Residents want to be like humans, and while some humans aren’t interested in relationships or falling in love, many of them are. So does that mean some Residents form bonds with one another? Do some of them want families?

It never occurred to me to wonder whether the Prince of Victory had a romantic heart, artificial or otherwise.

“If I can be there, I will, Your Highness,” I say at last, and the joy in his eyes is as bright as the sun.

We take another turn through the gallery, and when I’m certain it’s only a matter of time before the Legion Guards return, I excuse myself and leave the prince to his palace.

32

EVEN IN THE DARKNESS, I recognize Gil’s mess of brown hair. He’s wearing a white button-up shirt for a change, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and his signature black pants.

If I weren’t behind him, I’d never have spotted him. He moves through the trees like a whisper—hardly there at all.

He vanishes into an area heavy with silver birch, and I hurry to catch up with him. But when I turn the next corner, I can’t see him anywhere. Frowning, I gaze around the woods, wondering how I could’ve lost him so easily.

“You’re not a very good spy, you know.” Gil’s breath tickles the back of my ear, and I spin around so quickly I nearly crash into him.

He pulls back, the amusement on his face clear.

I scowl, trying to hide my embarrassment. “I wasn’t spying on you.”

“Weren’t you?” He lifts a brow, and I’m sure the corner of his mouth curves.

“No,” I insist. “I was on my way back to the Colony.” I cross my arms, frowning. “What are you doing out here anyway?”

“Scavenging,” he answers simply. “What’s your excuse?”

“I needed the fresh air,” I lie. “If you’re really out here looking for materials, then where’s your bag?”

He doesn’t blink. “I guess I dropped it in the woods. What were you doing at the palace?”

“What? I wasn’t—” I clamp down on my words, irritably. “How did you know that?”

“I didn’t. But thank you for enlightening me.”

“Well, I’m not the only one with secrets,” I blurt out almost defensively. “I know you’re out here doing something secret for the Colony. You and Ahmet have been disappearing for weeks.”

Gil narrows his eyes. “I’m here on orders. I doubt you can say the same.”

“I’m helping a friend,” I say exasperatedly. There’s a long silence. “Are you going to tell Annika?”

“Did you blow your cover?”

“No.”

“Did anyone see you?”

Prince Caelan flashes in my mind, and I hesitate. It’s enough to make Gil sigh.

“I was careful,” I argue.