Page 11 of Kingdom of Tomorrow
He stopped at the spot he’d vacated. “Get up,” he told his seatmate, his firm tone permitting no argument.
“Oh, he doesn’t have to—” I began.
“Yes, he does.” He kept his focus on his friend. “Get up, Roman.”
With a snort, the guy complied, standing. “Fine. But only because I love you. Maybe also because I’m insanely curious.” He was a few inches shorter than Shiloh, with double the muscle mass. I’d bet he was a couple of years younger. His jovial manner suggested he wasn’t upset with his friend or the situation. Beneath the joviality, however, was the kind of sharpness I’d only ever seen in soldiers.
Shiloh released my hand and shifted, allowing me to slip into the vacated seat. He plopped beside me and settled my bag onto his lap. For the first time in forever, I kind of wanted to drape myself over another person. Anything to absorb a smidge of his strength.
“I planned to find you during my next leave,” he admitted. “I owe you a food and/or a drink and/or both, and I always pay my debts. And I’m beyond thrilled to see you. I am. But you shouldn’t be here. What occurred yesterday is child’s play compared to what soldiers encounter daily.”
I took no offense. Truth was truth. “My mother was destined for Gradon. I did what was necessary to keep her safe.”
“Ah. I understand.” He scrubbed his palm over his face. “She’s your best friend. I remember.”
Exactly.
“I’m Roman, in case you missed my name,” the friend piped up, giving me a mock half bow. Well, as much of a bow as he could manage, squeezed into a crowd. “NotRome. NotRomey.Roman. I’m Little Boy’s neighbor.”
I snorted. “I’m Arden.”
“Yeah. I figured. You’re the gardener who looks like a doll and gives good conversation.” Roman snickered as Shiloh pinched the bridge of his nose. “Trust me, I heard all about you last night.”
My attention whipped to Shiloh, the corners of my mouth twitching. “A doll, huh.”
“That’s not—well, yeah, it’s what I said, but in my defense, you do.” He skipped to the next topic with a nod to the beautiful girl at Roman’s side.“This is Mykal Ellison. She’s from mine and Roman’s building, here for a similar reason as you. She is, quote, unquote, ‘screaming on the inside.’”
“Hi,” she said with an upbeat wave. “I’m sure you and I will be great friends. Unless you hurt him.” She hiked her thumb at Shiloh. “Then we’ll become mortal enemies, and I’ll be forced to ruin you.”
“Noted.” I liked her. She was loyal and protective, and I commiserated with her greatly. “Are you two ...” I pointed between her and Roman.
Both of them recoiled. “Ew. No!” Mykal wrinkled her nose. “He’s like an annoying brother to me.”
Roman nodded in total agreement. “Don’t worry, she seems as mean as a rattlesnake, but she’s all hiss and no fangs.” He rubbed his fist into the crown of Mykal’s head. As she sputtered and batted at him, he easily subdued her.
“See!” she huffed. “Annoying.”
“That one is pure panther,” he said, motioning to Shiloh and wiggling his brows.
“Please. I’m a domesticated cat, and you know it,” Shiloh corrected without heat.
Roman groaned. “Dude. Don’t compare yourself to a house kitty. Help me help you win the girl.”
Shiloh half stood and drove his knuckles into his friend’s bicep. “Better?”
As Roman acted as if he’d been smacked with a tank, I chuckled.
Their camaraderie surprised me. In a day and age when anyone could turn on you at any time, such ease was rare. I don’t think I’d ever truly relaxed, not even with my mother. Maybe once with my dad, after he’d defended me from a maddened, but he walked out on Mom and me when we’d needed him most.
I gripped my knees and gazed out the window, forcing the hated memory to retreat. Huge statues of human-animal hybrids peppered the land, each from Theirland. The structures complemented the colossal crystal palaces, also from Theirland, but clashed with everything else.Every so often, I spotted a tree, and the sightings thrilled me. I’d never been this far south before.
When the bus stopped at a security checkpoint, I blinked, only then plugging in to the present. A sea of glistening crimson sand stretched beyond the windowpane, framed by a tall wire fence. Armed guards marched here and there.
An invisible knife twisted in my chest. Fort Bala.
We had arrived.
“There you are,” Shiloh said, relieved. The bus eased up a glittery yellow path.
