Page 68 of Kingdom of Today
She wasn’t done. “One day, I’ll be queen, and you’ll be punished for your insolence.”
“I warned you what would happen if you threatened her.” Cyrus whipped out his arm and grabbed her by the neck.
Her eyes widened, her mouth opening and closing with only broken sounds escaping as he squeezed.
All conversations ceased, every eye on us. Shock created a dam in the river of my peace. He exhibited the same unnatural sharpness he’d displayed on the bus.
Something was wrong with him. “Cyrus,” I said as gently as I was able, wrapping my fingers around his wrist. “Let her go. Please.” This kind of violence wasn’t like him. He exuded the same kind of hatred I’d felt for Mr. Vyle, and it helped me realize the danger of such emotions.
Cyrus blinked fast, as if trying to clear his thoughts, and released her abruptly.
As she gasped for oxygen, he popped the bones in his neck and asked me, “Why don’t I show you to our room?” He sounded almost pleasant, but strain gave him a harsher edge.
“That would be nice, thank you,” I said, eager to get him alone.
“This way.” He slung an arm around my waist and led me away from the gaping group.
We passed through a shimmery curtain of air, entering a moving hallway. I gasped as the entire space swung to the left before settling, ending in a winding staircase.
“What just happened?” I squeaked, flattening a palm over my racing heart.
“The palace readjusts when new guests visit, ensuring they can’t memorize the layout. For the emperor’s trusted few, however, it returns to the original floor plan.”
Wow, wow, wow. “It’s, like, alive?”
“I honestly don’t know.”
We traversed a wide hallway with multiple doors, each flanked by armed guards. Meta of various sizes patrolled here and there. They were ferocious up close, with metal teeth and claws.
I cringed as one sniffed at me, only then noticing the portraits on the wall. The emperor, holding a jewel-studded goblet in toast. Tagin, the former king, with a spear. Some high princes. Felix, with two axes. And there was Cyrus. How distinguished he looked, decked out in a royal uniform, holding a bejeweled sword.
“Hey, what were you and Felix discussing?” I asked.
“We agreed to be the last two royals standing.”
A secret alliance.Smart.
Cyrus led me to the farthest entrance, which opened automatically as we approached. We swept inside an opulent chamber with antique furnishings I’d only ever seen in history books. Polished wood, fine fabrics woven with bold colors, and massive portraits of only Cyrus hanging along papered walls.
As soon as the door shut behind us, he heaved a heavy sigh and scrubbed a hand over his face. “I didn’t mean to go so far with Lolli. One moment I intended to respond verbally, the next I held her throat in my hand, whispers of ‘kill her’ filling my head.”
Only one explanation made sense. “Astan.” I took his wrists and guided his arms around me, stepping closer to put us chest to chest. “He’s influencing you.” Exactly as Domino had said.
“I’ll work harder to guard against him.” Cyrus tangled his fingers in my hair and angled me to ensure I looked only at him. “Tell me again you’ll never leave me.”
“I’ll never leave you.”
A tinge of relief. “I need to kiss you right now, but I would be kissing Domino, too, would I not?” He searched my gaze. “I can almost see him in your eyes.”
“He’s here with me, yes.” I refused to lie to him.
With a huff of resentment, Cyrus released me. “Let me show you what we’re up against.” He stalked to a set of double doors, opened them, and motioned me through.
I passed him, ignoring my dismay and stepping onto a wide balcony. Our room occupied the top floor on the east side of the palace, allowing us to peer down at the grounds and beyond the dome.
My mouth hung open in disbelief. From this vantage point, I saw the battlefield, the berries now shielded by that protective barrier. A sea of feeders attacked the contingent of glowers assembled there, the two engaged in fierce combat.
“We’ve got to help them,” I said, white-knuckling the railing. “Maybe there’s a switch to shut off the frequency. Lolli could have it. Her men set up the equipment needed to create the shield.”
