BY THE END OF THE SKI date, Viktor could’ve shoved a wooden stake into his own heart. He’d spent the entire time being chased by two rabid women with a single goal: get the prince. Grateful that Stasia had put an end to the session, he was dismayed when she led him inside and announced that there would be a cocktail hour prior to the big ceremony. Plenty of time for Prince Viktor to chat privately with each of you, she’d promised the women with a conspiratory wink.

Over his dead body. Well...over his undead body.

But, as always, Stasia had an easy time corralling him into doing exactly what she wanted. He spent twenty minutes staring at his Bloody Mary as Jezebel droned on about herself. From what he could remember at the end of the conversation, she liked to surround herself with royal friends. She had two rare purebred dogs, an estate in the U.K., and her hobbies included judging fashion and judging people in general.

He’d never heard so many famous names dropped in so little time. It was like she thought he’d be impressed by all of her connections. He wasn’t. The only thing he was impressed by was how long she could go on talking before she needed to take another breath.

At least his time with Lady Joy wasn’t horrible. He found her refreshing compared to the harsh and condescending tones of Duchess Jezebel. She did indeed own her own flourishing plantation in the southern states. And she didn’t hog the entire twenty minutes telling him about her famous friends.

But the conversation between them lacked any real depth. During the last few moments of their time together, they found themselves staring awkwardly into their drinks, unsure how to keep the chat going. He could see why Cate thought so highly of her, but she wasn’t a match for him. That much was clear.

“Times up.” Stasia appeared suddenly beside a large potted fern, a giant set of black headphones over her ears. She dragged an uncomfortable looking Cate behind her. “One girl to go. You’ve got twenty minutes. Use them wisely.”

Viktor squirmed in his seat as Joy gave him a hug and followed Stasia out of the room, leaving the two of them alone. It had been so obvious out on the slopes that Cate didn’t want to be anywhere near him. She’d pretty much run from him at a full sprint.

He didn’t get it. Hadn’t she signed up for this show to date him? Why was she acting so standoffish? Was it some act to play coy and then reel him in?

She had changed into a simple blue cotton dress that emphasized the small curve of her waist. He couldn’t help but notice the shape of her legs as she sat down across from him and crossed them. His gaze remained glued to them until the sound of her throat clearing made blood rush to his cheeks and he forced himself to look up.

“I’m not sure what we’re supposed to talk about,” she said, tilting her head to one side. “I don’t suppose Stasia left you a script?”

“Not at all.” The smallest hint of a smile lit up his face. “She’s no help at all. I ought to fire her.”

Panic made her cornflower blue eyes widen. She grasped her dress between her hands. “Please, don’t. She’s very nice. And I’m sure she’s good at her job.”

He chuckled, low and throaty. She had no idea who Stasia was. It was a refreshing change of pace. “I doubt I can fire the werewolf crown princess. I’m kind of stuck with her. And besides, I wouldn’t fire my best friend, even if I could.”

She gaped at him, her cheeks turning the loveliest shade of chantilly pink. “She’s a werewolf princess? But she’s so...”

“Not stuck up?” he offered.

“Normal,” she said at the same time.

They both smiled. Viktor took a sip of his drink and told himself to relax. This was just like a normal date. Or, as normal as a date could be for him. There was no need to feel tense. Even if he could feel himself starting to enjoy her company.

“So, how does that work?” She smoothed out her dress with her hands. “Sharing a throne? I know your grandparents are the King and Queen.”

“As are Stasia’s parents. There are two sets of thrones for Monstrana. A werewolf and a vampire. It’s worked well for us. Although werewolves have shorter life spans than most vampires, we’ve been able to rule efficiently with Stasia’s relatives throughout the ages. I have no doubt that she will also make a wonderful ruler.”

There he was, spewing about politics and things his brother would call mood killers. Not exactly the way to impress a lady. Still, Cate didn’t seem to mind. She nodded along with everything he said, listening intently.

“It’s wonderful that you two are such close friends,” she said with a warm smile that lit up her entire face. He had the urge to move closer to her. To run his hands through her silky brown hair and feel the softness of her lips under his fingertips.

“Yes, it is.” He gulped at his cocktail. Touching her was not an option. He’d better keep his hands to himself.

“Have you two ever been a couple?”

He nearly spit out his drink. Instead, it traveled down his throat in one hard lump that made him cough and pound at his chest. “Excuse me?”

“Have you ever been together?” She examined her fingernails in her lap. “She is very beautiful. No one would blame you.”

Not in the history of his seven hundred years had anyone been so impertinent to him. His ears filled with the roar of blood rushing to his head. “I’m not certain that’s any of your business.”

Her gaze flicked to him and he swore that he saw embarrassment and regret flicker in them before she turned her head away. “You’re right. I’m sorry that I asked.”

