Page 113 of Kingdom of Today
His gaze slid over me—and iced. “There’s something I wish to do first.” He gulped back what remained of the champagne, set the glass on the counter, and closed the distance.
My pulse fluttered. Whatever he intended ...
He didn’t utter another word. Just lowered his head and slammed his lips to mine. I reacted on instinct, opening for him as I’d done countless times before. Using my culpability to his advantage, he poured the champagne down my throat, ensuring I swallowed it before he thrust his tongue against mine once, twice, three times. He lifted his head and smiled coldly. “Now we’re ready.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
This day, don your armor and take up your weapons, for the battle is upon us.
—The Book of Soal2.10.6.10
As my former fiancé led me through the castle, I felt as if I floated in a dream. Clouds somehow both light as spun sugar and as dense as fog swept me up in the most delicious, effervescent dizziness. Thoughts loosened, desires unmoored, and inhibitions drifted into the ether.
“You drugged me,” I said, and a little laugh bubbled up.
“Just a bit.” He pinched his fingers, all sheepishness and charm.
My sweet prince. I could almost pretend he was Cyrus again and all was well. “I’m going to defeat you,” I told him, beaming a sunny smile and batting my lashes at him.
He snorted and flashed an indulgent smile I’d missed. “I like you like this. Soft and silly.”
“Wrong. You don’t like me at all.” He couldn’t. “Someone who likes me doesn’t drug or threaten me. You’re more Astan than Cyrus.”
“Impossible. I told you, sweetness. We are one and the same, equal parts of each other.”
“Repeating a lie doesn’t make it true.”
“I can’t dip into his memories without permission, and he can’t dip into mine.” He performed a little spin to gently bop my nose withoutmissing a beat, as playful as Cyrus. “We know only what we think together.”
That couldn’t be right, but okay. “If any part of Astan is mixed into any part of you, that means you are no longer one hundred percent grade-A Cyrus Dolion, and that’s who I love.” My Cyrus was strong and brave, protective and playful. Integrity lived and breathed in his veins. He didn’t murder, lie, or cajole.
“Now, now. I don’t hate you for being bonded to Domino, do I?” he asked, ever reasonable. “Just give me a chance to prove my affection for you is as genuine as always.”
A sliver of me wanted to say yes, but deep down, I knew that choice would open a door I’d never be able to close. “What was in that champagne, anyway?” I tried to force myself to concentrate on what mattered. I had a plan to execute ... probably?
“Nothing dangerous. Just a little something to whisk all your troubles away. The same substance Felix used.” How amused he sounded. Smug too. “You enjoyed it then, and you are enjoying it now. Admit it.”
“Enjoying something doesn’t make it enjoyable.” No, that wasn’t what I’d meant to say. Or even the crux of the problem.Focus.“You violated my trust.” Yes. That. And how did he know what Felix had done?
“I helped you, and you didn’t even have to ask. You’re welcome.”
Great. He made it sound as if I was ridiculous to question him. “You’re being deliberately confusing. Stop it.”
“Certainly, but only because you asked so sweetly.” He caught my hand, giving my knuckles a soft kiss, sending warm tingles skimming up my arm. Still holding on, he paused at the threshold of a vast chamber and spread his free arm. “Welcome to paradise, Lady Pink.”
Paradise. A previously unvisited yet not unfamiliar ballroom I’d seen in Briar Rose’s vision. The beauty stole what remained of my wits. A veritable garden of delights for more than my eyes. That floral scent. I breathed deep. Like olfactory champagne, sweet but effervescent.
Colorful blossoms flourished around every statue. Light tinted with shades of azure and emerald streamed in from the domed ceiling, flowing between vines that created a flowery canopy. Petals of pink, blue, yellow, and red twirled down, down to line the floor. I ached to roll among them, covering myself in their perfume.
“The suns shine again,” Cyrus said, clearly pleased. “How could that happen, if I were as evil as you’ve been led to believe?” He didn’t give me a chance to process the question but led me forward. “Look. See.”
The open balcony doors welcomed a warm breeze that rippled through the curtains and vines as we stepped outside. Gripping the swirling metal railing, I peered out at the world beyond. Two suns glistened upon the smooth moat below, spotlighting an empire of marble bridges and drowned citadels. Remnants of another city?
Awed, I pulled my gaze to the horizon, where the domed force field glittered. Lovely.Appalling.Memories attempted to break free. This wasn’t the “paradise” he promised. I just couldn’t remember why.
“Say yes to Briar Rose, Arden,” he urged, his voice a caress. Cyrus twirled me in front of him, wrapped his arms around my waist, and eased us into a slow dance, evoking a yearning I’d too often suppressed. The stars blazed to life in his eyes, inviting me to stare. “I’ll give you peace, safety, and security. More than that, I’ll love and adore you.”
As I peered up at his sunslit face and drank in his adoring expression, the strength of his embrace provided a welcome respite from the constant barrage of battles I’d faced. It was difficult to care that he was the host of Astan, the worst of humanity. He just ... he looked and felt and smelled like my Cyrus.
