Thankfully, Chloe jumps in and rescues me. “Judging by the past-season Prada heels you’re wearing, I know you’re a fan of dredging up ancient history, Ava — but don’t you think it’s time you moved on from my big brother?” She arches her slender red eyebrows. “Oh!Wait. My mistake. You do have a fiancé lying in the hospital. Isn’t that right? Tell us, when did you last visit him? Have youeverbeen to visit him? Because I go twice a week and, funnily enough, I’ve never once bumped into you in that waiting room.”
“They won’t allow visitors,” Ava snaps, her defensive tone unmistakable. “He’s cordoned off in the burn unit.”
“I’ll take that as anothen,” Chloe murmurs.
I swallow another long sip of my drink. It’s almost empty.
Definitely time to flag down another waiter…
“You don’t know the first thing about what I’ve been going through.” Ava’s voice trembles as though she’s suddenly overcome with grief, but it doesn’t ring true. “This has been the most difficult time of my life.”
“Cut the dramatics, Ava.” Chloe’s eyes roll again. “You’re more upset about losing your shot at becoming the queen than you are about losing the man you’re supposed to love.”
“And what exactly wouldyouknow about love, Chloe Thorne? I’ve known you since we were children and in all that time, not one person has ever spared you more than a single night’s worth of attention.”
“Enough. Both of you.” I cut in before Chloe can retort. “Can we at least attempt to get through this damn tea party without bloodshed? People are starting to stare.”
“Aw! I see you have a new watchdog, Chloe!” Ava laughs as her eyes slide to mine. “How… cute.”
It takes effort to keep myself from snapping back at her but, seeing as I’m the one calling for peace here, I force a benign smile instead.
“So,Your Highness—” Funny how my title sounds like an insult on Ava’s lips. “How have you been holding up? I haven’t seen you since the coronation. It wassucha trauma, I figured you’d be simplywasting awayfrom the stress!” Her eyes cut me down, taking in every curve of my size six body in the fitted green wrap dress I’m wearing. “I’m happy to see you’re not skin and bones. In fact, you’re lookingquitehealthy these days.”
I flinch, despite my best efforts to conceal it.
Bitch.
Ava sees my reaction and her smile widens — a shark smelling blood in the water. Her voice is full of false sweetness. “I hope I haven’t offended you, Princess! I just envy your ability to maintain such afullfigure. No mater how much I eat, I can’t seem to put on any weight at all! Youmusttell me your secret.”
“Oh, go peel a grape, Ava,” Chloe hisses, leaning forward. “You’ve been on the air diet since we were twelve.”
Ava’s eyes sharpen to blades. “I don’t have to askyoursecret to staying thin, Chloe. Everyone in this room knows your diet consists of a steady supply of booze and pills. Everyone in this country, actually, seeing as your last two overdoses were splashed all over the papers.” She pauses. “Perhaps you can give thePeople’s Princesssome pointers before they have to build additional weight supports for her throne.”
Chloe takes a stride forward, fully prepared to go to battle on my behalf. “Listen here, you frostbitten little bitch—”
“Chloe! She’s not even worth it,” I mutter, throwing out a hand to stop her before she makes a huge scene. Already, I can feel the weight of several pairs of inquisitive eyes on us — the other ladies in the room, peering over their teacups to discern the latest drama.
“Aren’t you two just adorable.” Ava’s stare drifts from Chloe to me and back. “It’s clear you have a special bond. Closer than sisters!” She leans in to whisper. “But then, you’ve always had suchclose female friendshaven’t you, Chloe? A shame it caused those rumors about you on Page 6 last year! I wouldn’t worry too much, though. I’m sure your delightful mother will eventually find you a husband who doesn’t mind your rather… untoward proclivities.”
My face pales.
My stepsister releases what can only be described as a growl. I tighten my grip on her arm, holding her back, though in all honesty I’d like nothing more than to help her put this smug skank in her place.
“Ava, I suggest you turn around and walk away,” I warn through clenched teeth. “Because you might’ve been raised here in this little bubble of tea parties and polite society… but I grew up in the real world. And I think we both know, despite the truly impressive size of your bitchy attitude, when it comes down to it, myhealthy, full figured selfcould kick your skinny ass from here to the Austrian border.” I smile cooly, channeling a look I’ve often seen Octavia don in my presence. “Not to mention sign a royal decree barring your re-entry.”
“You don’t have the power to do that!” Her indignant huff is music to my ears.
“Oh, Ava.” My eyes gleam. “Try me. Please, try me.”
With that, I whirl around and stride away, tugging Chloe after me. I don’t stop until we’ve left the parlor behind in favor of a heated glass atrium overlooking the manor’s sprawling, snow-covered grounds. I stare at the drifting snowflakes, breathing far harder than normal. When I finally unclench my hands, I find an orderly row of half-moon fingernail indents scored across my palms.
“Dude!” Chloe exclaims lowly. “Did you see her face!? You were such a badass back there.”
I shrug.
“I’m serious! Where the hell did that come from?”
“She pissed me off.”