#Chapter 100: The Second Elimination Ceremony

I continued to hold Susie’s hand as we were led into the staged area for the ceremony. The 14 of us that were left were lined up into three rows. Camera crews were setting up in front of us. On the other side, three small stages were arranged side by side, each with their own set of stairs. A throne was arranged at the far end of the room for the King and Queen. Sometime after we arrived, the royal family came in together. I tried to catch Julian’s eye, but he wouldn’t look at me. He didn’t look at any of the candidates. His typical bored façade was in place. I worried about him for a moment. Just what had the King wanted to talk to him about? But then I saw Nicholas and all other thoughts flew straight out of my head. I hadn’t seen him since our kiss in the hallway outside Julian’s door, when I’d lost myself and wanted to be ravaged. He wasn’t looking at me either, but this one, I understood. I only hoped he didn’t regret it. Our relationship was… complicated. Impossible, probabl