Page 28 of Powerful

I struggle to hide the relief flooding to my face. He never talked about what she was to him. And I’m selfishly thankful for their relation and nothing more.

‘We ran away from my parents, started living onour own from that moment on,’ he continues quietly. ‘She’s the only person who’s been there for me. The only one who helped keep me alive while I hid in the shadows, terrified that someone would find out what I am.’

He takes a step closer, swallowing what little space remained between us. ‘That is why I have to do this. I can’t let her die. Not after she spent years of her life saving me.’

I’m quiet for longer than he likely expected. I watch him squirm under my scrutiny before finally saying, ‘Why did you run away?’

He shakes his head slightly. ‘That’s a story for another time.’

‘When?’ I say, sounding harsher than perhaps I’ve ever been. ‘You’re here to say goodbye, aren’t you? So, don’t lie to me, Mak. There is no other time for me to finally get to know you.’

‘There’s not much worth knowing,’ he murmurs.

‘Fine.’ I stare him down with the pointed look I learned from my mama. ‘Then I think we’re done here.’

‘You want to get to know me?’ He rips the mask from his face, revealing the strong features hidden beneath. ‘Iknow that not a single person has convinced me to care about them before you.’

‘But Hera—’

‘Hera’s family,’ he corrects. ‘But you… you’re the embodiment of everything I am not. And yet, here I am, crawling back to you as though I’ve left a piece of myself behind.’ He slowly lifts a hand, and I hold my breath when his fingers run down a loose curl. ‘And it scares the shit out of me.’

‘So,’ I breathe, ‘what exactly are you saying, Mak? I mean, in the simplest way possible, tell me what—’

‘I regret not buying that blue shirt from you, if only so I had your attention long enough to convince you that red suits you better. I regret not telling you how much I like it when you blow those bangs out of your eyes, or the way you clap after finishing a row of stitches. I regret smothering every smile you made me want to give you. And I regret not telling you the truth. But most of all, not saying goodbye.’

My heart plummets, sinking into the stomach filled with butterflies. I can’t say a thing, can’t move an inch as he leans towards me and—

Footsteps echo from the hallway outside.

We jump apart, eyes flying to the closed door andthe growing sound of steps behind it. Mak fastens the mask back onto his face, his expression far too stoic for our situation.

‘You need to go,’ I whisper urgently. ‘Imperials never come in here and if whoever that is sees you, they will know something is going on.’

‘I need to get Hera,’ he says evenly.

‘They will catch you.’ I plead with him, frantically trying to make him understand. ‘For all we know that could be Kai out there.’

‘Adena—’

‘Go. Please,’ I beg. ‘There is no need for both of you to die.’

The footsteps grow louder with every second spent arguing.

He shakes his head. ‘Then I have to come back tomorrow for her.’

‘You can’t.’ My eyes are pinned on his. ‘They guard the contestants’ doors the night before a Trial. They would stop you before you could even make it to her.’ He opens his mouth to argue, but my whisper quiets him. ‘Please, Mak. Don’t regret this too.’

He stares at me for a long, unblinking moment. And right when I think he’s about to make a horribledecision, he strides over to one of the many windows leading to the ground outside. Before he phases through to the open air beyond, he turns to murmur, ‘Come see me. Please. I don’t think I can handle losing both of you.’

And then he’s gone, melting through the wall and into the night.

I have just enough time to take a steadying breath before the door swings open.

My mouth drops at the sight of the man in the doorway before my knees bend into a curtsy. ‘Your Highness! Um, hi – sorry – I wasn’t expecting you or else I would have—’

‘Not been here?’ The future king laughs lightly like I’ve seen him do so many times with Pae.

‘Maybe?’ I admit with a hesitant smile.

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