The Prince and the Player

Hajib has the car waiting, and we’re in it, driving as quickly as possible after the ambulance.

It feels like hours pass before a female doctor with short brown hair comes out to tell us what’s happening.

“Majesté,” she does a little bow to Rowan. “Bonjour.”

“Comment est-elle?” he says quickly.

“La dame est bien—”

“English, please!” I practically shriek, startling them both.

“Pardon!” The doctor says in a thick French accent. “I did not realize…”

“Will she be okay?” I plead.

The woman continues almost too quickly for me to follow through her accent. “She lost a lot of blood, so she’s very weak. The bullet passed cleanly through her upper arm just missing her brachial artery. I stitched up the wound, and we’re monitoring her vitals. She’s very lucky it did not hit her heart.”

My head goes light, and I’m sure I’ll faint. Rowan catches me, helping me to a nearby chair. Bodyguards have cordoned off the area, so it’s only the three of us in the waiting room. The doctor tells Rowan something I don’t understand and disappears down the hall.

Overhead a television blasts in French. I read the subtitles explaining how the entire country is on high alert following two suspected assassination attempts on the crown prince at today’s race.

Police have set up a tip line. The words tighten my chest.

Police are searching for anyone who knows anything about this attack. If you saw anything or know who might be behind this, call…

My mind is racing. I know who’s behind this, and they know I know. How long before they track me down? I’m the only witness outside their group who can testify against them, who can expose them all.

“Cal is with the men examining the car,” Rowan says, misinterpreting my dark expression. “Otherwise, he’d be here with you.”

Cal… Another pain in my heart. I won’t see him again…

“He’s okay?” I ask.

“He just sent me a text. He couldn’t reach your phone.”

“My phone was… taken.”

We don’t speak for several moments as the television continues in French. A nurse approaches us and does a slight bow. Her voice is also accented.

“Do you know the young lady’s next of kin?”

“Me,” I stand quickly, going to her. “I’m her sister, Zelda Wilder.”

I don’t miss the way Rowan looks at me.

“Very good.” The nurse hands me a clipboard. “I need you to fill out these forms as soon as you can.”

I take the clipboard and turn to face the truth. Rowan is straight in his chair, his blue eyes fixed on me.

“I need to tell you something,” I say, glancing down at the papers. “I don’t have a lot of time. Do you think… do you think it’s possible you can listen to what I have to say without asking questions? Even if it sounds ugly at first?”

“I won’t promise anything.” Rowan’s voice is tense, anger just below the surface. I’m on the verge of tears.

“Ava is my sister,” I say, clearing my throat. “We lied about her being my friend. I thought it would keep her safe. I didn’t know the person who brought us here had his own agenda.”

Rowan stands, and his hands are on his hips. “Is this about my uncle, the duke?”

I take a deep breath and walk past him to sit in the chair again. I’m not sure I can say this standing.