“Come back,” she said. He did no such thing. He ignored her, a specialty of his.
Her body was broken and tired—this was all she asked for in return.
This time, Isla’s voice shook with rage. “You ... you are a self-centered, heartless wretch.”
That made Oro turn around. He took a few steps back toward her and grinned meanly. “Is this your plan, Wildling? To try to win my heart by tormenting me?” His wide eyes searched hers, waiting. He was serious.
Isla had felt the sting of tears, but now she laughed. Breathless, infuriated, she laughed and laughed. She took a step forward and said slowly, so he could hear every syllable, “I have absolutely no interest in you whatsoever,King.”
She waited for him to call her a liar. To say she was just like the countless Wildlings before her who had undoubtedly also been instructed to seduce the king as part of their strategy.
Instead, Oro looked taken aback. Shocked. Was it really that surprising that a Wildling wasn’t trying to make him fall in love so she could steal his abilities and bring that power back to her realm?
Could he tell by her anger that she was telling the truth?
“Then whatareyou interested in, Wildling?” he demanded. “Why do you want access to my library? What are you looking for?”
She stood very still. And said nothing.
He took a step closer. “I have watched you. You are a chameleon, becoming everything everyone wants you to be, all of the time. Except aroundme—you don’t seem to give a damn what I think of you.” His gaze was fire. “The lands I have been entrusted with are dying.Iam dying. I will do anything it takes to break these curses. You, or whatever you are planning, will not keep me from that end.” He looked down at her so closely, it was as if he was trying to see right through her. “So, I will ask you again. What do you want, Wildling?”
The king was suspicious. And perceptive. He knew she was looking for something.
She had ruined it.
Hurt and a million other emotions pooled in her stomach. Her voice had never been so cold. “You are taking me to the library. Now.”
Oro’s expression did not change. “I will take you once we find the heart,” he repeated.
His tone was final. Isla knew he would not change his mind, and they were nowhere near finding the heart. She couldn’t wait until then. Not with the ball a week away. Not when Moonling nobles had nearly succeeded at assassinating her even before then. The handwritten note in the agora might have been a trick, but it was true. Shewasin danger.
“No,” she said, laughing without humor. She felt her sanity unspooling around her. “You know what? I’mdone.With you, with this plan.” Her voice became louder and wilder the more she spoke, but she didn’t care. “I have bled. I haven’t slept. I have been possessed. I have had the thorough displeasure of being in your presence for far too long. I amdone.Our deal is off. And guess what? I don’t need you to get onto your isle, King,” she sneered. “Unless you want to stop me?”
She kept her eyes locked on his. Daring him to deny her access.
He did not.
“Good. Perhaps I’ll go during the day, then,” she said, hands in fists at her side. She spoke her last words right in his face before passing him by. “That way, I’ll have your land all to myself.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
FIRE
Terra had been right. She had always scolded Isla and her emotions.
Your feelings will be your ruin,she had said countless times.
They made her weak. Vulnerable.
And now, they had ruined her plan at gaining access to the Sun Isle library.
She shouldn’t have gotten so angry at the king. She shouldn’t have expected him to be anything but insufferable.
Of course he would use her own words against her. Of course he would have a specter use her body for his own purposes yet deny her a simple request.
Isla had gone about it all the wrong way. She knew that now. But she refused to tell Celeste she had failed them. Again. Not when her friend had gone to such great lengths to secure the gloves.
She wouldn’t give up. Not yet.
