Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 127722 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 639(@200wpm)___ 511(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127722 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 639(@200wpm)___ 511(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
“Girl, you might die, so open up.”
I released a sigh and opened my mouth.
She put the bite of chicken into my mouth, waited for me to chew, and then served me more food. We did that for a while in total silence. Her watching me, feeding me, and making sure I stayed awake.
When the plate was clean, she set the tray aside. “Feel any better?”
“Yeah, a bit. My headache is already going away.”
“Good.” She glanced at the door like she expected Ryker to walk through it, and when he didn’t, she turned back to me. “Were you able to get a dagger?”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be. When it’s my turn, I’ll try.”
“I’m sorry this is happening to you. I grew up thinking the lottery was real, that citizens of Delacroix really got big plots of land and enjoyed the harbor at sunset. How naïve I was…”
She turned back to me, her arms crossed over her chest. “It’s not your fault.”
“I didn’t say it was. I’m just saying that it’s shitty. Really shitty.”
“Yeah.”
“I hope your family is okay.”
“Me too,” she said quietly. “I hope they didn’t wait for me.”
“I’m sure they’re alright. We’ll get out of here, and you’ll see them again.”
“Hopefully.”
The silence came, filling the void as we both waited for my brother to return.
I stared at the side of her face, admiring her soft blond hair, her sharp jawline, her pretty features yet humble eyes. “It’s none of my business, and I’m not trying to get in the middle of anything, but…my brother is a good guy.”
She slowly turned back to me.
“And as much as I hate the lottery and what we’re doing to innocent people, I understand how the real world works. People would rather do the easy thing than the hard thing. Doesn’t mean they’re terrible people. It just means…there’s not a better solution.”
“It sounds like you’re justifying it.”
“Not at all. In fact, my husband and I intend to take the Kingdoms then defeat Necrosis for good. That way, we don’t have to live like this anymore.”
“Your husband?” she whispered. “I didn’t realize you were married.”
“Yeah…it was recent. About a week ago, actually. Don’t mention it to Ryker.”
“Why not?”
“Because he’s going to be pretty angry about the whole thing.”
“I’m a vault—your secret’s safe with me.”
“Thanks.”
“But everything you said just disproves everything you said before that.”
I cocked my head, unsure of her meaning.
“You said people will always do the easy thing, not the hard thing. But you’re willing to do the hard thing.”
It was never my intention to paint myself as a hero, as someone who was brave. “You should take my words with a grain of salt…because my intentions aren’t totally altruistic. It’s the only solution I can find that spares my father’s life and gives everyone the lives they deserve.”
“How does this spare your father’s life?”
“Because my husband wants to kill him.”
Her eyes widened.
“It’s a long story…”
“How do you plan on taking the Kingdoms?”
“Not sure yet. This brilliant plan is still in the beginning stages, and I have to escape first if I intend to fulfill it.”
“You think your husband will come save you?”
“Maybe. But I’m not going to wait around for that.”
“Good.” She gave a slight smile. “Because I can’t wait to get out of here.”
“You know, I haven’t had a chance to talk to Ryker about all of this, but I’m sure if I did, he would help me. I understand you’re upset right now, as you’re entitled to be, especially when everything is still a shock, but I know he would do the right thing.”
She dropped her gaze.
“And he did come down here all by himself…”
She stayed quiet.
“So, he’s nothing like King Rutherford. Nothing like my father. I just hope you give him another chance.”
Her eyes flicked up once more. “He had every opportunity to tell me what the lottery really was…and he didn’t.”
“Probably because he assumed you would never win it.”
“But still, he could have warned me.”
“And if you told other people, that could have caused a panic and a riot.”
“He should have trusted me—”
“Would you honestly have kept that secret?” I asked. “Because you’re angry with him for keeping this secret. So if you kept that secret, it would make you a hypocrite. Right?”
Her arms tightened across her chest as her lips pressed tightly together. It was obvious she was searching for a comeback but failed to find one. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“Then cut him some slack. I know how he feels about you.”
“Feels about me?” she asked incredulously. “It was just a fling that barely had a chance to burn.”
“Must have been a pretty good fling…since he came all the way down here.”
“Guilt. Obligation. Something along those lines. Besides, it’s not like this was ever going to be a relationship. He’s the son of a duke, and I’m the daughter of a blacksmith. He’s supposed to marry one of the girls at court. I’ll probably marry a farmer or something along those lines.” She looked away, either to hide the pain in her eyes or avoid the pain in mine.