resembled a library. A large bay window stood in front of me, letting in sunlight and showing off a beautiful view of the city. Then my gaze turned to a less ideal view: The Queen. She smiled at me, a smile that sent chills down my back. I stood straighter, hoping it would make up for my less than ideal appearance. She gave a Cheshire grin.

" Welcome, my dear dear Evelyn."

What does the Queen want with Evelyn? And what was Kaya so shocked about? Keep reading to find out.

Fae