Page 89 of Kingdom of Today
“And you think we learned nothing from our failure?” Bitterness hardened her voice, making the words as sharp as blades.
I rapidly blinked. Okay, so, I’d touched on a sore subject. Got it. “Why would you pick me?” She’d already hinted, but I wanted the reason(s) stated in full detail.
Her lips quirked. “Two reasons. You are Cyrus’s chosen, and Astan is mine. But right now, the only thing that matters is stopping Soal before he ends us all, your people included. So I’ll make a deal with you. Accept me, and we will reign beside Cyrus. His agreement is already secured.”
Already secured?! “No,” I snapped. “That’s a lie.”
“Refuse me,” she continued, “and I’ll merge with Lolli. She’ll be the one at his side, and you’ll be dead.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Guard your thoughts, for they pilot your heart and decide your life.
—The Book of Soal1.20.4.23
I didn’t recall walking away from Briar Rose or falling asleep, and yet, the next thing I knew, I opened my eyes to find myself in bed with Cyrus. We lay side by side, facing each other and still dressed in our formal wear.
Cyrus’s eyes were closed. He remained so still.
His agreement is already assured.
Anger sparked and swiftly escalated into fury. On top of everything else, Briar Rose was a liar. But what was that prickling sensation on my cheek? I craned my head.
A scowling Domino stood beside the bed, his ghostly hand tapping my face. He dropped his arm to his side. “There’s a problem.”
Instant sobriety achieved. Heart racing, I jolted upright. “What happened? How’d I get here?” The bedroom I shared with Cyrus.
“Use the rift inside this castle and be at the Rock in nine minutes,” the librarian commanded, speeding past my questions. “Both of you. It’s a matter of life and death.”
His harsh demeanor and stark warning sent my nervous system into a tizzy. “How are we supposed to get past the—” I pressed my lips together, going quiet. The librarian was already gone.
Argh! Did the matter involve the plot against Cyrus? I patted his cheek, frantic. He reacted not at all. “Cyrus. Sugar bear. Focus on me.” The words “a matter of life and death” echoed inside my head.
When he failed to respond, I patted with more force. “Cyrus.”
Nothing.
I bent my head to press my lips to his once, twice. I mean, it worked in fairy tales.
Well, well, it worked in real life too. As he blinked open his eyes, I did it again and again. Kiss, kiss, kiss. “Wake up faster,” I commanded. “We’re on the clock.”
“Arden?” he rasped, and relief washed over me. He eased upright and looked around. “We’re in our room.” Confusion drenched his words. “The last thing I remember, I was speaking with Lolli.”
“And I’d like to hear all about the chat while we’re walking. I’m not sure how we got here either, but we’ve got to be at the Rock in roughly eight minutes. Domino said it’s a matter of life and death.”
Cyrus’s eyelids narrowed, but he nodded. “All right.” He kicked his legs over the side of the bed and stood.
I did the same, my skirt falling around my ankles. My knees quaked, the reality of our situation growing heavier as a chime sounded from somewhere in the palace. Anyone could have done anything to us, and we wouldn’t have known. At least we hadn’t lost much time, night’s darkness evident through the windows.
We exited the suite. Still no guards in the hall, not ours or anyone else’s, but the meta dogs were back, patrolling in pairs.
My heart nearly stopped when one looked directly at us. It gave no reaction, however, and moved on. Oookay. Had Domino hidden us from cameras?
As Cyrus and I made our way through the winding walkways, avoiding the dogs, I kept time, counting the seconds.
“Circling back to your visit with Lolli,” I muttered, tracing the curve of the voice scrambler I might not ever remove.
He breathed deep as we turned a corner. “Lolli claims she isn’t the one who shot you. That it was a royal behind you. A high prince.”
