We sleepin most of our clothes, and I climb in the same bed as Ben. Maybe it’s silly to be crowded like this since there are two beds in the room. But it feels like I need it, and Ben appears relieved by my choice.
I lie against him, wrapped in his arms, and I feel better than I have since I got here. My mind is spinning so wildly I don’t think I can sleep, so I’m surprised when I drift off in only a few minutes.
Whether Ben sleeps or not is a mystery, but we’re still tangled together in bed when I open my eyes a few hours later.
“Is it time?” I ask groggily, lifting my head.
He’s awake. Maybe he’s been awake all the while. “Yeah. It’s time.”
There areCentral Cities guards at the main gate of the village.
It’s not unusual. Definitely not a sign of something bad. The president sends his guards out everywhere within the borders to maintain order and remind citizens of who’s in charge, ensuring no city or village or individual is thinking rebellious thoughts.
There are any number of reasons why there could beuniformed guards at the gate right now, and almost zero of those reasons have to do with me and Ben.
“It’s fine,” Ben murmurs, sliding an arm around me protectively, as if I’m the little wife I’m pretending to be. “It’s gonna be fine.”
“Yeah. Could be anything. Let’s not hesitate.”
We approach the gate, all smiles and a wave from me. “Good morning,” I say, giving them my sweetest, most innocent look. All this fake red hair and blue eyes and small figure really do work on a lot of men, so there’s no reason not to use them right now.
“You two are off early.” That’s one of the villagers who staff the gate, the pleasant and not particularly intelligent man who let us in yesterday.
“Got our business wrapped up early and didn’t want to intrude since the administrator is having a tough time.” Ben’s tone is exactly right—friendly but like he’s trying to be sensitive and isn’t particularly good at it.
“Makes sense. Safe travels to you.”
The villager is about to unlock the gate when one of the Central Cities guards comes over. “Who do we have here?”
Fuck. I have to bite back the word before I say it out loud. This guard isn’t suspicious. At least, he doesn’t appear to be. He’s a youngish man, and he’s leering at me in open appreciation while at the same time putting on a self-important, pretentious air.
Thinking he’ll impress me with his vital role in the running of the Central Cities.
“Just some traders leaving early.” The village guard looks impatient and a bit offended, as if the other man is questioning his ability to do his job.
“Everything’s in order with their papers?” The guard is definitely liking the looks of me. I wish I wasn’t wearing this silly short dress because the way he’s staring at my bare legs makes me feel naked.
“Yes. I checked them yesterday. They’re all good.”
The guard holds out a hand toward Ben. “Let me see them.”
Fuck.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Ben doesn’t hesitate in reaching into his pack and pulling out our forged papers.
They were professionally done. We paid a high price to obtain them because only high-level administrators are likely to recognize them as fake.
But still…
They’re not real. And there’s a chance someone else might catch on too.
I’m holding my breath internally while I giggle and rub my cheek against Ben’s sleeve. “It’s nice to know there are real guards around. Makes me feel safer traveling like this.”
This man is as clichéd as it gets. He puffs up visibly as he studies the papers. “That’s what we’re here for, younglady.” He hands Ben back the papers. “If you’re worried, I’m happy to escort you wherever you’re going. Where are you heading, by the way?”
Shit. This fool needs to give up and go away.
