Drop Dead Single (Monstrana Paranormal Romance 1)

“You’ll understand in a minute.” She put the earpiece up to her head. “And now we’re really late. Come on, I’ll get you where you need to be.”

Stasia rushed her through the hall and down the staircase that Cate had been trying so hard to find. They flew down to the first level and into a gigantic stone hallway. With her hand on her back, Stasia almost shoved her through a large ornate door and out onto a balcony. The late setting sun threw intense rays into Cate’s eyes and she strained to see what was going on.

It seemed that a crowd had gathered in the yard below. She blinked a few times and shielded her eyes. As her sight adjusted, she suddenly felt the gaze of a hundred or so pairs of eyes. Her cheeks reddened as she looked down at the crowd below.

“What’s going on?”

“It’s the opening ceremony,” Stasia explained. “Just a few cameras and some fans. Put on a smile. You’ll be meeting the prince and his family in a moment.”

“The prince?” Cate swallowed hard. “Why would he want to meet me?”

A quizzical smile tugged at Stasia’s lips. “You don’t have to play coy with me, Larisa. I’m not the one you need to impress. Viktor isn’t easily moved. He’s a stone wall. Take it from me — you’ll want to save all your energies for him and the competition.”

Her voice caught in her throat. This was a big mistake. She wasn’t Larisa, or whoever Stasia was looking for. She wasn’t here to meet a prince of Monstrana. Especially not on camera. This was all wrong.

Raucous applause broke out from the crowd below and by the time she found her voice again, Stasia had already migrated away and settled behind the line of cameras and lights. Two new women, dressed to the nines in sparkly cocktail dresses and bedazzled hairstyles, slipped in beside her. She couldn’t turn to greet them, as her feet had become effectively cemented to the ground.

“I’m Joy,” whispered the first in a baby pink dress. She smiled and waved a lacy pink glove. “Nice to meet you.”

“Cate,” she managed to eek out.

“Jezebel,” the other said in a droll British accent. She wore a turquoise gown that revealed much of her ample, and most likely fake, assets. Clearing her throat, she bumped Cate rudely with her hip. “Don’t get too comfortable around here. I’m here to win. Prince Viktor is mine.”

“I’m not...I mean, I don’t...” Cate wasn’t sure what she was trying to say. All she could focus on were those camera lenses peering at her with an intensity she couldn’t describe.

And anyway, it was too late to sneak out now. The double doors were opening again and out walked a stream of people so stiffly poised that she was sure their spines had been replaced with steel rods. The first was a regal man in his fifties, followed closely by a similarly aged woman. Both wore simple crowns of gold on their heads. That had to be the King and Queen. Cate nearly fainted.

Following behind them were two young men, both in their early thirties. The first had a boyish look about him, with an easy smile and short cropped blond hair. He waved at the crowd and laughed when a few women broke out into audible sighs. As her eyes fell upon the second man, Cate’s heart stopped.

It was the strange man from the hallway. The man with the abs of steel. He stared ahead with a brooding expression, as if he’d rather be anywhere else. Blessed with a heavy regal brow, strong jawline, and a tall, athletic figure, he certainly wasn’t lacking in the looks department. His wavy, black hair fell just below his ears and looked soft enough to run her fingers through. Thick lashes lined his amber-colored eyes. And of course, there were those perfect lips on his clean-shaven face that made her want to plant one right on him. Cate gulped and

ducked her head, determined to disappear into the stone patio below. Unfortunately, she hadn’t obtained her super powers yet to perform such a feat.

“Welcome to Castle Monstrana, ladies,” the Queen began, stretching out her arms. The people behind the cameras began to move about in a hushed frenzy. “I am Queen Anna Romanov and I’m so glad that you’re here. I’d like to take a moment to introduce my grandsons.”

Cate’s eyebrows disappeared into her hairline. That woman didn’t look old enough to be a grandmother of two adult men. Good genes ran in the family.

“This is my youngest, Prince Leo.” She placed a hand on the shoulder of the blond man. He smiled and waved at the cameras. “And may I also introduce your suitor, Crown Prince Viktor?”

Prince Viktor grimaced at the cameras and shoved his hands deep into his pockets. He didn’t seem to be putting any effort into smiling for the people watching below. Despite the fact that Cate clearly wasn’t supposed to be in this strange competition, she couldn’t help but feel a little bit angry for the ladies beside her. He obviously didn’t care a stitch about them. If she really had been a competitor, she would’ve turned on her heel and marched out, right then and there. That would’ve shown him. He could’ve at least acted polite.

Queen Anna glided down to them and grabbed Joy’s hand first. “Lady Joy, what a lovely little thing you are. I could just eat you up. I’m so glad to make your acquaintance.”

Joy blushed and curtsied. She mumbled a few words and then dropped her hand to her side.

“Queen Anna.” Jezebel pushed forward and grabbed the Queen’s hand. “I am honored to be here. Your home and its people are lovely. I cannot think of any place I’d rather be.”

The Queen smiled, tilting her head in agreement. “Duchess Jezebel. So glad you could come. Your father is most proud of you and your accomplishments. He speaks of nothing else.”

When she was finally free of Jezebel’s grasp, she turned to Cate. Instantly, her forehead wrinkled in confusion. Sweeping her eyes over Cate’s drab wardrobe, she offered a reluctant hand. “My, you don’t look a thing like your portrait, Lady Larisa. Not that it’s a bad thing, of course. But you’re not what I was expecting.”

Cate swallowed a mouthful of air. Should she confess all to the Queen at this very instant? Her mom had always preached that honesty was best. She felt the strong urge to spill, but those camera lights were far too intense. Instead, she shrugged and limply grasped the Queen’s hand.

“My apologies,” she muttered with a fake laugh. “I’ll have to work on that for next time.”

The Queen frowned at her, doubt washing over her delicate features, and then turned to face her family. Cate mumbled into her own shoulder, her ears turning red. This was excruciating. No doubt, Miranda would be fired the instant they found out her connection to the impostor.

The horror of the thought sent chills through Cate’s spine. She didn’t want to get her friend fired. Not from her brand new, dream job. It would be better to keep cool for now. Keep quiet. At least for the present. Minimize the damage and hopefully save her friend’s job.