Vela Heartwhisper's Arc

Chapter 11 of 25

Benbenek loved her now. He had held her true face without flinching. But love was not the thing that saved her. Vela stood by the crystal heart fountain after the spy was hauled away, and the truth pressed in. Two nights left. Her handlers wanted proof of a finished mission. She had a king's heart and no way to show it. If they doubted, they would wipe her mind and start again. She needed a witness her handlers would trust. Her talking rocket could carry a message, but a message could be faked. She needed a person. Someone from outside this planet. Someone her organization would believe. She thought of the hospital ship lit against the dark sky, and the officer who had once exposed her in open court. She found Captain Pluto near the fountain, waiting as if he expected her. His purple uniform gleamed. He had named her a stranger before everyone. Now she needed his word. "You told the court I don't belong here," she said. "I'm asking you to tell my handlers I finished what I came to do." Pluto studied her. "They erase agents who fail. I've seen it." He tapped the saturn pin on his chest. "A ship's captain's log is sworn record. My handlers respect it. So might yours." He would log Benbenek's love as fact, but he wanted something first. "Prove it to me. Not with words." Two others sat near the water. A quiet man in a blank mask, writing in a small book. Beside him a pale winged woman, her fairy wings folded, watching the couple who could not stop the wanting. Vela knew them from the market nights. Asher wrote letters to no one. Scarlett Nightbloom hungered for a love her thirst always ruined. "Ask them," Asher said, not looking up. "They saw the king walk out here for you. Twice." He closed his book. "He looks for you like I used to look for someone. That look doesn't lie." Scarlett leaned forward. "I would kill to be looked at that way." Her red eyes fixed on Vela. "He came to this fountain. He spoke your name to the water. We heard it." Pluto's face changed. Two outsiders, a heartbroken man and a starving fairy, both swore the same thing without prompting. That was testimony no handler could dismiss. He pulled a device from his coat and pressed it. "Recorded. Two witnesses. King Benbenek's love, confirmed and sworn." He looked at Vela. "I'll transmit it to your organization tonight. They'll have their proof." Vela's chest loosened. She had her evidence. The mission would read as complete. Then Pluto frowned at the device. "Signal's blocked. Something's jamming the channel from the forest." He turned toward the trees. "Severin. He doesn't want your message sent. He wants you erased before you can protect the king's right hand." Her proof existed. She just couldn't send it.