Page 63 of Kingdom of Today
An automated voice repeated the same phrase five times. “All ranks report to the auditorium.”
The executioner stood with smooth grace and rebuttoned his jacket. “Dress Lady Roosa’s wound. Until we speak again ...” He strode from the apartment.
“You stabbed yourself?” Cyrus snapped, popping up and rushing to collect the first aid kit.
“I kept it superficial.”
“Still unacceptable,” he grumbled. As gently as possible, he cleaned and bandaged me as I’d done for him.
“Any idea what’s going on?”
“No. But it’s not good for us. That much I can guess.” He pressed a prolonged kiss to my lips and took my hand. “Do not leave my side.”
On the walk to the auditorium, I didn’t see Domino, but I sensed his calm confidence, as if he traveled with me. I welcomed the presence of such a strong ally, a fact I kept to myself. No need to complicate an already-complicated situation.
We traversed hallways, elevators, and security points, other soldiers rushing in the same direction. All paused to salute Cyrus as they passed. Aggression powered an electric current in the air.
Shadows slithered over every statue. The essence of Astan—the Madness. But they were thicker than usual, nuzzling small cracks I’d not noticed before. Dismay worked through me.
The closer we came to our destination, the denser the crowd became. But no matter the number of bodies clogging a corridor, people hastened out of the way, soon creating an open path for us. A perk I couldn’t lament.
We entered the auditorium, a place I’d never been. Bleachers encircled a center stage, with chairs stretched across a podium. Lolli sat between Felix and Summit. Each of them watched us, unabashed. Summit displayed his usual mocking grin. Mr. Vyle sat among them, but he was busy speaking with a trio of guards.
Cyrus continued forward, as if he intended to take me up there with him. No way, no how. I dug in my heels, forcing him to stop and face me. “I want you with me,” he said.
“That isn’t wise, and you know it. We’ll cause an unnecessary uproar. Go,” I said, freeing my hand and waving him on. The soldiers around us did their best to pretend they weren’t eavesdropping. “I’ll see you after.”Or rather, after I completed my scheduled patrol of the “pritis mines,” which should kick off immediately following ... whatever this was.
Rather than argue in front of others, he nodded stiffly. I pecked his cheek before darting off. Many eyes followed my progress up the bleachers. I claimed a seat near the top, watching as Cyrus stomped up the dais. He went straight to Felix, who held his palms up in a gesture of innocence before switching chairs.
Cyrus sat, leaned in, and snarled something at Lolli. She paled but swiftly pasted on a brittle smile, trying to act as if nothing troubled her.
This was how he “handled” her? I almost shouted, “Not good enough.”
Roman and Winslet plopped into the open seats beside me. He took the left, she took the right. Miller joined us, easing beside Winslet. Each addition surprised me.
“What’s going on, Ardie?” Roman demanded, acting as if he hadn’t ignored me for days.
“I don’t know,” I replied, unable to stop the flash of memories. Roman, in bed with the woman who had tried to murder me. “I really don’t.”
“First, we should all take a moment to recall I pegged her relationship with the high prince while she denied it.” Miller spread his arms, jubilant. “And let’s not forget her dalliance with the emperor and the guards he assigned to her. So? What’s it like dating both grandfather and grandson?”
Roman leaned over and punched him in the stomach. “Enough.”
“You’re setting yourself up for heartache, you get that, right?” Winslet patted my shoulder as Miller gasped for breath. “From rumors I’ve heard over the years, relationships between royals and common gentry never work.”
If I said I wasn’t worried, I’d be lying. I’d read my book. But I had no desire to share any of that. All I could do was shrug.
Mr. Vyle approached the podium, and the crowd quieted. “Welcome to the new day. I understand yesterday was tough. We lost forty-three of our best.”
A pool of regret and sympathy welled.
“The good news is,” he said and grinned, “we also identified twenty-seven glowers hidden among us.”
Gasps blended, mine included.
“Behold.” Mr. Vyle motioned to someone beyond an exit, and guards marched in, leading a group of bound, battered soldiers. Gashes littered their exposed, soot-streaked skin. I noted swollen eyes, cut lips, and limps. A chain connected one prisoner to another.
Boos rose from the audience, but I remained quiet, my stomach roiling. This. The reason for the drugged smoke. A plan straight from the CURED playbook. Capture the weakest Soalians, parade them before men and women who’d just fought advanced feeders, and frighten anyone who’d been considering switching sides. Maybe CURED even hoped to incite older glowers into revealing themselves with protests.
