Burning Bridges by Nadege Richards Read Free Book Online Page A

the window. “ Echo, what is taking so long! ”
    He was first to break the embrace , and as the feet grew between us, a cold rush filled my lungs, leaving me speechless and confused. The desire to know this boy was stronger now than ever .
    I sighed. “ This isn ’ t over, ” I said to him.
    He smiled wryly, picking up the shovel to finish the day ’ s work. “ Yes, Princess, it is. ”
     

 
     
     
     
     
    S I X
    Ayden
     
    B y the time King Valentine was dead and gone, this nation had evolved into something wicked and vile . Kylon, Thediby, Delentia, and Siphon ’ s City belonge d to New Haven and the Warriors. Shadow Hills, Loracre, Prylyn, and Raycliffe remained with the Hunters. Eight cities and two havens all divided by a single border, in which rules not only controlled the amount of steps you took in a day, but was powerful enough to threaten your life, your family, and what little freedom you had.
    Painfully, as the Princess walked away from me and I discreetly watched her leave, I felt the urge to break every one of those rules and throw caution to the wind. It wasn ’ t conscious thinking, I knew, it was just impulse and being caught up in the moment with her. In reality, I despised her and her wretched family with a burning passion. Rules didn ’ t apply for them; they were shown mercy and appraised with every step they took. Time was nothing of value; life was nothing but a game.
    As for us—the unlucky chumps who ’ d lost this game of life over and over again—our days were measured by the breaths we took, tallied by scars and tears. Time was of the essence and every move you made was watched.
    Rules , I thought to myself with a shake of my head. Some rules they are .
    From around the store I could hear the Princess and her parade getting into her coach . The Queen was loud , of course, shouting things about posture and perfect etiquette. I had the urge to watch them leave, but instinct told me better. I had a few minutes left of work and I ’ d planned to stop by Giovanni ’ s afterwards. I had no time for distractions.
    I shoveled the rest of the dirt into the flowerbeds and carried the wheelbarrow back to the shed. Wiping the sweat from my forehead, I glanced around the small garden with a sigh. Gardening was the all time low. I knew I had hit rock bottom. I worked seventy-two hours a week, and yet the income was barely enough to put food on the table. Father ’ s debt with the King seemed to be going nowhere any time soon and Mother was too ill to work. Luck— again, that was the only reason why any of us were still alive.
    “ I ’ m leaving now, Miss Othman, ” I called to the store owner, making my way through the back door. The place was oddly quiet and empty, so I walked to the front desk where I was told to leave the shed ’ s keys . Today was only my first day and I knew I didn ’ t like the job. The woman barely looked at me twice before she barked at me to get to work.
    The stack of crisp bills and gold coins lying open in the cashier made me pause . I scanned the store for the owner or even a single customer .
    I was alone .
    I knew it would be the only time I ’ d ever see so much, the first and the last. It called out to me, pleading with a seductive comm and to take it and never think twice about the damage. Doubt sought out for me, but the pull of greed laughed wickedly as it drew me nearer to succumbing. I tried to convince myself that it was for my family, a onetime thing. I would pay Miss Othman back. I would.
    I cl osed my eyes for a brief moment and cursed myself for what I was about to do, and gathered the money in my pocket. My hea rt palpitated at a dangerous pace as I left the keys on the desk and left the store as fast as I could.
    I took all the alleys I found to get back home, not wanting to chance running into a guard with what I presumed was over a hundred thousand dollars in my pocket. Now that I had done it, I felt shamefully guilty for breaking a vow