Page 10 of Cold Heir

“You guys have any trouble tonight?” Liv asked, nodding toward the truck we stocked to the brim.

“None,” I shared, “which is why I think we should plan to meet again soon. Once we’re able to get the truck back from you, that is.”

“Perhaps, next time,” Silas cut in, “we could find a way to secure a decent ration of medication and supplies, too. If we’re able to make it happen, we can check in with you using the network.”

To my surprise, his generous offer was met with silence.

Felix and Liv shared another of their loaded stares, and I wondered what it meant this time.

“Listen,” Felix began. “We appreciate everything you two have done, but honestly, we discussed the possibility of this being our final meetup.” He lifted his hands in frustration. “It’s been what, two? Three weeks? At this point, we’re not even sure Cori is alive.”

The tension in his brow, his jaw, made it clear that hadn’t been an easy thing to admit, but of course they questioned it.

“What if I could tell you I’m certain Corina is still alive? Would you stay in this fight with us then?”

Liv peered up when I asked.

“How can you possibly give us your word about that?”

Taking a deep breath, I recalled Dr. Percival’s explanation. “The blood bond links all our lives,” I shared. “If one of us who’s partaken dies, the rest of us die, too. So … the fact that I’m still onthisside of the dirt means Levi and Corina definitely are as well.”

Liv’s expression was intense, questioning. “And you’re certain of this?”

I nodded. “I wouldn’t joke about something so important.”

There was a standoff between us while she seemed to consider my words. Her gaze slipped to Felix.

“Then, we’ll keep in touch.”

Hearing her give in to letting us help them further brought a sense of relief that defied reason. They weren’t our responsibility, technically, but that didn’t lessen our determination to take care of them.

“With how heavily guarded the medical houses are, getting meds will be a million times trickier than scoring food,” Felix warned. “You’re sure you want to attempt this?” The genuine concern that seemed to emanate from him with the inquiry was hard to miss.

“I haven’t asked questions, but I’m pretty sure there are a lot of people with your group. Am I right?”

A grave look seeped into Liv’s expression, and it was all the confirmation Silas needed.

“Then I’m sure you all could use the supplies,” he concluded.

“It’s just that … you’re risking a lot,” Liv reasoned. “And you don’t even know us.” She hesitated to meet my gaze again. “We’ve been in these situations before, and those who help us almost always end up wanting something in return.” She blinked and a bit of the distrust I’d hoped we overcame bled through. “I can’t help but to wonder what this will cost us in the end.”

Glancing toward Silas, I was unsure how to explain our new position in this scenario. It’d be nearly impossible to convince them that we—two princes who’d benefited from the current order of things all our lives—were looking to alter a centuries-old system. It was the incredulousness of it all that made me freeze.

“Theonlything this alliance will ever cost you,” Elle interjected, “is your trust.” I glanced toward her when she spoke in our defense. “Once the princes come through on this next mission, whatever debt you feel you owe, can be settled with real, honest, absolute friendship. Nothing more,” she concluded.

Liv’s gaze rose to meet mine again, a half-smile on her lips when she nodded. “Friendship … we can do that.”

With our business settled, Silas tossed Liv the key to the truck before he, Elle and I turned to leave.

“Hold up,” Liv called out to us, and I faced her only to find genuine curiosity in her eyes. “You really care about Cori, don’t you?” she asked.

It wouldn’t serve any of us well for me to lie, so I didn’t bother trying. “I do.”.

She walked toward the truck, twirling the keyring around her finger as she smiled. “Then I’d say we’re already friends.”

Chapter Four

Corina

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