Page 25 of Kingdom of Today
“Arden?” she cried with surprise, as if a haze had cleared fromme.
We lunged toward each other and hugged so tight we might leave bruises. Domino stepped back, providing distance and privacy, while also surveying the reunion with curiosity.
“You’re here.” I laughed as I pulled back. “You’re Soalian.”
“I am.” A huge smile stretched from ear to ear. “I joined Soal’s army three days after you whisked me from my apartment.”
Then she’d joined three days after Tagin Dolion died.
“Tell me everything,” she urged. “What’s new with my sweet baby girl?”
No way I would burden her with the details. “Here’s a late, breaking headline. I need to get my eyes checked. Everyone but you is blurry,” I said, waving to the other occupants now settling in front of the majestic tree.
“That’s for everyone’s safety.” Mom chuckled. “Trust must be given to erase the shields.”
Um, I’d become a Soalian four days before her, yet she knew more than me.
“So you’re good?” she asked, clasping my shoulders and giving me a motherly once-over.
“I really am. And you?”
Another huge smile broke out. “Better than ever. Oh! There’s my friend,Beeeep,” my mother cried with all the happiness of a schoolgirl. “You’re gonna love her. Come on, I’ll introduce you.”
“Did you say ...Beeeep?” I asked, but she’d already rushed off.
I hung back, wanting to laugh and cry, and needing a moment to collect myself. Mom was here, and she was well, and she had a friend she trusted enough to share identities with. It was everything I’d hoped for her, and my heart overflowed.
“This is usually the moment I experience a new deluge of doom,” I confided in Domino as he returned to my side. And I should have. The thing with Cyrus ... But no. My delight remained. A miracle had occurred with my mother. A miracle could occur with the high prince too. Whatever was needed.
The librarian might have smiled, but the microamusement vanished so quickly, I convinced myself he’d experienced an involuntary muscle twitch. “There isn’t room for doom right now. You’re too happy.” Domino faced me, as if to bid me goodbye, but seconds passed, and he remained rooted. “What is it you so greatly admire about Cyrus?”
“Many things.” Remembering the feud Cyrus had mentioned, I asked, “What is it you so greatlydislikeabout him?”
“I don’t dislike him,” the librarian said, frowning. “Why would you think so?”
“Well ...” What did these two formidable men not wish to discuss? They’d both denied animosity while projecting a boatload of it. “For starters, I’ve met you both.”
His frown deepened, but he motioned to the other students with a tilt of his chin. “Go. Learn. The faster you do, the safer you’ll be. The world as you know it is soon to change.”
“More cryptic words. Great.” There’d been so many already. “Quick question first. Is my mom’s friend really namedBeeeep?”
For the second time, I was pretty sure he almost smiled. “Just as you see blurry faces, you will hear a sound rather than names, unless told by the person in question. Another security measure.”
Ah. Made sense. Mostly.
“Hey, new girl. Your instructor is here, and we’re about to start. Join us.”
The familiar voice drew my gaze, and I snorted. Ember herself stood at the tree, ready to begin. Like Domino, she wore a crimson robe made of the finest fabric trimmed in gold.
“Thank you,” I told Dom, reaching out to clasp and squeeze his hand. “For everything.”
Manner suddenly as sharp as ice, he slid his eyes to our joined hands, silent and still. Oops. I’d made an obvious blunder. Touched an elite without permission.
“Apologies,” I muttered, severing contact and turning sharply. I forced the librarian from my thoughts and bounded over to stand beside my mother.
Leaning into me, she said, “Baby, this isBeeeep.” She motioned to the woman on her left. “Beeeep, this is Arden.”
“Hello,” we both said.Beeeep’sface remained blurry, and I believed mine remained blurred to her. What sound did she hear in place ofmyname?
