Page 124 of Kingdom of Tomorrow
My companion sighed. “He had to perform expert tricks to lose his guard and visit me here. Told me you were mourning and hardening to challenge and that when you and I next came together, you wouldn’t be the same. He also said I wouldn’t be the same, either, and we’d both realize we weren’t suited for each other. Now, here we are. A guy I really wish I could hate but can only admire nailed it.”
Tears burned my eyes as I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and hugged him. “You’re pretty dreamy, too, you know.”
“Even with the patch?” He gently stroked the pads of his fingers over the material.
“Especially with the patch.”
As I pulled away smiling, he said, “Don’t beat yourself up about my poor battered heart. I’ll recover, I promise. And honestly, there’s no reason to worry about the HP’s feelings for you. My guess is he’s trying to give you space to process my return.”
I truly hoped that was the crux of it. “In your letter to me, you mentioned two words that Soal spoke to you. How they changed the trajectory of your entire life.” At long last, I asked, “What were the two words?”
“I’ll tell you when the time is right.” Shiloh waved to my book. “Right now, I want to help you keep your mother safe. You’ve got me for another half hour, so use me.”
I didn’t push because I had no right to do so. “Give me a minute to scan this.” He nodded, and I dove into the “story,” letting the text remind me of the details. And it was odd reliving my past self in written form, as if it was authored by someone else. I logged the facts, then dove deeper, searching for a key. Any key. “Help,” I squeaked. “How am I supposed to know what’s important and what’s not?”
Shiloh didn’t miss a beat. “Explain what happened.”
Okay. “I walked in the door. Mom blew a horn and tossed confetti. I confessed my acceptance into Fort Bala Royal Academy. She offered to complain toCured, but I declined. I claimed it was a good thing, that I would now have a chance to obliterate my nightmares. She blamedherself for my predicament, professed fear for my life, and suggested we go on the run. Oh! Maybe I’m supposed to get her and go on the run. Although, my boast.Nothing gets in the way of my dream, not even death.What if I’mnotsupposed to flee? What if she dies if I don’t?”
“Ember tells us to never venture into a rabbit hole. The foxes lie in wait.”
In other words, calm down. Easier said than done. I jumped to my feet and began to pace parallel to the table. “Imustfigure out if I’m supposed to run or stay. Unless escaping isn’t even the question.”
Cyrus burst into the room, his expression grave. He no longer held his book but a necklace with a small metal star hanging from the center.
I froze, my heart racing. “You learned something.”
He gave a clipped nod and fit the necklace around his neck. “I know how to remove your mother fromCuredcrosshairs.”
No need to think about it. “I’m ready,” I said, closing my book and jumping to my feet. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Thirty-One
A fool’s mouth will usher in his destruction, his words an unavoidable snare.
—The Book of Soal1.20.18.7
I worked to control my breathing as Cyrus led me through a maze of hallways, reading nooks, storage rooms, and exhibits. We still sported our party clothes, unwilling to stop and change. Not that our appearance garnered much interest. Few Soalians noticed us. They were busy rushing in the other direction, assembling weapons on the go, as if they were headed to a different battle.
“Tell me what you read,” I pleaded.
“I first opened the book six months ago, but I’ve only deciphered a few passages. The newest snippet featured a heavily redacted scene from the future.” Tone flat, he told me, “My father has done something terrible to certain trainees and knights to ensure they obey the worst of his commands. At some point, he leads this group into your mother’s building. Unless we get there first.”
“Hurry!” I pumped my arms faster, increasing my speed.
We entered a narrow hallway. “The guard I sent to protect your mom is working for my father,” Cyrus continued. “He has orders to incapacitate you if you show up. I’m not expected.”
My heartbeat quickened. “So the plan is, we take out the guard and move my mom into the library.”
“She can’t access the library, which is the sole doorway. Even if she manages to bypass the stone, the librarians will stop her.”
“She’ll become Soalian. She wants to.” Guilt threatened to weigh me down. Twice I’d convinced her not to travel the very path she’d needed. “Maybe she and I can share a room.”
“Even if she’s allowed to stay, you can’t. You have orders to return to Fort Bala.”
“People will learn what I am—whatweare—when we snatch my mom from the guard.”
“We’ll think of something. I won’t allow harm to come to either of you.”
