‘We’re not a couple,’ Juno answered so instantly that Jade had to smother a smile.
‘Are you certain?’ she queried gently. ‘You look really happy together in all the press coverage. And by the way, you’re doing a stunning job impersonating me. Better than I could do myself.’ Juno looked more at ease with people than Jade ever felt.
‘That’s not true, Jade. I’m just good at faking it,’ Juno said.
While Jade didn’t know much about relationships, she didn’t think that obvious chemistry with King Leo could be faked. ‘You’re not faking anything, Ju, you’re a natural,’ Jade said wistfully. And it wasn’t just that sizzle, it was those smiles with those people who’d come to greet them in Severene. ‘I always said Father was wrong not to consider you as his successor, and now I get to say I told you so.’
There was a moment of silence. ‘Aren’t you angry with me?’ Juno asked.
‘Why would I be angry?’ Jade asked, amazed. She was delighted to see her sister in her rightful place.
‘Because I’m not supposed to be in Severene? Because this swap was never supposed to get this complicated? Because I could end up completely screwing up Monrova’s relationship with her neighbours.’
Jade thought for a moment, then answered calmly. ‘No, I’m not angry about any of that.’ Because it had got complicated for her too, so quickly. ‘I’ve come to realise, seeing the press reports of you two, that Leonardo and I were never meant to be together. I’m really glad you persuaded me to come to New York.’
She’d realised she needed to slow down on that decision making. She was still young. She had time to think things through.
‘It’s been an eye-opening experience for me,’ she added. ‘I’ve discovered so much about myself and there’s so much more to learn.’
There was so much she wished she could learn with Alvaro. But she’d had her one night and it hurt to remember it was over. So instead she focused on her sister. ‘I also think it’s super cute that there seems to be something developing between you two.’
‘There’s nothing developing between us. Nothing permanent anyway,’ Juno murmured. ‘It’s just... There’s a lot of chemistry between us and I like him more than I ever expected to.’
‘Are you sure there’s nothing more between you?’ Jade asked softly. ‘From the press reports I’ve seen, he looks at you in a way he’s never looked at any of the other women he’s dated.’
‘No. There’s nothing more,’ Juno said, but she sounded unsure. ‘Jade, I just... What I need to know, the reason I called, is... If Leo and I jump each other tonight. I mean, he’s asked me and I... I really want to go for it. Because, you know, chemistry.’ Juno drew in a breath.
Jump each other? Jade chuckled inside at her sister’s choice of words. She guessed she’d ‘jumped’ Alvaro last night.
‘We’ve agreed it won’t mean anything beyond the physical. That it won’t have any political implications. That the marriage is a whole separate issue.’ Juno continued her rapid explanation. ‘But if you’d rather we didn’t... I mean, I don’t want to mess things up for you... With Leo.’
‘Juno, you’re not serious—what possible claim would I have on Leonardo?’ Jade almost laughed.
‘Well, you know, you were considering marrying him a week ago.’
Jade did laugh then. A cold marriage of convenience now seemed appalling. Now she understood what the sacrifice would be if she were to marry solely for political reasons. She couldn’t believe she’d actively been considering it—why on earth had she? And then she remembered. ‘The marriage was always just about securing a trade relationship and uniting our two kingdoms.’ Her ancient advisors had wanted it as a neat and tidy option. But it had been a way of avoiding personal uncertainty as well. ‘I can’t believe I ever thought that would be okay.’
‘Jade, you don’t sound like yourself.’ Juno asked, ‘Are you sure everything is going okay in New York?’
‘It’s... Yes, it’s been really transformative in a lot of ways,’ Jade said, trying not to let all her crazy thoughts explode out of her. ‘I’m discovering things about myself I didn’t realise. Not all of which I like.’
Her naivety. Her recklessness, tolerance, acceptance, her silence...and her selfishness.
‘What things?’ Juno asked. ‘There’s nothing about you not to like.’
‘I used to think the same thing.’ Jade laughed but she didn’t feel it. She’d thought she’d been so good, so dutiful...whereas really? She was a coward.
‘If something’s happened, Jade, you can tell me, or we could swap back. Now.’
‘No. I don’t want to swap back, not yet,’ she said swiftly. She didn’t want to end it for Juno already. And she needed to straighten out her own head before she headed home. She needed this time. So much more than she’d realised. ‘I’d really like to stay until New Year’s Eve, like we agreed. Plus, I don’t want you to miss your chance to jump Leo,’ Jade added with a choked laugh. ‘Unless you need to...’
‘No, I don’t want to swap back yet either...’ Juno admitted.
‘Listen, Ju, I’ve got to go.’ Jade made herself get moving before she confessed everything to her sister. ‘I’ve got a busy day ahead of me,’ she fudged. It wasn’t a complete lie; it would be a busy day recovering from the night of her life. ‘But whatever you and Leonardo do, or don’t do, you have my blessing. Okay?’
Her sister deserved some fun. Jade desperately wanted her to be happy.
‘Okay.’
But Juno had said she and Leonardo had agreed it wouldn’t be anything more than physical, that it was just chemistry, and now Jade knew that wasn’t as easy as it sounded.
‘But do me a favour,’ she added swiftly before ending the call with Juno. ‘Don’t underestimate your feelings for him. They might be stronger than you think.’
Because that was the fear gnawing inside her—that the reason she’d told Alvaro she was ‘so much better than okay’ was that it had been so much more than physical. And now, the desire for more with him still tempted her to risk everything all over again.
But she was Queen and she couldn’t. She could only be grateful that she’d had the night she had. Now, she needed to focus on herself. That was what Alvaro had shown her. She needed to speak up and strengthen her own damn spine.
Liberation swept over her. She and Juno had endangered themselves with this switch. But if she could time travel she’d choose to do the same again. No regrets. By the sound of things, Juno had none either. They could sort out any resulting mess once Jade was back home. But one thing was certain and it had been certain from first thing Monday morning. There was no way Jade was ever marrying King Leonardo or any other suitable prince her advisors recommended...