My Red Runner instincts force me to remain observant, although I don’t know what to do with this information. At the end of the passage is another door that accepts the prince’s handprint, which leads to an underground space where another armored personnel carrier stands next to a two-seater car with a solar top.
“Are we still under the palace?” I whisper.
He sets me on my feet. “This tunnel stretches beneath the grounds and leads to a passage on the other side of the navy barracks.”
A rush of dizziness makes my head spin, and I stumble onto the side of the car.
“Zea!” Prince Kevon wraps his hand around my waist and holds me steady.
“I’m…” My throat dries, and realization batters my brain.
The mission is complete!
I know the location of a secret passageway that leads directly to King Arias and I know how to access it. My gaze meets Prince Kevon’s worried eyes. The person I was at the start of this mission would celebrate this information, but I now just feel conflicted.
“Should I call Dr. Palatine?” he asks.
“I’m fine,” I rasp.
Still holding me by the waist, Prince Kevon opens the car door and helps me inside. I melt into the leather seats and sigh. He shuts the door and races to the driver’s seat. Guilt thickens my throat.
All this time, I’ve been blinded by his Echelon and have not noticed his heart. I could never betray someone who has shown me nothing but kindness and compassion, but I also can’t betray my people.
As he sits and taps commands into the steering wheel screen, I whisper, “You’re trusting me with a lot of sensitive information.”
He holds my hand. “Did you know that Garrett chose you?”
“Huh?”
Prince Kevon grins. “You practically fell at his feet in the Rugosa Square. He said you were the one.”
“Why?”
“Because you share some similarities with Rafaela, Garrett thinks you’re my type.” His head dips, his shoulders slump, and the car rolls forward.
He remains silent for several moments as we travel past the black van and through a dark passageway. Grief shrouds my heart for the girl I never knew, and I can’t imagine how deep it must cut to lose his friend. It isn’t difficult to work out that Prince Kevon was probably attracted to Rafaela, even if she couldn’t return his feelings.
Mom might believe that Gaia blesses us all, but I can’t place my faith in a goddess who would bestow riches on one Echelon while leaving others to suffer. Reaching across, I place my hand in his. “Rafaela’s in a better place, now.”
He nods. “I still can’t believe that woman would go so far as to murder an innocent girl.”
“What?”
Prince Kevon raises his head, confusion crossing his features. “It’s been all over the news.” He squeezes his eyes shut and shakes his head. “Sorry. You’ve unconscious. Someone in Lady Circi’s team arrested Prunella Broadleaf during the ball. She was also responsible for the attack on you.”
My mouth falls open. “What did she have against Rafaela?”
“Everybody’s speculations are different. Some say she wanted to sensationalize the show, others say she wanted to impress Montana, but I think she saw Rafaela and you as threats to the running of the Princess Trials.” He sighs. “We’ll learn the truth when the Minister Channel broadcasts her hearing live today.”
“That’s…” My brows draw together. Nobody would be deranged enough to murder to keep the show going. “Aren’t those motives flimsy?”
“I thought so at first, but after seeing footage the Lifestyle Channel put together of her very public breakdown, I’m not so sure.”
The car moves about the same speed as a horse and cart, so it feels like we’ve traveled nine-hundred feet. It turns left and advances up a gentle slope.
“It just seems too convenient,” I mutter.
“I don’t follow,” he says.
“Prunella Broadleaf is the unwanted wife of a powerful man, and everyone thought Rafaela was the favorite to win, even though the Chamber of Ministers wanted someone else. Blaming Prunella gets rid of two problems.”
He caresses my hand, making my breaths quicken. “But you were always my favorite.”
I dip my head. “Kevon, I can’t—”
“You’re cautious, and we’re only a few days into the Trials. After the ordeals you have suffered these last two nights, I’m not surprised you’re hesitant.”
Guilt lances through my chest, and it’s as sharp as Berta’s blade. I push away the thought of the girl I killed in self-defense and focus on Prince Kevon. He is nothing like I expected of a Noble, let alone a Royal. He’s kind, compassionate, and listens to my point of view, even when he disagrees.
Prince Kevon has also shown me more affection and devotion than anyone outside my family. He’s also patient, even though he’s made his interest clear. My heart says he’s right for me, but sixteen years of living as a Harvester says he’s not.
“Those things I said when you were disguised as a guard.” I chew on my bottom lip, struggling for words. Light floods the windscreen, and I glance up to find that we’re traveling through an overground tunnel that opens up into a huge lawn. “I’m not in love with you.”
“I know,” he replies.
“What?” I turn to him and gape.
His dark eyes glisten with compassion. “No one can truly love a person they’ve known from afar. It’s only been a few days, and I don’t expect you to return to the trials to face the wrath of those girls.”
“But you want me to stay in the Oasis,” I reply.
“Very much.”
“Why?” I whisper.
He turns to me, his brows furrowed. “After everything we’ve experienced together, do I really need to explain?”
I nod.
Prince Kevon inhales a long, deep breath. He tilts his head up as though gathering his thoughts. “You’re so different from the girls I know. Always thinking about others, both as individuals and as a people.”
I gaze through the window as the car travels along a row of familiar-looking one and two-story cottages.
