Page 109 of Kingdom of Tomorrow
“Fair enough.” He closed his eyes and rested the back of his head against the highest part of the couch. The petting gradually ceased. A long while passed, and I suspected he’d fallen asleep. Understandable. The more time that ticked by, the heavier my eyelids became.
Even with the perils of our situation; the sudden, unexplained breakings; and my encounter with the Rock, I couldn’t imagine Cyrusattacking me. Especially shocking, considering my vulnerable state. Maybe I was riding too high on the waves of confidence. Perhaps I was drunk on the joy and peace Soal had showered upon me. Or maybe a part of me trusted Cyrus more than I’d realized. Whatever the reason, I stayed put.
He rewarded me, murmuring, “I’m going to tell you another secret.”
Not asleep, after all. My heart thumped. “Yes. Please do.”
He grazed my cheek with his thumb. “When I was a little boy, I witnessed a feeder beat my mother to death.”
Horror delivered a one-two punch, waking me hard and fast. “Cyrus, that’s awful.”
“It was. He beat me first and left us both to die. I crawled to her as soon as he fled and stretched out beside her as she breathed her last. Afterward, I couldn’t bring myself to let go. I kept replaying words she’d said earlier that day.Never ignore a possibility.”
Tears stung my eyes. I had a store of them at the ready today. I ached for the child he’d been and the childhood he’d lost. “She sounds very wise.”
“She was.” A sad smile lifted the corners of his mouth as he grazed the pad of his thumb beneath each of my eyes, collecting the moisture. “Do you know what I think about every time I look at you, Lady Arden Dawn Pink Bubble Gum Kitten Buttercup Roosa?”
“Please, tell me,” I said, frantic to learn.
“Possibilities,” he replied, drifting to sleep at last, his breaths evening out.
Dazed, I lay still, quiet, and utterly tormented. He saw possibilities in me. I might see a future with him. I liked him. A lot. He encouraged me, helped me, built me up, and always told the truth. Kissing him again was a must. And for the first time in my life, I wasn’t afraid of the future. Despite my uncertainty, the investigation, and my latest dealings with Soal, I carried hope.
“Mine,” Cyrus muttered, tightening his hold on me.
My eyes drifted shut. I snuggled closer, reveling in the headiness and joy of being his. It wasn’t long before a sweet cloud settled over my entire being and carried me away.
“Wake up, sleeping beauty.”
The amused voice tugged me from a deep slumber. I blinked open my eyes, realization dawning. I stretched out upon a sun-drenched couch. Cyrus leaned over me, one hand braced on an armrest. He’d showered and dressed in a crisp white T-shirt and well-worn jeans. Combat boots adorned his feet. He was casual and beautiful, and I thrilled at the sight of him.
“How do you feel?” I asked, stretching sore muscles.
“Like I’ve been chewed up and spit out.” A wide smile bloomed. “Someone slept draped across me.”
“Oops,” I muttered.
“I liked it.”
I ignored the instant fluttering in my stomach. And the fact that I still had no shirt, only my bra. Did he recall what he’d said last night?
Wait. “I slept out in the open,” I stated, astonished. “With you.”
“You did. Guess that means you trust me.”
Did I detect a note of smug satisfaction in his words?
“Now it’s time to rise and shine.” Merciless, he ripped off my blanket and tugged me to my feet.
“Okay, okay. Hint taken. I’ll tend to your wound.”
“No need. I cleaned and rebandaged it after I showered.” He wrapped his arms around me.
“So what’s the hurry?” I grumbled, toying with the ends of his hair.
“We’ll get to that. First, you’ll be glad to know there was a surprisingly low number of casualties last night, with no new outbreaks this morning.Curedhas ordered a two-day lock-in.”
Two days. Stuck inside with Cyrus and numerous higher-ups ofCured. An opportunity rife with possibilities. “HasCuredstated an official cause for the breaks?”
