Page 2 of Kingdom of Today
The air between us crackled, filling my nostrils with his intoxicating, ambrosial scent. There was no man more striking than Cyrus Dolion, especially when he cranked up his smolder like this. From the dark shadow dusting his firm jaw, to the large handprint branded on the side of his face, to his heavily lashed eyes, aquiline nose, and soft lips, he exuded pure confidence. But then, he was a warrior to his core. Absolute control radiated from every inch of his lean, muscular form, now decked out in fatigues.
“You’ll be safe,” I said, a demand and a request rolled into a plea. Behind him, windows revealed a whizzing underground tunnel illuminated by pritis light. Every few seconds, a clock flashed the time remaining until we reached Fort Bala. A familiar destination amid unfamiliar circumstances. Our first time back since the Incident. “Yes?”
“I’ll be as safe as you’ll let me be,” he vowed.
Not the response I’d expected. “I have no intention of endangering you.”
“Are you sure?” He leaned in, erasing what remained of my personal space, ensuring I burned in the flames of his searing heat. “Let me start by saying I’m not attempting to manipulate you. I’m being honest about what will happen if you stir up trouble during the investigation into my father’s death. I’ll do anything to keep you safe, even risk my life.”
My bones melted to the consistency of warm butter, which I’d recently sampled and loved far too much. “I’m going to be a model student. You’ll see.” At Fort Bala Royal Academy, I studied as a lady-in-training, the lowest rung of CURED’s military forces. But I was now a double agent, no longer loyal to the Citizens for Unified Reform, Education, and Defense. I worked for Soal, their greatest enemy. Best not draw any attention to myself. Well, other than what I would garnerwhen news of my romantic relationship with a certain high prince leaked. “Guess that means you’ll be extra safe.”
“A nice change of pace since meeting you,” he teased.
I snorted and gripped his shirt, wrinkling the material. The train and its bumpy track rocked us closer together. “Now that we’ve got that covered, put me out of my misery and kiss me, Cyrus.”
“Oh, I will kiss you.” Agonizingly slow, he lowered his mouth to mine. A torment and a temptation all at once. But he didn’t claim my lips with his. Instead, he rasped, “Just not now. I prefer to take my time.”
“I’m not rushing you, honest!”
“No,youaren’t.”
“Two minutes out,” an automated voice announced over the intercom.
“Ah. Okay.” Regret set in, but I rallied fast. I had tons to do today, and pouting didn’t even make the podium.
Cyrus gave my brow a sweet peck before shoving a hand in his pocket and withdrawing a small velvet box. My breath caught. Um ...
He lifted the lid, the case’s hinges opening with a soft whine to reveal a barely there necklace with small, clear stones that reminded me of waterdrops. His knuckles brushed my skin as he secured the piece around my neck, sending delightful shivers raining over the ridges of my spine. “This blends into your skin, preventing theft. Never take it off. It will distort your voice whenever you’re being recorded.”
Very cool. But. “Won’t that be suspicious?”
“It would be suspicious if youdidn’twear it. All royals and their closest associates take such precautions.” He tapped one of five rings displayed on his fingers. “This is my distorter.”
Okay. All right. “Thank you for looking out for me.”
“Always.” That said, he severed contact, pivoted, and stared straight ahead. All hint of softness vanished from him, leaving a hard, shudder-inducing expression behind. Truly the stuff of nightmares. “We’re ready for what’s coming. We’ll be fine.”
“You’re right,” I agreed with a nod. Last night, we’d discussed and compared our stories, then practiced being interrogated.
“We’ll befine,” he repeated, as if I’d protested.
My sweet, protective Cyrus. I shifted to his side, offering what comfort I could. Difficult to do when our lives depended on our coming performances.
In only twenty-four hours, both our worlds had turned upside down and inside out. From cementing our unlikely romantic relationship to killing his father, the king. Yeah. The Incident. We were the ones responsible for the death of Tagin Dolion, and there was no going back, only forward.
The awful action had saved me from certain death, yes, but it had also ushered in a whole new host of troubles. And not just Cyrus’s conflicted emotions regarding the loss of his father. Now, CURED must crown a new king of the United Provinces of Ourland. A position of unequaled authority and power, answerable only to the emperor, who answered only to a god named Astan. Not that the public knew of the otherworldly immortal operating behind the scenes.
Cyrus was one of seven high princes eligible for becoming king. Considering he was a double agent like me, locked in a secret war between Astan and Soal, the god of all gods, Cyrus’s victory would absolutely, beyond any doubt, facilitate necessary change worldwide. But his loss could spell our ruin.
“I sense your growing anxiety, Pink.” He kept his attention on the clock. “Remember the expert teachings of your extraordinary instructor.”
“That’s a task easier thought than implemented. Last night, I read the royal handbook,” I admitted. “If you opt not to throw your hat into the king ring, you’ll remain a high prince, able to help Soal in ways no other person can, but you’ll fall under the authority of an unknown, possibly bigger threat than your father. If you do it and win, we can defeat Astan at last. But if you lose, you’ll be stripped of your royal title and kicked out of the army. We’ll forfeit the unfettered access we requirefor victory.” He couldn’t even hobble the competition. To strike against another candidate without the emperor’s permission meant certain disqualification. “But no pressure,” I rushed to add with a wince.
“High stakes ensure nonserious contenders are weeded out.”
“Can we afford to take the risk? Everything has changed.” Our circumstances. My allegiance. My outlook. All of my goals, hopes, and dreams. My verypurpose. Three days ago, I’d left the base as Lady-in-Training Arden Roosa, mostly loyal citizen and dedicated cadet, but I was returning as a determined spy and willing traitor. While my mistakes in the days to come wouldn’t cost us the war, theycouldusher in my death. Or his.
“Great risk, great reward.” He notched his chin. “Consider the possibilities, not the complications, or you’ll crumble before things get difficult.”
