Page 113 of Kingdom of Tomorrow
Here goes.“Speaking of the Rock, I’ve always wondered how it grows flowers without soil.” Not even Countess Dills was safe from my probing.
Like Count Folley, she blinked at me. “That isn’t something we’ve figured out yet.” A slight inflection of strain infiltrated her voice. “As you probably know, testing is limited for the safety of all mankind.”
“I’m sure you’ve considered propagating the buds in a contained area.”
“Yes, but it’s an impossible endeavor, considering the buds die as soon as they’re plucked,” she said, stumbling over her words. Not used to being grilled about her job after hours? “If you’ll excuse me, I see Cloward Bosworth.” Off she went, leaving me stewing in a fresh cauldron of frustration.
“Perfect timing,” Cyrus muttered. “I’ve been summoned.” He navigated the throng, bringing us to his father, who stood beside a stunning thirtysomething woman with a killer smile. “Arden, you know my father, Tagin. This is Madison, his wife.”
The woman who’d supposedly read my paper. “Hello. So wonderful to meet you,” I said.
“Wonderful to meet you, as well,” she replied with a welcoming grin.
“I’m told we have something in common,” I began, gearing up to grill her about soil and seeds.
“Oh?” Her brows furrowed together, a line forming between them.
“Madison wishes to know how you rate Cyrus as an instructor,” the king—Tagin—interjected with ease.
Talk about smooth. “He’s harsh but fair. Kind of dreamy.” The words slipped out before I could stop them, and I winced. “But. I mean. He is.” We were officially dating now, and I didn’t really care what anyone thought about the matter.
Madison laughed, while Tagin maintained a neutral expression.
“It pleased me to hear Cyrus assigned a guard to your mother,” Tagin stated with his usual politeness. “I’ve been in touch, and he assures me she’s doing well.”
I went cold inside, certain I’d detected a threat hidden within his words. That if I persisted with my investigation,Curedwould use my mother to punish me. But. No way he’d suggested such a thing.
But what if he had?
No, no. Cyrus hadn’t reacted in the slightest, and he would’ve reacted. Unless his love for his father clouded his judgment and he’d missed the warning.
I gulped.
The questions I’d planned to ask Madison died a swift death. In the name of damage control, I rested my palm against Cyrus’s heart and offered a sickly-sweet smile. “Hopefully the guard is as diligent with my mother as I am with your son.” A threat of my own. Not that I would ever harm Cyrus, but a point had to be made.Touch what’s mine, and I’ll take what’s yours.
Cyrus tightened his hold on my waist. “Heads will roll if any harm comes to your mother.”
Oooh. Maybe he had detected the threat. Because he’d just issued one of his own.
“Your concern is unnecessary,” Tagin said, giving nothing away. “Stop by in the morning, Arden. I have a proposition for you. Something that will thrill you.” He shifted his gaze to his son. “You are invited, too, of course.”
Clear commands, not requests. Cyrus nodded.
I flashed an unconvincing smile and muttered, “How exciting.” What kind of proposition?
All girlfriend-like, I clasped Cyrus’s hand and signed the wordgo. Surely he understood.
He lifted our joined hands to his cheek and nuzzled. “I could use some fresh air.”
“Me too.” Excellent. He’d understood his assignment. That alone did wonders for my disposition.
The king blinked at us. “You let her touch your brand.”
“Did I?” Cyrus responded and led me away. “I’ll take you to my father’s office for fresh air. There’s a balcony.”
Ideas percolated, generating new excitement. “I’m suddenly very glad you shared the dirty tricks of the B and E trade.”
“You’re about to be gladder. While you were sleeping, I met with him in there, and he stored a chip I’d like to read.”
