The Princess and the Player (Royally Pitched 1)

Juliana laughed. “Well, both words end with an N.”

Ele laughed with her. Relieved, she relaxed for real and picked up her drink.

As Juliana stood, Ele grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Thanks.”

Juliana nodded.

When Robert entered the room, the fears Juliana had assuaged returned. Needing answers and assurances, she pulled him into the foyer.

“Is Jamie okay?”

“He’s fine. We have more men on him anyway. They don’t think the incident had anything to do with either team specifically. He’s going to stay for the remainder of the game. No need to worry.”

Ele nodded. She needed to know about Tristan also, but she didn’t know how to ask. It felt disloyal to be concerned about anyone other than her brother, her future king. She stood in front of Robert, fidgeting but reluctant to either leave or voice her question.

Robert watched her, brow raised, waiting. He could be a wanker sometimes.

“Anything else?” he asked, the picture of innocence.

She frowned and narrowed her eyes. “I still have influence with the queen, you know.”

Robert’s lips twitched. “Oh, the queen is safe too.”

Ele almost stomped her foot in frustration. But then Robert took pity on her.

“All of the players are safe.”

“Thank you,” she muttered. “I’m going to need to go out tonight.”

“It’s already on the schedule.”

16

3 July

Denver, Colorado

“Glass Slipper?”

Tristan’s head snapped up. Meeting Sheena’s gaze, he pretended ignorance. “Huh?”

Sheena was sprawled in the middle of the bed, two pillows shoved under her head. Her knees were bent, and her attention had returned to the phone in her hands. His phone.

“You just got a text from Glass Slipper.”

Tristan cursed silently. He punched his arm through his jacket, and then he dipped back into the bathroom, as if he’d forgotten to do something. Running the water for cover, he placed his hands on the counter and peered into the mirror. He should have been prepared to answer questions from his nosy sister. Should have had some ready excuses. But instead, he was speechless, a gaping guppy, with no snappy comeback, zero plausible explanations.

“Tris, come on!” Sheena yelled.

He turned off the faucet. He meandered back to the room and held out his hand for the phone.

“Does Glass Slipper have anything to do with the picture of you and the Ice Princess?”

“What the hell, Sheena?”

She tossed him his phone, and he snatched it out of the air.

“You really should change your password. I was shocked it’d worked.”