The Selection

20- Safety Net

True to my word, I eliminated Billy at the Report. We pretended to part amicably and he gave the crowd a charming smile before he left. We were officially down to six candidates. One of the six remaining boys would be my husband soon. The Elite. 

The crowd loved the clips from my dates and I was impressed with how tastefully everything was edited. I'm sure my father would have lost his mind if they had shown half of the stuff I had done with the boys. 

After the video, Shawn appeared at my side.

"So Your Highness, you're approaching the big decision. Do you have any idea who's going to be the lucky guy?" 

"Well Shawn, if I'm honest the choice feels nearly impossible. Each of these gentlemen have been wonderful and I'm growing to cherish their company more and more each day. I truly am the lucky one to be in the presence of Illea's finest suitors." I flashed the crowd a charming smile. "I mean is it possible to love 6 people at the same time?" I joked earning a decent enough crowd reaction. "In all honesty, I know I would be happy with any of the Elite. I now just have to decide who will be the best husband for Illea." I glanced at my father who nodded. I felt the tension draining from my shoulders at the sign of approval. 

At the end of the show, Zay escorted me back to my room. After he left, I began to get undressed. I changed into a night gown and let my hair fall down my back, removing all the pins. I was about to take off my makeup when i heard a knock on the door.

"Sir you have to go back to your room." The guard outside warned. I opened the door and looked at who was there. Lucas Friar.

"Its okay Harley. He can come in."

"But your highness, its passed curfew."

"I'll make sure he gets back okay. And please dont tell my parents. You're dismissed." He begrudgingly left his post and I allowed Lucas into my room. "What are you doing here Huckleberry?" I asked crossing my arms. "Haven't you had enough of me today?" 

"On the contrary, I felt I didn't get my fair share of your company this week. I thought I'd come and make up for lost time." 

"I thought that's why you woke me up at the ass-crack of dawn." 

"Maybe I just wanted to see you." He moved closer to me and I became more aware of how thin the fabric of my nightgown was. 

"You've seen me. You can go now." I stated, pointing to the door.

"You don't mean that do you?" He pouted moving even closer. Our close proximity made me nervous. He was standing close enough to touch and he towered over me. 

"Lucas..." I warned. He looked like he was going to lean in but we were interrupted by an alarm. The alarm. "Shit. Come on we have to go." I rushed to the back wall and got Lucas to help me move the big shelf that was blocking the door. I tried to open the knob but it got stuck. Lucas tried with no luck. "Crap. We have to go into the hallway. There's a safe room down the hall." I was shaking. Lucas grabbed my hand.

"Its going to be okay." He grabbed my hand and guided me to the door. "Stay behind me and tell me where to go." He instructed. He opened the door and we shuffled towards the safe room.

"This door." I told him and he pushed it open. We hurried inside and it locked behind us. Once we were inside, I relaxed slightly, going to sit on the cot that sat in the back of the room. Lucas knelt in front of me. 

"Are you okay?" He cupped my cheek and started searching my eyes for the answer. 

"I'm okay. My mom's probably losing her mind right now." I sighed. He let me go and sat on the floor, leaning against the wall across from me. "I just wish I had a way to tell her I was safe."

"Yeah I'm sure the attacks have been hard on my mom. She hates me being away from home at all." 

"Are you and your mom close?" Lucas nodded. 

"She's my best friend. She didn't want me to sign up for the selection because I've never been away from home for this long. Once I told her the compensation our family could get though she came around." 

"Does compensation really make that much difference for a two?"

"Well I am only a two because my dad served in the military. My mom grew up as a six and ever since he passed we've never really fit in I guess. Plus most of our money goes to paying my grandfather's medical bills." He explained. He rested his wrists on his knees and stared at his hands. I slid off the cot and sat down beside him on the floor. 

"I'm sorry I made an assumption." I sighed. 

"Don't worry about it." I leaned my head on his shoulder and smiled when he rested his head on mine. 

"Are you planning on following in your dads footsteps? You know, if this doesn't work out." 

"No. If I could be anything, I'd be a veterinarian." He confessed. "My family doesn't want me to give up our status as a Two though. My mom wants me to play baseball and my grandfather has been training me to be a bull rider since I was 4."

"I think the whole caste system is stupid. People should be able to do what they want." I admitted. He let out a light laugh.

"Easy to say from the perspective of a One." He pointed out but I could tell he wasn't being malicious about it. 

"You know, my mom was a six before she married my father." Most people who watched the selection knew but people who grew up when I did tended to only see her as the Queen. "Before that she worked as a waitress. I think my father has always resented her for it." I wasn't sure why I was telling him. 

"From what I've seen he should be grateful." Lucas mumbled. I reached over and tangled my fingers with his. I nodded. 

"I don't know how she lives with it. I can tell she misses the freedom of her old life, even if she enjoys the luxury."

"Do you ever wish you weren't a princess?" 

"Sometimes. But I know I'm privileged."

"If you weren't the future queen, what would you do?" 

"I would paint." 

"A Five then. As a future Three I don't think I can be seen with peasant like you." He teased. I gasped dramatically, lifting my head to look at him. 

"You'd be lucky to have me sir." I quipped back, poking him in the side. He flinched and I grinned, realizing what this meant.

"Don't you dare!" I tried to reach his side again but he grabbed my hands. Lucas held his grip as guided me until my back hit the floor while I tried to squirm out of his grasp. I couldn't help but laugh as he retaliated, tickling my side. 

"Stop!" I squealed. He did as I asked but he continued to hold both of my hands in one of his. Lucas brought them above my head as he leaned over me. My breath hitched as he hovered over me. 

"You are so beautiful." He breathed out barely above a whisper. 

"Lucas-" His gaze drifted to my lips. 

"Maya." He leaned down and kissed me. It was slow and sensual and I could feel his entire body pressed against mine. He was gentle in a way he hadn't been yet and the intimacy was almost overwhelming. "I think I'm falling in love with you."