Page 54 of Kingdom of Tomorrow
The hardness of his tone told me I’d get no more answers. Fine. As I’d done thousands of times throughout my life, I dumped my emotions into the cauldron, sealed the lid, and forged ahead. “I declined, of course.”
“But you can’t stop thinking about what the Soalian said.” Rather than chastise me, he nodded. “Sometimes the enemy can make sense. It’s up to us to discern what’s accurate and what isn’t.”
I waited for him to say more. He didn’t.
“That’s your only response to my bombshell?” I demanded.
“Yes. Wear the transmitters in Theirland,” he said, changing the subject. “They’ll remain in place until you pull them off.”
“Won’t you get tired of being linked to me?” Of knowing every time my heartbeat sped up?
“No.” He offered the barest glimpse of his rare half smile. “I don’t think I will.”
Tendrils of something sharp but sweet tormented me oh, so good, and my heart rate sped up. He gave a rusty chuckle, proving he’d clocked it.
“I definitely won’t,” he said.
I didn’t know what to say or do; he was just so adorable right now, and it was confusing. I decided to change the subject. “Tell me what I need to do to get my mother moved to Bala City. She’s a hard worker, I promise. So dedicated! She loves children, and she’ll be an asset to whoever hires her.”
He shook his head. “Trust me when I say she’s better off where she is.”
“But—”
A door banged shut, and we went quiet. Archduke Heta and Duchess Mimidae entered the chamber with three soldiers trailing them. The guy who usually followed the archduke around, a young woman I’d seen in the halls, and Roman. The team leaders.
Roman noticed me with the HP and knit his brows together. I jumped away from Cyrus, as if I’d been caught doing something I shouldn’t.
“You okay?” Roman mouthed.
I nodded, mouthing back, “All good.” I’d reintroduce my mother’s move another day.
The HP waved Roman over, and the soldier jogged between the rifts, totally unfazed. He entered the glass room and saluted his superior. Something I’d forgotten to do. I winced. Even though Cyrus hadn’t complained about the lack, I gave a retroactive salute then and there.
The corners of his mouth inched up. “Things will be chaotic when we cross over. As the final two trainees in the welcome ring, I expect you both to go through first, recover quickly, and help the others as they arrive.”
Roman nodded, confident. “You can count on me, sir.”
“Yes. Me too.” I mimicked the nod and the confidence.
Hiking his thumb at me, Roman teased, “I hear she’s very brave.”
Fire flamed in my entire face, amplifying when Cyrus rolled his lips under his teeth to prevent another smile.
“I’ve heard the same,” he said. “Now go line up and wait for the others while I speak with the commanding officers.”
Chapter Fourteen
If you do not ask for what you need, how can you receive it?
—The Book of Soal2.20.4.2
“Is something going on between you and High Prince Dolion?” Roman asked as the rest of our team flooded into the room, lining up behind the rifts. “Be honest. I won’t be mad.”
“What? Him? Me?” I sputtered. I’d meant what I’d told Cyrus. Argh!The HP.He made me nervous, and I didn’t enjoy being nervous. My romantic interest centered around the very kind, very wonderful Shiloh. Who I hadn’t kissed when I’d had the chance. An occurrence I still didn’t comprehend. “He tested me for—” I gave Roman the look.You know.
“Ah. Yeah.” He compressed his lips. “Because of Shiloh, I bet. Dude’s been acting so weird lately. He was supposed to come with us today, but he’s been confined to his room for observation.”
Spending time confined to his room was a good thing. Maybe. Hopefully?Curedwould see he was a smart, capable man going through a tough thing, forced to change his life plan for his health.
