She flinched at the mention of Kingsley, surprised Shapur even knew of his existence. ‘What of it?’
The warden hesitated. ‘Has Harlan told you of his part in what happened that day?’
Blake held the blanket tighter. ‘He was there when it happened. It was the first time I ever spoke to him.’
‘And what exactly do you think happened?’
Her eyebrows came together. ‘I saw what happened. The tunnels collapsed. My brother was still inside.’
He crossed his arms as he collected his next words. ‘I only tell you this to help you see what a future together would mean for you both.’
She waited for him to continue, her heart thudding in her chest.
‘It is Harlan’s job to defend those walls at any cost,’ Shapur went on. ‘So when it was discovered that merchants were moving beneath them and jeopardising the small amount of livestock this kingdom has, it was his job to stop it.’
Blake was no clearer on what he was trying to say.
‘He came up with a plan to locate every shaft and every tunnel. His men drilled holes to weaken them.’ He paused. ‘Harlan carefully coordinated their destruction.’
She inhaled and brought the blanket up to her mouth. Memories from that day poured in. She had been standing over one of the shafts when she met Harlan. He would have known it was there, known the entire time what she was doing. He might have even seen Kingsley enter.
She took a step back from Shapur and reached for the door frame for balance. ‘He knew there were people inside.’
It was not a question.
‘His job is to stop people moving between the boroughs. He did his job.’
She held her stomach, and the blanket slipped down one shoulder.
‘Your first moral dilemma, day one of meeting one another. Now imagine watching him discipline your friends and family, your community. Imagine the guilt if you left, moved into the nobility borough, and lived a privileged life. Imagine the distrust. Imagine trying to find new friends in a class above you. Imagine a lifetime of it.’ He sniffed, staring at her. ‘Now imagine the consequences for Harlan if he failed to do his job.’
Blake’s fingers had turned white on the door frame.
‘I am not completely without feeling,’ Shapur continued, ‘which is why I am here giving you the chance to end it before history repeats itself.’
She saw genuine grief on his face, but she was struggling to think past her own. ‘Forgive me. I wasn’t prepared for this conversation.’ Especially not the revelations.
He nodded. ‘You saved his life, and I am grateful for it. But whatever you feel, it will not be enough.’ Shapur turned on his heel and strode back to his horse without a goodbye.
Blake backed her way inside, pushed the door closed, and pressed her forehead to it.
* * *
Blake made it to the gate in under an hour, having run most of the way. She had no idea what the defenders on duty would make of the lone merchant girl trying to getoutof the nobility borough. It would be a confusing situation for all involved.
She was almost there when the light mist of rain turned to fat drops. Pulling the hood of her cloak up, she marched ahead.
‘Halt!’ a defender called to her as she neared the gate.
Of course he was suspicious of the woman on foot dressed in merchant clothing. Noblewomen travelled in carts and wore silk-covered shoes, not mud-soaked boots.
Blake stopped and pushed her hood back.
‘Hands up where I can see them,’ the defender called out as he approached.
She raised her hands. ‘I’m returning to the merchant borough.’
He stopped in front of her. ‘From where?’
