Unveiled (6 page)

I’m lost in Xander’s eyes, wanting to kiss his soft lips as soon as Silas leaves the tent, but then a thought springs to mind. “Wait.” I glance at the map. “Don’t we have someone on the inside now?”

Silas shakes his head. “Larkin was our only plant.”

Xander speaks up. “No, Fallon said Micha mentioned two in court.”

“
That’s right,” I say. “Silas.” I look at him. “Please bring our good friend Larkin here so we can question him.”

After I was made leader of the Rebels two nights ago, I had Larkin brought back to the camp and placed in the holding tent. He couldn’t go back in as a plant, his loyalties were questionable. For one, he was furious that I was made leader instead of him. And two, he was even more furious that Xander was my first in command. But I couldn’t kill Larkin. That was the first of Micha’s rules I threw out. However, I couldn’t let him loose to cause trouble for us, either.

Silas grunts. “I hate that guy.”

“
Yes, but he knows who we still have in court,” I say. “And hopefully this person will be of greater use to us than Larkin.”

“
Agreed,” Silas says. “I’ll be back within the hour.”

After he leaves, I take Xander’s hand in mine and stare at our laced fingers.

“
What?” Xander asks, brushing my hair from my eyes. “You look like something’s troubling you.”

I keep my eyes down, away from his. “Is this truly what you want?”

I gave him his mother’s letter shortly after Micha’s demise. Xander has had to face so many things all at once—his mother’s death, discovering Hart is his father, and the fact he’s a prince. More things than any one person should have to handle. He chose to join the Rebels and help lead us to a free world. However, I can’t help but wonder if he understands what he’s giving up by not claiming his birthright.

I release a heavy breath and ask him again. “Are you positive this”—I tap my chest, repeating the action he used with me—“is what you want?”

He lifts my chin, and I finally look into his dark eyes. “Always,” he says.

I smile as he presses his lips to mine. And in this moment, I know that we’ll find a way to be free. Live a life not dictated by others. We’re together. We’ll face whatever comes our way.

And as he pulls me closer to him, removing all my fears and doubt, I know I’ll never have to question him again.

Bio:
Trisha Wolfe is the author of the YA Steampunk/Paranormal Romance DESTINY'S FIRE
(O
mnific 2012)
. Her published short stories have appeared in YA literary journals and Fantasy magazines. She's the creator of
YA Bound
, a book blog for the promotion of YA authors. And she's currently working on a novel with the characters from UNVEILED. Check out her website www.
TrishaWolfe.com
for more on her books and short stories. Follow her on Twitter
@TrishWolfe
 for updates.