princevillashotterex
Mercy frowned, yanking at the rope around her wrists and forearms. There was no way this is who she ended up with.
"I'm getting out of here, with or without you."
"No, you're not. We're staying."
"Why? Because Muscles over there promised to let you go home if you watched me?" She motioned an elbow towards Missile. "You can't trust him. He's made that much clear. "
They watched Missile, swinging beer around his mug and splashing his audience of endlessly attentive crooks and criminals.
"He already crossed you once. Why would he keep his word now?"
James grabbed his glass of water, tilting it in acknowledgement. "You're right. Takes a traitor to know a traitor, doesn't it?"
After a sip, he slid the bowl of soup away. His appetite had left him.
The girl just sat, dumbfounded. Suddenly, the rough ropes were only second on the mental list of things irritating her right now.
--------------------------------------------------
These two orphans' tale, competing for the nation's most valuable jewel, begins at the King's celebratory masquerade ball.
If it were up to them, it would've ended there too.
However, as their adventure continues, the secrets of the entire nation unravel rapidly, threatening to stir a war that could leave every kingdom in ruin. James, a calculated craftsman guided by his own self interest, collides with Mercy, a passionate (and impulsive) seamstress, on a journey that spells nothing but disaster. Eventually, they're forced to decide: save themselves, or save the very place that had neglected them for so long.