Page 35 of Kingdom of Today
He wanted me to cut the librarian from my life. Sever my connection to a good man who’d just done a very good thing. An ally who’d never lied to me. A mentor who shared the same goals as us.
“Mykal listened to Ember for several minutes before she ran from the bathroom,” Domino said. “She’s panicked, but she’ll continue to consider everything she heard. We’ll keep tabs on her, and at the right time, Ember will approach her again.”
I knew the process—I hadlivedthe process. It had taken Ember multiple encounters to reach me. But Domino was right. I had continued to consider her words, never able to escape them.
“Thank you,” I breathed.
He hesitated before reaching over to give my hand an awkward pat. His fingers misted through mine, but the gesture wasn’t lost on me. “There’s still no need to thank me for doing my job,” he said, then paused. “But you are most welcome, Arden.”
Only six words, yet a strange little blip went off in my heart, as if our friendship had just deepened.
Cyrus wasn’t going to like this, but I didn’t send Domino away.
The remainder of the week passed without incident or a new message from Cyrus. Not even a visit. My teammates acted as if I no longerexisted. A development that stung, I admit. But Domino came to see me often.
Every time we were together, I reconsidered Cyrus’s request. But even the thought of disassociating with Domino caused a terrible anxiety to seize me, and I never spoke the words. The high prince had to be wrong about this. Soldiers in a war shouldn’t treat their allies like enemies.
Right now, Domino sat at the edge of my bed, lost in his head, his quiet presence a welcome peace in my small cell. Though he was as insubstantial as mist, I swore I detected that incredible rain-and-soil scent, as if he’d sprung from the land itself.
I perched at my desk. “Hey, Winslet,” I called as she strode past.
She gave a half-hearted wave and hurried on.
Miller wasn’t far behind her. I called out a greeting to him too. He, at least, stopped. “You should have expected this, Roosa. You had insider information, and you denied it. If you’d just told us the truth, we would’ve heeded you.”
“I—”
“Nope, I’m not interested in a conversation.” Off he stalked.
I worked my jaw and moved to the bed to sit beside the librarian, my second reader in hand. I started to type, then worried someone might read the words even if I didn’t push send, and set the reader aside. How to ask him questions while my guards maintained their posts outside my door?
“CURED only logs what you send,” Domino assured me, understanding my hesitation.
Thank goodness. I reclaimed the reader and typed a message.
My teammates treat me as if I’m infected.
“They envy you,” Domino said. “Your star is on the rise. You have what they want, yet they can see no way to get it, so they lash out.”
Delete. Type.
That doesn’t make it hurt any less.
“True, but their approval isn’t a requirement for your happiness. You are making a difference in the world. You helped Mykal more than you know. She approached the Rock of her own volition yesterday and asked for Ember. Don’t worry, we hid her from CURED’s cameras,” he added when my spine jerked ramrod straight. “I apologize for not telling you sooner. I’ve been ... gathering my thoughts.”
No need to apologize. I understand. And thank you. I appreciate all you’re doing. Made any headway recovering Cyrus’s missing memories?
“Not yet. The answers are in his books, but he’s having trouble decoding.” Domino stood and moved to the cell bars, halfway in, halfway out, and peered straight ahead. “Your trip to Theirland approaches.”
Yes, tomorrow I would travel to Astan’s homeland. I intended to find a way to sabotage the god’s access to Cyrus once and for all. We could have our happily ever after.
And just like that, my mind circled me back to the high prince’s confession. How he loved me. Loved, meaning felt deep affection for. Total devotion. Could I risk everything and let myself fall for him?
Despite being ghosted, I adored him, craved his nearness, and admired his strength and confidence. I believed we had a future. In fact, not too long ago, Victors had told me I would marry Cyrus. A revelation I’d never forgotten but had rarely allowed myself to consider.
The Soalian leader had proclaimed,Who wouldn’t want to speak with the much-desired wife of the high prince? Though I suppose you are merely his future much-desired wife at this point.
If I married Cyrus, we wouldn’t war with each other. Crisis averted.