Silence fell between them. He glared at the log paneling that spanned the lodge, no longer finding any charm in its rustic appearance or the warm yellow undertones of the wood grain. He and Stasia, a couple? Preposterous. But the longer he thought about her question, the less angry he felt. If she truly was interested in him, of course she’d be worried about his feelings for his best friend. Any woman would.

But the very notion was ridiculous. She was more like a sister to him than anyone in the world. He could never see her as anything different. The suggestion made him shudder.

“Tell me about your family,” he said, breaking the silence.

Her gaze darted to his and her pink lips parted, but no words came out.

“If you feel so inclined,” he added in a softer tone.

She narrowed her eyes, as if determining if she could trust him, took a deep breath and sighed. “My parents met when they were only fifteen...”

❖

Cate had never felt so shook up. She’d tried her hardest to push Viktor to hate her. Even went so far as to suggest he and Stasia had had an affair. She’d felt awful the moment the words left her mouth. He’d looked so angry, as if she’d just spit on his expensive leather shoes. But she’d managed to hold it together for the rest of the interview. She was sure she was going home tonight. She’d done the hard work. Now, she just needed the payoff.

However, she couldn’t help gazing at Prince Viktor with a tint of remorse as she lined up with Joy and Jezebel in the lobby of the lodge, beneath a grand stone fireplace that spanned two floors. Yes, he had a set of killer fangs in that gorgeous mouth of his. Yes, he was a prince looking for a royal immortal bride. But something inside of her had connected with him and made her wish for more. But if wishes were nickels...she’d have enough silver to drive away an entire horde of vampires.

She had to keep her eye on the prize. A ticket home and out of this strange nightmarish land. And safety for her dearest friend. Those were the goals.

Stasia had dimmed the lights in the lobby so that only a few carefully placed spotlights and dozens of warm candles lit the area. On a tray in the middle of the room lay two white lilies. The flowers of death. It figured.

Behind it stood Prince Viktor, his face an impassive mask of stoicism. On her right, Joy twitched, her fingers moving in a nervous dance. Jezebel stood deadly still on her left, occasionally flipping her beautiful hair over her shoulder and flashing Viktor a dazzling smile. She was milking her last moments with all her might, which made Cate shudder with silent laughter.

“Alright, folks.” Stasia waved from behind a camera. “This is the elimination ceremony. Only two of you will enter the next round of dates. One of you will be sent home. If Vik calls your name, please step forward and receive a flower.”

Cate inhaled deeply and pressed her lips together. She felt Joy’s hand reach for hers and they clasped their palms together.

“The first name I’d like to call...” Viktor picked up the first lily. He spun it around in his fingers and it flopped dangerously from side to side. “...is Duchess Jezebel.”

Jezebel hissed with excitement and lunged forward, her dangerously low cut black evening gown with silver beading swishing around her ankles. She accepted the flower from the prince and kissed him on the cheek, leaving behind a red lipstick stain. Her pointed look toward Cate told her that she was gloating already. She didn’t even have a ring on her finger and already the vampiress was hearing wedding bells.

Viktor’s lips had pressed together into a sour frown. With the pad of his thumb, he wiped off the lipstick remains and glanced at the two remaining women. Cate could’ve sworn she felt his gaze linger on her, making the heat rise in her stomach.

Joy squeezed her hand. Only one flower remained. Although Cate felt assured that the flower belonged to Joy, she couldn’t help the racing of her heart as Viktor delicately picked up the last one. He held it tenderly on the palm of his hand, the petals brushing against his skin.

“The last flower goes to...” He bit his bottom lip.

The snail’s pace of his decision was forcing her to shift her weight from foot to foot to relieve the anxiety. Come on, already. That flower belonged to Joy. He and everyone else in this room knew it. Why torture the poor girl? Just hand it out already.

His smoldering gaze lifted from the flower and settled on her, causing a warmth to blossom in her stomach. “It goes to Cate.”

The air went out of the room. Cate gaped at him, the blood draining from her cheeks. She felt Joy squeeze her hand again and pull her into a hug. She hugged her back, feeling like the world’s biggest cheat. This had been Joy’s childhood dream. Not hers. She deserved to be with a prince. She deserved that lily.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered into her ear. “I thought it would be you.”

Joy pulled back, a warm smile on her face. Her ringlets bounced as she shook her head. “No, it was never me. He likes you, Cate. Don’t waste this opportunity. You never know where you’re going to find love.”

She gave her another quick hug and then went to say goodbye to Viktor. After a few whispered words between them and a warm embrace, Joy waved goodbye to the crew and hurried off the set.

Cate’s heart was still pounding in her chest like a jackhammer. What was she going to do now? Her plans had been riding on this elimination. She’d played the fool out there in the snow, brushed the prince off, and even rudely pried into his private life. What else did a girl have to do to dump a vampire prince?

She watched out of the corner of her eye as Viktor waved off a drooling Jezebel and hurried from the room, leaving her wilting flower on the tray.

Things had certainly taken a turn for the complicated.

And to make matters worse, part of her didn’t feel all that bad about it.