Page 107 of Kingdom of Tomorrow
“Murderthe pain,” he commanded, and I almost laughed. Almost.
“What happened?” With quaking fingers, I administered the first injection, numbing the wound. From there, I cleaned the raw flesh with the proper chemicals and tried not to think or feel.
“A pack of feeders ambushed me.”
This occurred while Soal distracted me, no doubt. I just didn’t know if he’d done it on purpose or inadvertently. Either way, guilt flared, and I bit my cheek. “We should talk about what went down out there.”
Cyrus stiffened and shook his head. “We should, but not until tomorrow, after the drugs wear off.”
Were his words already slurring? “What if I break?” A very real possibility, considering my new obsession.
“I’m not worried, Arden.”
Not good enough. “You can’t be sure. Better safe than sorry.”
“Why are you so pretty?” he asked.
Oh, yeah, his words were definitely slurred. I tried not to smile as I secured the C2U—critical care unit—to speed up healing, then wrapped a bandage around him. And I did a danged good job, if I did say so myself. By morning, he should be much improved. Not fully healed, but on the path.
“Tell me what you like most about my prettiness.”
“Your kindness.”
No stopping my smile this time. “Let’s get you to bed. You can make that phone call before you pass out.” I moved to his side to act as his crutch.
“Help me to the couch and stay with me awhile,” he said, letting his weight rest against me.
“I’ll join you after I clean up our mess.”
He actually pouted, and it was adorable. “We’ll tidy up later.” Pause. “You have the most amazing smile,” he added with a drunken grin.
“Thank you.” I kissed his brand. “Come on, lover boy.” Though I strained under the burden of his weight, I got him to our destination without toppling.
He plopped onto a cushion and pulled me down with him, ensuring I stayed put. As he stretched out and rolled to his side, he pinned me between a soft throw pillow and his hard body. Skin to skin. Warmth to warmth. Strength to softness. A sense of connection instantly bloomed, deeper than any I’d previously experienced.
“Finally got you where I want you,” he murmured, smoothing the hair from my face.
“I could get away if I wanted,” I murmured back, while melting into him. No better way to make sure he didn’t start bleeding again than to stay right where I was.
As he made the call to inquire about my mother, he kept me tucked close. When he hung up, he filled me in. “She got scared and ran from him, but he tracked her chip and brought her back to her apartment building. She’s now safe and sound.”
Relief crested, only to crash and burn. Tracked. By her chip. Just like the one embedded in my palm. Just like those embedded in everyone else’s palms.
How easy citizens of the provinces were to find.Curedcould log every instance we neared the Rock or lingered a little too long. They could lock us out of any and every building or apartment, as they’d done to Mr. Garfield, the day before I’d left for the academy.
Unease prickled my skin. This was a complication I needed to consider. “Fair warning. I will be taking advantage of your temporary openness to pry into your secrets.” I flattened my palm over his pectoral to gauge the strength of his heartbeat. Fast but steady. Good.
“I expected that, kitten, and I’m prepared. Even drugged, I’ll resist temptation. Me warrior. No crack.” He pounded a fist against the pec not covered by my hand, reminding me of a big, strong gorilla. Then he winced, wringing a snicker from me.
“I’mkittennow?”
“Mmm hmm. Part of my bouquet. Maybe I should call youbuttercup.” He nuzzled my cheek. “I was teasing before, you know. I’ll tell you anything as long as you’re holding me just like this.”
Adorable man. “I was teasing before too. I won’t take advantage of you.” Even for answers.
“I’ll tell you a secret.” His expression turned wistful. “A year ago, a part of my book played on the surface of the Rock. My own personal movie. It showed me an event to come. You were in it, though we hadn’t even met.”
What! “You can’t stop there. Tell me more.”
