She’s also right that I haven’t given her a chance to trust me in turn. I drop her hands. I’m not used to working with anyone this closely, onsomething this important.Kingis a lonely title. No one—not even the other Lightlark rulers—could understand the responsibility I have.
Trust is foolish. As king, it is also dangerous. Especially because this Wildling has given all signs that she is my enemy. It’s time to find out if she is, once and for all.
“Are you going to divulge what I tell you to Grim?”
Silence.
Italmosttells me what I need to know, but I need to hear her say it. I need to hear her say the word.
“No,” she finally says.
I wait for the bite of bitterness, the poison of a lie.
It never comes.
Relief and confusion set in. This means my assumptions about her have been wrong. But if she isn’t working with Grim, why is he helping her? Why did he come here in the first place? What is her plan?
I know nothing. That much has become very clear. All I know is, that in this moment, Isla Crown is not lying to me.
So, I decide tell her the truth. “I’m looking for Lightlark’s heart.”
She blinks. “Its what?”
I tell her about it. I show her the oasis we have landed in, filled with plants from across the entire island. I watch as she studies each one, then tells me what living thing the heart is most likely tied to.
She knows a lot about plants. Her knowledge is impressive. Useful.
And even when she calls me a lunatic when I suggest we have to fly out of the cave, even when her nails dig into my skin and she screams into my ear as I lift her into the air, even as she mutters threats and curses into my skin, even as I leave her to walk alone—so damnedfrustrated—I don’t regret for a moment asking her to work with me. Not really.
And that, perhaps, is the most dangerous realization of all.
PAIRING
My friends are waiting for me in my room when I return.
I sigh. “Is this truly the best use of your time?” There are about a thousand things we each need to be doing right now, during the Centennial, even at the cusp of daylight.
Zed’s feet are on my comforter, so now I have to burn it. He nods before taking a sip of tea that Enya has clearly just brewed. “Yes, actually, this is exactly where we think we should all be. Don’t you agree, Enya?”
She’s glaring at me from a chair in the corner of my room, near the balcony doors.
What is it with women being mad at me today?
“Just get on with it,” I say, looking over at Calder, who smiles faintly, as if he would rather be anywhere else but here.
“You chose the Wildling as your partner,” Enya says.
I should have expected this. “I did.”
“Why?”
“Why do you think? I haven’t found the heart in decades, even with all of you helping me. She knows nature better than anyone on this island.”
“Does she?” Enya asks.
I narrow my eyes. “What are you implying?”
“Nothing. Just that she seems far more occupied with putting you in danger, than with helping you.”
