Rise: Populations Crumble, Book 2 by Gandy, A. (read book .txt) 📕

monarchy bill up to a vote sooner than expected. I know there’s nothing I can do, but I can’t stop watching regardless. It could be any day that the vote will be over.” The strain in his voice breaks my heart.

I reach over and grab his hand. “We just need to get your mind off of it. Do you still want to hike today, or do you want to go back to the cottage and take a day off? I can kick your butt at Scrabble again, if that would help,” I say, giving him a cheeky grin.

“Okay, Mrs. Smarty Pants. You didn’t kick my butt; you beat me by a few points. But no, we should hike still. We’ll have a Scrabble rematch later.” He smiles, and it’s nice to see him distracted from the political storm that’s brewing.

He finally eats, and we head out for the day. The nip in the air is more pronounced with each week that passes; before long these hikes won’t be comfortable in a light jacket. Hopefully we find Josephine before it snows.

We’ve been walking for nearly an hour when something hits me. “Patrick, Atlas’s drone was shot out of the air by a guard. What are we going to do when we run into those guards? Play dumb? There’s no reason for us to be so far off the beaten path, and they’ll be suspicious.”

“Yeah, we need to not run into the guards if at all possible. That’s also part of the reason we’re hiking every trail. That way, if we are caught when we start to stray, we can say we were out looking for new areas to hike. I’m also hoping that there will be enough traffic near the area that we might be able to spot a small trail to follow. If there are guards, there is traffic in and out of the area daily.”

He makes a good point. Those guards have to eat, and do shift changes, and go home like everyone else. Thinking of the logistics, the nagging worry of what will happen to the four of us if we’re caught rears its ugly head, again. I force it down for the hundredth time. The urge to run away and find safety is strong, but I won’t give up on Josephine.

“Don’t worry, we’re nowhere near the area today. We’re saving the hikes closest to those coordinates for the end of the week when Atlas and Nell can join us again. So, these hikes are just for fun.” He grins at me, and I appreciate his lightheartedness despite all that’s going on. No matter what’s been thrown at us, Patrick stays positive. And he supports me. He really is a great guy.

“Thank you for helping me look for Josephine. I know you didn’t really know her, but I can’t let it go. I need to know she’s okay, one way or another.”

He stops in the middle of the trail, and turns to face me. “Sadie, you don’t have to thank me for doing the right thing. I agree with you, something weird is going on here. It would be irresponsible for us to not try to find out. I might have to lead this whole country one day, and how can I claim to have people’s best interest at heart if I let women vanish out of a government-sponsored program?”

“There are tons of people in office right now who aren’t here in the woods with us hunting down a single woman. You’re going above and beyond, whether you think so or not.” Not to mention, someone higher up had to approve of whatever is going on here.

He runs an agitated hand through his hair. It’s gotten longer since we met, and he’s starting to get a floppy, boyish look about him. “Haven’t you figured it out yet? I’d do anything for you. Go anywhere, be anything you need. You’ve got my heart in your hands. I love you, Sadie. I know I haven’t told you yet, but I’m trying to show you, one day at a time. I meant it when I said I would regain your trust. I will work until the day I die to be the best man I can for you.” His gaze is piercing, and my breath catches in my throat.

He loves me? Warmth floods my heart at his admission. I stare back into his deep blue eyes, and in that instant something inside me clicks into place. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“You said—” I pause, suddenly nervous to ask the question that’s eating at me.

“Please don’t be afraid. You can ask me anything, tell me anything. I meant what I said. So, let it out, whatever it is.” He takes my hands in his, and a crisp breeze plays with the ends of my braid.

“You said until the day you die. Did you mean that? You want this marriage to be long term, not just the three-year requirement? I’m not a political wife, Patrick. If you don’t get made a prince this time, there’s a good chance you will next time. I’m not cut out to be a queen. But, I’m having a hard time going all in if this is only going to be temporary. I need to know . . .” I swallow hard. “I need to know if I have to protect my heart, or if I can trust you. Forever.” My voice is barely a whisper at the end, and I drop my eyes to his chest.

He’s quiet for a moment, and my racing heart skips a beat when he drops my hand.

Oh, no, please don’t tell me you want to divorce at the end—

His hand is gentle as it cups my cheek. “Sadie, please look at me.”

I force my eyes up to his, and I’m sure he can read my fear and uncertainty plain as day.

“I am in this with you for the long haul. One hundred percent, every day, every hour, every minute of the time