Page 87 of Kingdom of Today
I sashayed off, expecting Cyrus to release my hand. To my amusement, he gave a little yank and spun me back into him. Impact pushed a laugh from my parted lips.
Expression fierce enough to startle, he commanded, “Stay where I can see you.” He used a hard tone I’d never heard before, and it took the fun out of the exchange.
I gave a terse nod. “Sir, yes, sir.”
He released me, and I pivoted, striding off. My heels clacked against the hard floor as I worked to school my troubled expression. The center statue drew my gaze. Those flowers. The petals appeared as soft as velvet, and my hands itched to touch.
Roman noticed my approach and did his best to sober up as he elbowed the two trainees standing with him. Acting as though we were bosom buddies and he hadn’t ended a man’s life mere hours ago, he looked me up and down and wiggled his brows. “If I had realized you cleaned up this nicely, I would’ve won you over before the HP had a chance.”
His words inspired my second eye roll of the evening. “You could’ve tried,” I retorted, and his companions scoffed.
Unoffended, he blew me a kiss and winked. “It’s easy for you to dismiss my prowess when you’ve yet to experience its potency.”
His boast earned fresh snickers from our audience.
I couldn’t quite pin down how I felt about these guys, especially Roman. But. The bed-hopper was an expert at acquiring information. “Have you heard anything about Winslet’s condition?”
He waved a hand through the air, dismissing my concerns. “She’s fine. Only had a few scratches.”
Um, had we not participated in the same blood battle? She’d had far more than scratches, thanks to a bullet and an arrow. “I got an up-close view of her injuries. If they weren’t kill shots, they were the next best thing.” And yes, I believed in instant healing. Look at what Ember had done for me. But she was a conduit for Soal. Those aligned with CURED were not.
“Either way, Emperor Dolion has access to special medications and treatments.” Roman hiked his shoulders, the incongruity of his words escaping him once again. “I don’t know the nitty-gritty details, but Idid see Winslet walking around. Hey, look at this guy and tell me if you see a resemblance.” He hiked his thumb at the statue of a man reaching for the orb.
I frowned as the statue’s features maybe kinda sorta shifted before my eyes, molding into a profile similar to Roman’s. One of the creepiest things I’ve ever seen.
“I’d like a word with you, Arden.”
The familiar enunciation came from behind me, just as it had done before dinner with the emperor. Roman and the other trainees backed off in a hurry as I faced Felix.
I inclined my head in greeting. “May I inquire about the subject?”
“You may not.” He offered me his elbow. “Come.” An undeniable command.
Great. I glanced at Cyrus, or tried to. He and Lolli were gone. So much for remaining in his line of sight. Clinging to my fraying calm, I accepted the high prince’s arm. “I’m glad you and Cyrus set aside your differences to aid each other.”
“I’ve always loved my brother. I have no wish to harm him.” He guided me forward, snagging a glass from a tray and passing it to me. “This is a special kind of champagne. Taste it.”
Trying to unpack his words for any hidden meaning, I accepted the beverage and took the smallest sip, marveling at the effervescence. I told myself I’d had enough, that I should consume no more, yet I took another sip. And another.
“Good, yes?” he asked with a hint of satisfaction.
“Beyond.” Before I knew it, I’d finished the entire glass. A huge mistake. In seconds, the bubbles migrated to my brain, and my head swam in an ocean of silliness.
“I’ve always loved my brother,” Felix repeated, then dipped his head closer to mine and lowered his volume. “You, I’m not so enamored of.”
Rude. “Thankfully, I’m not dating you.” Maybe a second glass of champagne wouldn’t be amiss.
“Vyle believes you might be Soalian, but I disagree. I know a CURED handler when I see one.”
Me, a handler for CURED? I snorted. “You think I’m with Cyrus to spy for the emperor.” I wanted so badly to build my defense and list all the reasons the prince was mistaken. The champagne said, “A fabulous idea!” But I didn’t do it. I bit my tongue instead, refusing to elaborate and explain I loved Cyrus and would never betray him.
“I wanted you to know that I know.” Felix stopped before Briar Rose’s statue, acting as if he hadn’t just insulted me. “Tell me what you’ve heard about her.”
Wobbling on my feet, I looked up, up and took in her familiar delicate bone structure. Her high cheeks and elegant nose. Her full, heart-shaped lips and slender jaw.
“Not much,” I admitted. “Only that she is Astan’s wife and a grower.” And the ex-wife of Tsuri.
“To the people of Theirland, she was the equivalent of Mother Nature. A beloved caretaker of the earth and its blooms. Kind to many but savage when provoked. Astan touts her as the treasure of all treasures. The prize of all prizes.”
