Page 64 of Kingdom of Tomorrow
He didn’t explain. Instead, he released me and put up the supplies. “We’ll talk on our date.”
“But—”
Dr. Korey opened a door and stuck out her head, her gaze zeroing in on me as if she’d known I was here. “Don’t you have somewhere to be, Lady Roosa?”
“My hand. Cuts.” I showed her the bandage. A bell sounded, signaling the start of my evaluation. “But yes, you’re right, I do have somewhere to be.” I glanced at Shiloh.
“I won’t forget to send the HP a note about your tardiness,” he assured me, as if all were normal.
“Thank you.” I zipped off, unsure how to feel about our interaction. He’d calledCuredevil. Something only Soalians did.
“—practice the art of the attack,” the HP was telling the class when I slipped into the room. His cheek was no longer covered by a bandage. A large scab marred the center of his brand. “I will make the rounds and ask questions about your performance in Theirland. You will answer.”
He offered no rebuke, just motioned me over, where an unoccupied punching bag hung in a row of twenty.
He positioned himself behind me, quietly asking, “What did you do to your hand?”
“Cuts. You’ll get a note from—”
“I know how the system works,” he interjected. “You’re good?”
I almost believed he cared. Yes, almost. “I am, thank you.” Resentment dripped from the words, and I couldn’t hide it. “What would you like to know about Theirland?”
“We’ve already discussed it.” His voice hardened as he commanded, “Work on your technique. When you go on the offensive, strike first and strike hard.”
“Sir, yes, sir.” I executed a punch.
He readjusted my position and helped me execute several dirty jabs, the warmth of his palms a shock. “If there’s something you’d like to tell me, Pink, do it. Speak.”
What a loaded command. Uttered in his low, husky tone, no less. I opened and closed my mouth, but only little noises escaped. I wanted to say a thousand things, but none of them were wise.
“Never mind. If you aren’t brave enough to admit it, I don’t want to hear it.” Cyrus strode off, leaving me baffled. And frustrated. My cauldron threatened to boil over.
The rest of class passed in a blur, my head filling up with a thousand different possibilities about what he’d meant. When the bell rang, he announced, “Tutoring won’t begin until tomorrow.” Then he left. Which was fine. Whatever.
I directed my attention elsewhere, rolling thoughts about Theirland through my mind as I ate lunch, completed Madness Basics, and took my first driving class. The realm was dangerous and shrouded in mystery. Someone lived in a well-lit castle. There was no evidence of the Rock, yet the streets were overrun with feeders in far worse condition than anyone in Ourland. Sometimes, berries grew on the ground, rather than the top of the Rock.
Maybe there was a piece of the Rock hidden in Theirland. I mean, the maddened loved the Rock. Surely the maddened in Theirland weren’t content to live without it.
I pondered the disparity while I pretended to read about vehicle safety features. Also while barons escorted us inside to run drills. My thoughts only switched gears when I realized Jericho was nowhere to be found. In fact, Mykal was MIA too.
Rather than hang out with my team during free time, I holed up in my cell to think. But honestly, after only a few minutes, I gave up. I’d used up the last of my daily allotment of intelligence, my brain tired.
Stretched out on my bed, I traced different phrases carved into the wall.
Let theCuredrule
The Kingdom isOurs
Born of Champions
Your Tomorrow Depends on Your Today
Welcome the Wisdom that Comes
We are theCureandCured
They Will Fall, We Will Rise
