Page 90 of Kingdom of Tomorrow
Rather than insult Miller in front of everyone, as he’d done to me, breaking my vow to protect my teammates, I said, “If it makes you feel better to think I was chosen because I’m sharing his bed, that’s on you.” I refused to let his accusation intimidate me. Granted, Cyrus’s dating hopes had played a part in my selection, but it also had something to do with the Soalians and my expertise with plants.
“Wow, Mills, wow.” Juniper tied her boot with extra force.
“What?” the soldier demanded, tossing up his arms. “I can’t be the only one who noticed their steam.”
“Making fun of me for sweating during a workout when I ran triple the laps you did. Not exactly a boss move.” I tsk-tsked.
He scowled. Several of our teammates threw towels at him.
“Leave her alone.” Lark tugged her hair into a ponytail. “You might also try thinking before you speak. Desire can be one-sided. The HP is royalty. Top tier. He has more kills and captures than anyone who’s ever completed the program. There’s no way he’d lower himself to consort with a lady-in-training.”
Um. Thank you?
“More importantly, Arden’s love life isn’t our business,” Titus announced.
“He’s right.” Roman approached and slung his arm over my shoulders, showing his support. “Say another word about her assignment, and you’ll earn us all an extra hour at the mines.”
Sign me up for that extra hour! But one by one, soldiers resumed what they’d been doing before my arrival.
“I’m worried about you,” Roman admitted at low volume. He bent his head, ensuring no one overheard him. “I believe your assignment is legit, but that doesn’t mean feelings won’t change with proximity. Just ... be mindful. The HP has a high body count off the battlefield too. From officers to our hot doctor.”
I stiffened, even though I had no right to care. I’d heard about Miss Soti, and I’d suspected Dr. Korey, but not others. “I’m really not sleeping with him.” And I wouldn’t. I’d never trusted a guy enough to risk being so vulnerable. Most breaks occurred at home.
Who wouldn’t want to speak with the much-desired wife of the high prince?Mr. Victors’s pronouncement drifted through my head, and I bit my tongue. Still not happening.
Roman released me and shrugged. “I’m only relaying what I heard. Knights, barons, and viscounts love pillow talk.”
Guess Cyrus wasn’t the only one with a high body count. “I appreciate you looking out for me, but there’s no need to worry.”
“Okay then.” Roman ruffled my hair, spurring a laugh from me. “Let’s go do our duty.”
“Yes, sir.” I finished strapping on an array of weapons. “Let’s.”
Together, we made the trek to our designated mine. Lights illuminated the windowless stone-and-metal enclosure built on the side of a mountain. Huge boulders and braces bracketed the mine itself.
We joined the current guards, and Roman called, “Everyone shadows a knight. Every hour, they’ll switch positions, and you’ll move with yours.”
I was one of two knights in front of the boulders nearest the cave’s darkened entrance. Titus claimed the second space, beating Juniper and Lark, and we exchanged nods of acknowledgment.
The knights didn’t speak to us, but noises spilled from the mine’s wide opening. Muffled voices. Hammering tools. Thuds. Signs hung from the rock face.
No soldiers past this point.
Stop! Authorized personnel only.
Unauthorized entry results in a fine and prison.
Do not Speak to Miners!
Cameras peppered the entrance, recording our every move. Thankfully, I didn’t need to enter the mine; I just needed a trolley to exit. But the first hour passed to no avail.
At the position switch, I moved with my assigned knight, dragging my feet to the second boulder, taking Titus’s place.Come on, come on.
“We shouldn’t have to do this,” Miller complained, standing beside the trolley door on the other side of the chamber, netter in hand. “This facility is protected from the outside. There’s never any action in here. And it’s not like feeders can touch the stones anyway.”
“It’s practice with minimal risk, so shut your mouth and do your job,” Roman commanded from the center of the room. He and his knight acted as lookouts from a center dais. “Remember what the HP said. Everything is a test, and we will be quizzed.”
“Bet Arden aces it,” Miller quipped, and a handful of our teammates snickered.
