Page 40 of A Kingdom's Heart
“Wait a moment,” Raven said.
I stopped and turned back toward her. “What?”
She crossed her arms, her tone sharper now. “Does this William
know your true identity?”
My throat tightened. “Not yet.”
“Not yet?” she repeated, stepping closer. “You didn’t tell him yesterday? After he ditched his duty for you?”
I looked down at the floor, the stone cool beneath my slippers. “I’ll tell him when I can trust him.”
Raven blinked, disbelief flickering across her face. “When you can trust him? Iris, he skipped duty for you. He’s already proven more trust than most men in this castle.”
“It’s different,” I said quickly. “If he finds out who I am, he’ll
act differently too. They all do.”
Raven’s jaw tighten. “So let me understand this,” she said slowly. “You’re about to sneak off against your father’s orders to meet a man who could get you both in deep trouble if you’re caught, and you don’t even trust him enough to tell him your name?”
The words hit hard. My chest tightened, and I felt heat rise to my face. I wanted to argue, but the truth was tangled somewhere between fear and longing, and I couldn’t pull it free.
“I don’t know,” I said finally. “I don’t know yet.”
Raven studied me for a moment. Her expression softened, though worry still lingered in her eyes. “Then figure it out soon,” she said. “Because I won’t be able to cover up for you forever, not for a third time.”
“I will,” I promised, though my voice didn’t sound as steady as I wanted it to.
She pointed a finger at me. “You owe me for this, Iris. Remember that. I am not dealing with any more of the king’s anger.”
A small smile tugged at my lips. “I’ll make it up to you.”
“You better,” she said, turning back to her work. “Now go before I regret helping you at all.”
I nodded and started for the door. My heart thudded faster with each step. Whatever waited for me beyond the castle walls, I knew I was already too far in to turn back.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
WILLIAM
I leaned against the old tree, the bark rough against my back. The same one that held the two swings, swaying gently in the wind.
The river moved slow beneath the morning light, quiet save for the soft pull of the current against the stones. I had been there for a while now, long enough for the sun to climb higher, long enough to start wondering if she would come at all.
Convincing Eric to go to Nestenwood without me had been harder than expected. He questioned me for half an hour before finally agreeing, but only after I promised him my Saturday sweets. That was no loss. I had never cared much for sugar.
What I did care about was whether she would show up.
Elara hadn’t sounded certain yesterday. Her voice had held that careful distance again, like she wanted to say no but didn’t know how. Still, I came. Just in case.
I leaned off the tree, scanning the edge of the woods again. The breeze rustled the leaves, carrying nothing but the sound of water and birds.
Part of me felt foolish for waiting. I was still in my armor, the metal warm under the sun, just in case anyone from the castle happened to see me. It was easier to pretend I was on patrol than
to admit I was standing here waiting for a girl.
I told myself I would leave soon. Another minute. Maybe two.
