Page 23 of Powerless

The prince needs guards to drag prisoners to the Scorches.

Triumph begins to bloom in my chest, but I stamp it down.

Something’s not right.

Normally, the town would be gossiping for days about who was banished and why. Thecriminalswould have been paraded through the city, drawing a crowd to watch them walk to their death. But I haven’t heard a single word uttered about this. Odd, considering they usually flaunt the banishes, use them as examples, show them off to warn the kingdom of what happens when you cross the king.

He didn’t want anyone to know about it.

In a matter of seconds, I have all the information I need.

“You were somewhere...hot. Sandy.” I squeeze my eyes shut before adding, “The Scorches.” I peek up at him to find his eyes searching my face. “You banished someone. Or...a group of someones.” At this, he stiffens, ever so slightly. His cool facade cracks. And in that small action alone, he’s just confirmed that I’m correct.

And that I shouldn’t know any of it.

“But...” I pause. “You don’t want anyone to know that do you?” I can’t suppress my small smile as he peers down at me, looking both impressed and confused.

“And what emotion are you sensing all of this from?” he asks quietly.

I blow out a breath before taking a wild guess at what the future Enforcer could be feeling, if the man has emotions at all. “Is it...guilt I’m feeling? Worry?” He seems to still at that, giving me silent conformation that I must be at least partially correct. “Was thatproofenough for you, Your Highness?”

I am well aware of the dangerous game I’m playing. And yet, I can’t seem to forfeit my feelings of hatred for him and everything he stands for.

But the smirk that lifts his lips tells me that he likes the game too.

“Plenty. Well,” he exhales, shoving his hands in his pockets, “like you so kindly pointed out earlier, I should thank you, again, for helping me, darling.”

“Paedyn.”

His dark brows raise slightly in question.

“My name is Paedyn, not darling.”

“Paedyn,” he echoes with a small smile, testing out the word. His deep voice makes my name sound so rich, so regal, as if I’m the one with royal blood pumping through my veins.

We stare at each other for a moment, his icy eyes sweeping over my flushed face and doing nothing to cool it. “You know, I can enlighten you on another way to thank someone for saving your life.” I pause, suppressing a smile. “Repaying your debt.”

He tips his head back and laughs darkly. “Did you not get enough silvers when you robbed me the first time?” I shrug as he continues coolly, “Need I remind you that you said a simple ‘thank you’ would suffice?”

“Yes, a thank you wouldsuffice. Not satisfy. And, well, that was also before I knew who you were.”

He begins backing away all while reaching into his pouch to pull out a coin. With a flick, it’s flying towards me. I barely have enough time to throw out my hand and catch it as he says, “Something to remember me by.”

He’s several steps from me now, though his eyes are still locked on mine. “Oh, and darling?”

“Paedyn.”

“You were right.”

He takes another step backward.

I huff out a sigh. “I’m not sure I should even listen to what you’re about to say since you didn’t address me by my name which is—"

“Paedyn,” the sound of my name from his lips cuts me off, “the ladies do love me.”

And with a wink, he turns and strides out of the alley.

ChapterEight

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