Phoenix by Dawn Rae Miller Read Free Book Online Page B

to my office tomorrow.
    We leave the Opera, and because of the chilly night air, scurry to the secure transporting zone.  
    "Oh no," Kyra says again. I'm beginning to think she needs a new catch phrase.
    "What is it?"
    "Now they're saying you think you're better than everyone else."
    I stare at her in disbelief. "Why?"
    "Because we left the show. The performers are upset."  
    I close my eyes and shake my head. When I open them, I say, "For all they know there could have been a State emergency."
    Kyra shrugs. "I don't know what to tell you."
    I can't win. No matter what I do, it's wrong. "Well, I don't know either. Why do I have to have all the answers?" My voice is louder than normal.
    "Because," Kyra says, wrapping her coat tighter around herself. "You are the Head of State. You're supposed to make the right decision all the time . It's what people expect of you."
    An empty hollowness fills me up. I'm always supposed to be right. I am the State, and the State doesn't make mistakes.
    And yet, I make them time and again.  
    Maybe taking control of the State wasn't such a good idea after all.  

    #

    "How'd it go?" Beck asks. He's sitting in a plush chair reading a tablet. His hair is damp, and he smells like soap. I inhale deeply before giving him a kiss on the cheek.  
    "I think I caused an international incident."
    He sits up, and concern creeps into the lines around his eyes. "What happened?"
    "Well first, there was so much food, Beck. Tons of it. All fresh. I asked where it came from, and the server said the Ag Centers, but we both know that can't be. We're struggling to meet production demands."
    "So what happened?" he asks, holding my hand. His warmth flows into me, and my heartbeat steadies a little.
    "The gossip feeds said I was a greedy glutton, so we left."
    He cocks his head and gives me a quizzical look. "What happened next?"
    "I was accused of being snobbish for leaving the show."
    Beck exhales loudly. "So much for fixing your image problem. You're going to have to do the press conference for sure now."
    "I know."
    I study Beck's easy demeanor, and it's impossible to believe this is the same person Henry accused of being erratic earlier in the day.  
    "Come a little closer," he says, and I curl in his lap. Beck runs his hand over the sheer back of my gown. "It's going to be okay. Right now, they're just testing you out. Remember all the things they'd write about Malin?"
    I nod. Mother's every move was analyzed. Her hair and clothes studied; her smile or lack there of, a blessing or an insult; her attendance, approval.
    I don't know if I can live like that.
    Beck wraps his arms around me tightly. "So have you decided?"
    "Decided what?"
    He chuckles. "Are you Team Beck or Team Ryker?"  
    I push on his chest and laugh. "Not you too. Please tell me you haven't been reading that garbage."
    "It's fascinating."
    "No, it's not." I shift so that my knees are on his thighs, and I'm looking down at him. "There is only one Team, and that's Team You and Me."
    He reaches up to me and pulls my face down toward his. "I like that." He kisses me softly.  
    I'm messing up everywhere else in my life, but Beck and I are okay.  
    We're going to be okay.  
    I hope.

CHAPTER EIGHT

    "I'm not convinced this is a good idea," Henry says, looking up from a tablet covered in gossip feeds. "It's one thing to give the people a good look at you before the Ball and for them to see you are fit to govern - especially after last night - but the Beck and Ryker issue..."
    I reach for my Uncle's hand. "If you coach me correctly, I'll do fine. There is nothing to worry about. Besides, wasn't this your idea?"
    My uncle slowly nods his head. "Things have changed."
    Annalise stands with her hands on her hips. "The rumors are rampant, Henry. This is the best place to do it. We all know." She presses her lips together. "We can control the story if Lark plays along."  
    A small camera Annalise secured buzzes overhead – practice for the real event.