“So that’s it?” I push. “We pretend to date until you get your answers and then what?Thenyou kill me?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. But like the truce… You don’t really have a choice, do you?”
Every instinct in me wants to push, force something out of him. Demand answers, threaten him, call his bluff. Just getsomething, anything, real.
But if I do that, go for blood now, I know I won’t win. I’ll just blow my leverage. And maybe the only shot I have at keeping Ezzy, Finn, and Rowan out of all this.
So I take a breath and choke down the instinct to push. Just two weeks. That’s all I have left—to survive this place, find the journals, and get out without anyone else bleeding for my mistakes.
I knew he wasn’t going to hand over answers that easily, he’s too calculated for that. But still, staying close, listening, watching the cracks form around him? Waiting for something or someone in his orbit to slip? That’s where the real advantage is.
I just have to play this right.
“Fine.” I bite out. “But if we’re doing this, it’s on my terms.”
He crosses his arms, gaze steady as that crooked grin slides back into place. “Didn’t think you’d make it easy, let’s hear them.”
“Rule one,” I say, tipping my chin. “You don’t touch my people. Ezzy. Finn. Rowan. Not with your hands. Not with your games.”
“Fine.”
“Rule two. No kissing. No touching. And you stay the hell out of my dorm.”
The corner of his mouth twitches. “Didn’t you like the rose? Clever, wasn’t it? Thorns without the bloom. Felt fitting. And the duck…” He tilts his head. “I thought you’d be happy to have it back. Whoever made it, impressive work. I’d been wondering how you were keeping that erratic magic of yours in check. Clever trick, but it’s just a patch—not a solution. And when it fails, which it will, you’ll have nothing.”
“Well, luckily, I don’t plan on sticking around here much longer.”
“Shame... Your magic could’ve been something.”
I ignore him and continue, “So we agree,” hands tightening at my sides. “No kissing. No touching. And you stay the hell out of my dorm.”
“Fine. Your boundaries, your rules. I’ll respect them.”
I blink, studying his face. Waiting for the smirk, the dig, the catch. But nothing.
“Anyway,” he continues, glancing out over the ledge, “are we done? Told you the view was worth it. Add it to your list of secrets. I’d rather keep this spot quiet, most people don’t know it’s here.”
“I didn't take you for the quiet, reflective type...”
“I usually come up here to draw.”
"You? Drawing?" The judgement slips out before I bother to filter it.
“Yes... you seem surprised?”
Makes sense why his handwriting was so elegant. Still...
“Would you blame me, given the past few weeks? You've not exactly made a good first impression, death threats and all. Just figured you were so busy killing or Reassigning innocent people that you wouldn't have time for...hobbies.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me that would surprise you, Bloom.” He nods toward the Southern Peaks. “You know what’s over there? Past those mountains? The old kingdom of Aurelia. What’s left of it, anyway. Ruins now.”
He uncrosses his arms, elbows settling on his knees as he leans forward. “I come up here to look at it. Remind myself what happens when power goes unchecked. The monarchy ruled by bloodline, entitlement dressed as destiny. People worshipped a name, a lineage. As ifthatwas enough to make someone worthy of ruling, it wasn’t. Chaos and war followed, and your people? They didn’t stand their ground; they ran. Watched it fall and walked away, let others clean it up.” His tone hardens. “History doesn’t stay buried. And if we’re not careful, it’ll claw its way back and crown itself all over again.”
For the first time, I see past the mask. Not arrogance, not mockery. Pain. Old and jagged, like something carried too long.
But it doesn’t stop the heat flaring in my chest.Ran.That’s what he thinks of us. That we fled while his people stayed and fought. We didn’t run, we refused to kneel. Refused to sign their damn treaty and call it peace.
“Hey, Goldie?” Lucien’s voice cuts around the corner, loud against the stillness.
