Page 48 of Powerful

‘Not if I can help it!’ she calls, throwing a smile over her shoulder before disappearing down the hallway.

Ellie turns to face me as soon as she’s out the door. ‘You off to go see your boy?’

I beam. ‘That I am.’ Gathering up my cloth bag, I stride to the door with a blissful smile. ‘I’ll be back for the Trial tomorrow, don’t worry. Even though I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to stomach watching.’

After returning Ellie’s wave goodbye, I step out into the hallway and smother the urge to skip with excitement. I buzz with anticipation of our night at the Fort and—

And someone steps in my path.

It’s a servant. He’s young and timid and looking up at me uncertainly. ‘Oh!’ I exclaim. ‘Hello there.’

But he doesn’t return my politeness. No, he only offers me a single, rehearsed line.

‘The king has requested to speak with you this evening.’

CHAPTER 18Makoto

I’m shockingly happy as I head towards the Fort.

I can’t remember the last time I was this happy, even with Hera.

Hera.

It feels wrong to be enjoying life with her no longer in it, but I still mourn her every day, in any way I can. I see her in the smiling faces along the street, remember how her magic tricks used to be the reason for laughing children and enthralled parents. I hear her in the sharpening of a blade for how she used to beg me to let her do it when we were young. I smell her in the rain, a brewing storm.

She’s all around me, and yet, nowhere to be found.

I mourn alone. Quietly. Though I allowed myself a single night to break down in Adena’s arms.

But Hera is likely already forgotten by the people, just another victim of the Trials she had no chance of winning. I try not to ponder the part I played in her death or my failed attempt to save her.

It hurts too much. To think I fumbled her freedom. Our freedom.

I could never leave now. Not with Adena still here.

I elbow through the crowded street beginning to close for the evening. Bits of dull conversation fill my ears as I head for the familiar dead end.

I can’t help but smile at the sight of her colorful banner as it waves welcomingly at me. Something about it feels so like her. So comforting. So innocent and sweet.

Though she certainly didn’t kiss me that way.

Well, at first, maybe. But then she quickly met my demand.

The way her mouth moved against mine was hypnotic. And if she had asked anything of me in that moment, I fear I would have had no choice but to do it.

Stepping over the barrier, I take a seat on my borrowed side of the rug. I feel dirtier by the second.Paedyn need not worry about me permanently stealing her spot.

The thought flows into another, and I’m suddenly wondering if Adena has even told her best friend about me. But that thought quickly escalates to the more troubling one being that Adena hastrulytold her best friend about me. About my power. And the whole kingdom is buzzing about how close the contestant and future Enforcer have gotten over the course of these Trials. All it would take is a single slip of her words and the prince would know what I am—

I shake the trail of increasingly worrisome thoughts away. I’ve been ensured that Dena is a great secret keeper. Though, I have no sources to back up this claim.

I fidget on the rug, trying my best not to touch anything. Waiting impatiently for Adena to arrive, I pull the slim box from one of the many pockets on the vest she made. The lid slides off easily, allowing me to admire what lies within.

The needle is slightly larger than the ones I’ve witnessed her stab each finger with. The silver gleams, even in the dull light. I’m just able to make out the intricate, half-moon designs carved across the length of it.

I’ve never gotten a gift for someone. Not like this, anyway.

Not something that is filled with affection, given out of wanting rather than necessity.

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