It was surprisingly easy to spread rumors. Gossip was common on the Isle–there weren't many pastimes: sex, gossip, drinking–but it was often dangerous. If the wrong person heard it then anyone involved would have to hide for a while or risk a knife in the back. On the mainland, it almost seemed like a religion. Everyone wanted to know about everyone else and no one questioned whether the rumor was true or conjecture.

And Evie was happy to take advantage of such a weakness.

A "you saw Audrey at the stable with who?" with Carlos in the cafeteria line.

A "I don't think Audrey is that flexible" from Jay to Mal outside the locker room.

An idle "she wears so much makeup. She must not have gotten the same blessing as her mother" in the bathroom with Mal after Audrey left.

Of course it would take time for the rumors to grow. Audrey was a highly respected or loved member of the campus, a royal, and had quite the following of friends. There wasn't a lot of motivation to gossip about her. But there were enough people not enamored by the princess to spread the rumors slowly. And slow rumors lingered longer than ones that spread like oil soaked fire. The sensationalization would fade, especially since her pack wouldn't be adding to the intrigue. Audrey would. She had a reputation to protect. She had a future that could be tarnished.

Every now and then she'd add a little more fuel, tend to the embers so it didn't go out, but Evie was content to mostly wait and watch her work grow. Besides, she needed to focus on helping put out the rumors surrounding her pack.

The bench was warm beneath her as she started the reading assignment for next week. Carlos stretched out in the grass next to her, flipping through a book about dogs, Checkers perched on the small of his back and the dog sniffing around the courtyard. Jay had said something about practicing and disappeared while Mal muttered about having to do some Ancient History project before going to their room.

For the most part it was quiet. A few students passed them here and there, none of them bothering to pretend they weren't staring. At one point, one called, "What's it like being the bitch to a couple of girls?"

Without missing a beat, Carlos glanced up, head tilted, smile too innocent. "Why? Jealous?" The other boy went red and stormed away. Gaze almost predatory as he watched him leave, Carlos sighed. "Would've been more fun if he'd been with friends."

"Don't worry, pup. You'll get the chance," she laughed. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched him shrug.

"Yeah. Probably."

There was something in his voice she didn't like, a wariness and anxiety too familiar to what she'd hear on the Isle. But she couldn't talk to him about it. Not out in the open where others could hear them and not when his memories could be too fresh and raw. She'd just have to keep an eye on him.

"Oh. I didn't realize you were here."

That bitch. Arranging her expression into as neutral a mask as possible, Evie offered a polite smile. "Hello, Princess Audrey."

The princess of Ulsted stood beside two of her entourage watching them. Her pink dress was impeccable, accenting her figure without being slutty, hair braided in neat and intricate patterns, makeup impeccable, and Evie swallowed a surge of conflicted shame. It was so effortless for her while Evie had to fret over every detail…

"There's been some unfortunate rumors. How have you been?" Audrey asked, lips puckered in a concerned pout. "They can be so damaging to one's reputation and yours is already so fragile. Though I suppose some of the stress is eased by the lack of royal status."

Before Carlos could do more than shift, Evie nudged him with her foot. She hated Audrey too. The comments… If she couldn't handle this then she wasn't strong enough to be worthy of anyone's attention. No. She was better than that.

"Thankfully it's nothing we can't handle," Evie smiled. "The concern, however, is appreciated. Do you know how they started?"

"No. I only heard them yesterday during lunch and didn't have a chance to pursue them," Audrey said.

Carlos twitched, eyes narrowing. Evie agreed, and couldn't resist commenting, "Your network didn't bring it to you sooner?"

For a split second, Audrey's lip curled, before her features smoothed. "Unsavory business has no place in courts," she dismissed. "It distracts from the real issues we royals need to focus on. Such things are beneath a princess. Dirtying her hands. Though, I suppose it's different on the Isle?"

Before Evie could reply, one of Audrey's entourage called, "We're going to be late, Aud. Let's go."

"A princess never rests," Audrey said, smile sickeningly sweet as she waved and left.

As they walked away, Evie barely heard Carlos's cursing. Was she a bad princess? Had she somehow failed to understand her mother's teachings? That couldn't be right. Her mother was an unstoppable queen, a capable queen, until Snow White. If it hadn't been for Snow White, Grimhilde would've ruled her entire life.

Which meant… which meant Evie had failed to meet not only her mother's expectations, but also the world's. Perhaps that was why no one came to rescue her from the Isle. She didn't deserve the title of princess and she wasn't perfect enough to earn the standing her mother lost.

"E?"

Blinking, she looked down, meeting Carlos's soft brown gaze. "I'm alright," she smiled. "Just got a little lost in thought."

He didn't believe her. She knew he didn't. But she ignored him and turned her attention back to the book.

She didn't remember anything she read.