Page 10 of The Heart Trials

“Unload there.” He indicates a stack of crates against a loading dock.

“Uh, I’m supposed to meet with someone directly,” I tell him. “They said it was urgent. Sent this request in the dead of night, delivering it by hand.”

He takes the note, studying it again. “Wait here.”

The man who marches out of the residence several minutes later is definitely highborn. His shoes alone are finer than everything I own. Reddish-brown hair tumbles over his shoulders. He runs a hand through it as he approaches. The stitching of his coat shines like real gold, and a gleaming gem glitters from his left hand. He’s not just anyone at Court. Signet rings are worn only by the Benevolent’s family.

“My prince?” Eyes to the ground. I refuse to bow. I’ve never bowed to anyone, and I won’t start now.

“Look at me.”

“Lowborn don’t look at highborn in the eyes…my prince.”

“I’m not talking to the top of your head. Look at me. I command it.”

I meet his eyes. There is kindness in them. Not what I thought I’d see. “Yes, my prince.”

The curve of his mouth tells me I’ve made a mistake. “The prince is my cousin. I’m Lucent. And you are?” His fingers work at the fine detail of his family coat. The Skyborn crest is embroidered on his chest: a fist holding a heart.

“I think you know who I am,” I say, swallowing, hoping I haven’t been too bold. Hoping this isn’t a trap.

His brows bounce before he glances over his shoulder. “You received my request.”

“I did.”

“Show me.”

I unfold the note from my pocket. He glances at it, smoothing his hands on his pants one too many times. His long hair finally moves out of his face and there’s an odd look in his eye. But his stringy bangs sweep back over them before I can get a better glance. I stand straighter, watching our surroundings.

“Over here.” He guides me farther from his Mercyenforcers, farther from the exit. Once we are alone, he stands very close. I scour the ground for lines, for rules about where to stand. Three feet. Always. But there are none. I take a giant step back to put some distance between us, my heart thudding.

“I see crates of fish,” he says, eyeing my cart. “Where is what I asked for?”

“You must think I’m stupid.” I bite my tongue too late. Talking to him this way is going to get me killed. I lower my eyes, hoping it helps.

“Look at me. The request was clear.” He looks around, and a warning chill races up my skin. “You were supposed to bring it here.”

“Yes, well, I’d like to make it out of here alive.”

He fidgets with the ring on his left fourth finger, now avoiding my eyes. Like he’s lying. Like this actually is a setup.

“I don’t see what I want on you,” I say.

“I have it all prepared, but—” He glances over his shoulder again, and I swallow a dry breath. I don’t like this.

All caution leaves my body, reckless audacity buzzing through me. “I get what I came for. Then, I’ll take you to what you want. No guards. Just us. But we do it now.”

“Where?”

“Nice try.”

He scratches his eyelid, and the curtain in the window above flutters.

“Or I leave,” I say. “I haven’t broken any rules.”

“No. Please. I need this to work.” He whistles for his Mercyenforcers and then dismisses them. A metal transport glides to us. In the back are several steel drums. He pulls one open and gold gleams inside. I climb in beside him, my heart beating harder than it ever has. Loud enough I’m sure he can hear it. But his last words ring sharpest in my ears.

“Why do you need this to work?” I ask.