2brown-eyes, iambeagle, and ceceprincess1217 (the muse for this plot) all helped me with the original oneshot.
We arrive at the palace complex not long after reaching the city, and it, too, is like nothing we have in Forks. Like the neighborhoods, it's also on stilts, but its towers rise at varying heights above the treetops. The trunks are incorporated seamlessly, as if the entire palace is one giant treehouse.
"Holy shit!" the big-boobed redhead says as we exit the transport.
Rose, of course, keeps her composure even though I can see the spark of excitement brimming in her eyes. I gently squeeze her arm to let her know I feel it too. It's been a long time since either of us had anything to look forward to.
It's that moment when I get my first look at a native of Kingdom Cullen. A lithe, serious-faced Cullenite steps forward, hands behind his back as he surveys the women before him. Much like the prince, his features are strong and definitive, his amber gaze piercing, yet he lacks the regality of the heir apparent.
I take an imperceptible step back, not wanting to be confused for an applicant.
"Ladies." He's abrupt, no-nonsense. "Princess Alice has been eagerly awaiting your arrival. She has a crew ready to receive and prepare you for the sensory ceremony." He pauses, his large eyes stopping on each woman. "Disrespect her and you shall be cast out. Otherwise, short of failing the sensory test, you will be moved into your apartments just after."
His piercing eyes shift to me. "Guests should follow me to the gallery where you can observe the ceremony."
The inside of the palace is everything I expected and more, elegance personified. Light and airy, while also being opulent yet sustainable. The halls are quiet and empty, a feeling of majesty draping the space. It's easy to tell that the ceremony to come is a crucial step for the survival of this kingdom.
"Here you are." The Cullen guard comes to a stop and motions to a narrow hallway. "This will take you to the gallery. I advise that you move to the very front for the best view."
"Thank you." Two other women move past me, and then my cheeks burn in embarrassment when I realize I'm the only one left.
He arches a brow.
"Sorry." I put my head down and scurry away. I'm surprised when the hallway opens up to a grand room and the seats we're supposed to occupy are much like the front row of a runway show. The other two women are already settled, so I take a plush chair beside one of them.
I'm not sure how long we sit there in silence. I've already memorized the stage, even counting the wood planks that line the cathedral ceiling, before a trumpet sounds and King Carlisle and Queen Esme are announced.
I take them in.
It's easy to see why Prince Edward is so appealing.
They're stunning.
Majestic.
It's only when the incubators are announced that I drag my eyes away from their regal forms. My jaw drops when Rose is brought into the room. One at a time, each applicant is led, naked, to a pedestal where she is bent forward, legs spread wide, fully on display for the prince to taste, smell, and touch.
It all feels strangely familiar.
The women beside me murmur excitedly.
"So hot," one of them whispers.
"I should've applied," the other one returns.
She's at least forty.
"Can you imagine…" I tune them out.
I might find it hot if I weren't watching my best friend degrade herself because another man forced her here in the first place. I could just as easily be disgusted by the entire show. It's a crapshoot right now, as everything I feel is tied up with Rose's dignity at the center.
A loud drumroll sounds, and the room falls silent. All heads turn to the small opening on the opposite side of the room.
My breath lodges in my throat.
Unmoving, I stare as a sleek, feline figure appears, stalking out of the shadows and into the spotlight. He stands to his full height, his cool green gaze sweeping the room. The resemblance to his photo is uncanny, but this beast is cleaner cut, his mane trimmed, face smooth, and a perfectly coiffed tuft of fur at the tip of his tail.
He lifts his velvety nose into the air and sniffs, once, twice, three times before a fierce snarl erupts and his sea-green eyes blaze to life.
The women beside me go nuts.
And I've yet to take a breath.
Closing my eyes, I break his control over me and breathe deeply. I don't know what's happening, but I'm eager for it to end. I'm not cut out for this kind of mindfuck, and this whole ceremonious drivel is doing a number on me. After I've gathered myself, I open my eyes, searching until I find him on his knees, his nose running along the first woman's inner thigh.
My own tighten.
His lips pull back over his teeth, mouth gaping, and he breathes in her scent. A hiss sounds and he's back to a standing position without a backward glance. He does this two more times, and for each one, confounding emotions swirl inside me.
I'm on the brink of collapse and Rose is still two applicants away, but a commotion from the main doorway interrupts the process. The prince snarls as he stalks toward the disturbance, his muscles flexing and rolling. They have a low conversation as they glance toward the women before the prince nods.
The large guard from the transport earlier moves toward the applicants, his trajectory on my best friend. I jump up, unsure of what's happening but anticipating the worst. I watch in horror as the oversized guard takes my best friend by her bicep and starts to lead her from the room.
"No!" My heart is thundering as I put my leg over the barrier and race toward her. "Where are you taking her!"
Several things happen in quick succession.
Nasty, terrible cliffy for some, but Thursday will be here before you know it!
See ya then :)